Adam Clarke's Bible Commentary Verse 6. The task-masters of the people and their officers] The task-masters were Egyptians, (see on "chap. i. 11",) the officers were Hebrews; see below "ver. 14". But it is probable that the task-masters chap. i. 11, who are called µysm yr sarey missim, princes of the burdens or taxes, were different from those termed taskmasters here, as the words are different; µygn nogesim signifies exactors or oppressors - persons who exacted from them an unreasonable proportion either of labour or money.
Officers. - µyrf shoterim; those seem to have been an inferior sort of officers, who attended on superior officers or magistrates to execute their orders. They are supposed to have been something like our sheriffs.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-9 - God will own his people, though poor and despised, and will find a tim to plead their cause. Pharaoh treated all he had heard with contempt He had no knowledge of Jehovah, no fear of him, no love to him, an therefore refused to obey him. Thus Pharaoh's pride, ambition covetousness, and political knowledge, hardened him to his ow destruction. What Moses and Aaron ask is very reasonable, only to go three days' journey into the desert, and that on a good errand. We wil sacrifice unto the Lord our God. Pharaoh was very unreasonable, in saying that the people were idle, and therefore talked of going to sacrifice. He thus misrepresents them, that he might have a pretence to add to their burdens. To this day we find many who are more disposed to find fault with their neighbours, for spending in the service of God few hours spared from their wordly business, than to blame others, wh give twice the time to sinful pleasures. Pharaoh's command wa barbarous. Moses and Aaron themselves must get to the burdens Persecutors take pleasure in putting contempt and hardship upo ministers. The usual tale of bricks must be made, without the usua allowance of straw to mix with the clay. Thus more work was to be lai upon the men, which, if they performed, they would be broken with labour; and if not, they would be punished.
Original Hebrew ויצו6680 פרעה6547 ביום3117 ההוא1931 את853 הנגשׂים5065 בעם5971 ואת853 שׁטריו7860 לאמר׃559
