Therefore they set taskmasters over them to afflict them with their burdens. They built storage cities for Pharaoh: Pithom and Raamses.
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 11. Masters. Cruel like himself, who not only made them build without proper materials, (verse 14 and Calmet. 5:10. Bible.) but oppressed them with heavy burdens of brick and tile. Hence Aristophanes calls the Hebrews in derision Plinthophoroi. This servitude is styled the iron furnace of Egypt, Deuteronomy 4:20. Jeremiah 11:4.—Of tabernacles, or of storehouses. Challoner.—To keep his treasures, Chal. or “fortresses,” Septuagint It may also be the name of a city, Miscenoth. Calmet. 12:37. Phithom, perhaps the same as the town of Heroum, where the Septuagint say Joseph first met his father. Genesis 46:28. Ramesses was the capital, and situate in the Arabic nome. Calmet.