What Did the Israelites Do While in Egypt?

What Did the Israelites Do While in Egypt?

During their time in Egypt, the Israelites initially lived freely but later became enslaved and were forced into hard labor. The Bible describes their work primarily in construction and brick-making under the oppression of the Pharaoh.

1. Shepherding and Farming (Before Enslavement)

  • When Joseph brought his family to Egypt, they settled in the land of Goshen, a fertile region suitable for raising livestock.
  • Genesis 47:6 – “The land of Egypt is before you; have your father and brothers settle in the best part of the land. Let them live in Goshen. And if you know of any among them with special ability, put them in charge of my own livestock.”
  • The Israelites continued their traditional work as shepherds, herdsmen, and farmers for some time.

2. Enslavement and Forced Labor (Under Pharaoh’s Oppression)

  • A later Pharaoh, who “did not know Joseph”, saw the Israelites as a threat because they had become numerous and strong (Exodus 1:8-10).
  • He enslaved them, forcing them into harsh labor.

Main Work of the Israelites as Slaves

  1. Brickmaking
    • Exodus 1:14 – “They made their lives bitter with hard labor in brick and mortar and with all kinds of work in the fields.”
    • The Israelites were forced to make bricks from mud and straw, a common building material in ancient Egypt.
    • Later, Pharaoh increased their workload by making them gather their own straw but still requiring the same brick production (Exodus 5:7-9).
  2. Building Pharaoh’s Cities
    • Exodus 1:11 – “So they put slave masters over them to oppress them with forced labor, and they built Pithom and Rameses as store cities for Pharaoh.”
    • The Israelites worked on massive construction projects, including storehouses, cities, and possibly temples for Pharaoh.
    • Some believe they might have worked on monuments, palaces, or irrigation canals, but the Bible specifically mentions store cities.
  3. Fieldwork and Agriculture
    • Exodus 1:14 also mentions their labor “in the fields.”
    • This could have included harvesting crops, digging irrigation canals, and maintaining farmland for Egyptian nobles and Pharaoh’s kingdom.

3. Oppression and Cry for Deliverance

  • Their work became increasingly unbearable, and they cried out to God for help (Exodus 2:23-25).
  • God heard their prayers and sent Moses to lead them out of Egypt, beginning the Exodus story.

Summary: What Did the Israelites Work On?

✔ Shepherding & Farming (at first, in Goshen)
✔ Brickmaking (mud & straw bricks)
✔ Building Store Cities (Pithom & Rameses)
✔ Agricultural Labor (fieldwork for Pharaoh’s economy)

The Israelites endured harsh slavery until God sent Moses to free them, leading to the great Exodus.

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