task´mas - ter . ( מס שׂר , sar maṣ , "chief of the burden" or "levy" ( Exodus 1:11 ); נגשׂ , nōghēs , "distress," "driver," "oppressor," "raiser of taxes," "taskmaster" (Exodus 3:7; Exodus 5:6 , Exodus 5:10 , Exodus 5:13 , Exodus 5:14 )): Officials of this class seem to have been officially appointed by Pharaoh for the purpose of oppressing the Israelites and subduing their spirits, lest they seek complete independence or organize a rebellion against the government (Exodus 1:11 ). The condition of the Israelites at this time became one of complete vassalage or slavery, probably owing to the fact that the Hyksos were driven out and a new dynasty was established, which knew nothing of Joseph and his people.
The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE) was edited by James Orr, John Nuelsen, Edgar Mullins, Morris Evans, and Melvin Grove Kyle and was published complete in 1939. This web site includes the complete text.
WikipediaThe ISBE is a classic Bible reference compiled from nearly 10,000 entries written by over 200 different Bible scholars and teachers. In addition to the encyclopedia articles, all of the major words of the Bible are represented and defined.
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