And Pharaoh commanded the same day the taskmasters of the people,.... Who were Egyptians, and whom Pharaoh sent for the same day, to give them orders to oppress them yet more and more, so far was he from complying with their request: and their officers; who were Israelites, and were under the taskmasters, and accountable to them for each man's work that they had the inspection and care of: saying, as follows.