Taskmasters] Heb. Masters of tribute: which may be exacted as well in worke as in money. Afflict them with their burdens] This God foretold Abraham, Genesis 15:13. the cause whereof, was not meerely the suspition, subtiltie and malignitie of Pharaoh, and his People: but it is like, the Israelites procured this unto themselves by their provocations of God, by their Idolatries: as appeareth by Joshua 24:14 Ezek. 20. 7, 8 9. and chap 23. 3. treasure cities] Cities of Tabernacles, as the vulgar Latine turnes the Hebrew word, mis chenoth, which may be rendered rather, Repositories: and they might be Storehouses of Artillery, Granaries for Corn, and Treasuries for royall and publique riches: but certaine it is that the Egyptians imployed the Israelites, in raising so many and so great buildings, (whether of Cities, Castles, or Treasuries) as might still keep them in a painfull, and servile condition. Pithom and Ramesis] Two cities situate in the confines of the kingdome: and for the latter, it is to be observed, that there was a part of the countrey of Egypt, called the land of Remesis, which was given to the Israclites by Pharaoh, (for their possession) at their entrance into Egypt. Genesis 47:11. called the best of the land: there they built a citi, and called it by the name of the whole Countrey: because it was the best part of the land of Egypt, Genesis 47:11. Or Moses might give it the name, which it had when he wrote his History, though it might be called by another name, when it was built: some take it for a citie called Pelusium, different from Ramesis forementioned: Genesis 47.