Exodus 5:6

The taskmasters of the people. The word here translated “taskmasters” is not the same as that of Exodus 1:11, and probably designates another class of officers. The “taskmasters” of the former passage were the work superintendents, probably few in number and high in rank, whereas the “taskmasters” here were Egyptians of a lower rank and more numerous. The “officers,” literally, “scribes,” were undoubtedly Hebrews, as is evident from the expression “officers of the children of Israel” used in Exodus 5:14 and from the rough treatment they received. They were probably employed as foremen, and had to give an account of the work done.