The Date. The exact period at which the Hebrews became slaves in Egypt cannot be determined with any degree of accuracy; however, we know that it was after the death of Joseph ( Exodus 1:5-14 ).
Subtracting this from the entire time of the "sojourn" ( Exodus 12:40Exodus 12:41 ; Galatians 3:17 ), we have the result one hundred forty-four years. (430-286 = 144).
It is probable that these figures represented more than the actual time of their servitude.
Its Bitterness. Their servitude was unparalleled for bitterness and exaction ( Exodus 1:9-14 ). In addition to hard and unrequited labor, the heartless ruler published an edict that all of the male children should be destroyed at birth, and inaugurated vigorous methods to carry it out ( Exodus 1:15-22 ).