Forced labor required by a feudal overlord or government, usually for the construction of public works. The Israelite "slavery" in Egypt could be described this way (Ex 1:11), as could David's use of Canaanite and foreign labor (2 Sam 20:24) and Solomon's conscription of Israelites (1 Kgs 5:13-14; 9:15).
This page is part of the Hypertext Bible Commentary - Amos,
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