'Harshness' in the Bible
They made their lives bitter with hard labor in mortar, brick, and all kinds of field work. All their labor was harsh and severe.
You shall not rule over him with harshness (severity, oppression), but you are to fear your God [with profound reverence].
You may even bequeath them as an inheritance to your children after you, to receive as a possession; you can use them as permanent slaves. But in respect to your fellow countrymen, the children of Israel, you shall not rule over one another with harshness (severity, oppression).
Like a man hired year by year he shall deal with him; he shall not rule over him with harshness in your sight.
You have not strengthened those who are weak, you have not healed the sick, you have not bandaged the crippled, you have not brought back those gone astray, you have not looked for the lost; but you have ruled them with force and violence.