(in the plur. עָרֵי מַסְכְּנות, cities of provisions, "store-cities," 1 Kings 9:19). Pithom and Raamses (q.v.) are mentioned in Exodus 1:11, as treasure-cities built by Pharaoh by the unpaid labor of the Hebrews; they were probably magazines or depots for the royal revenue (which was doubtless paid in kind), such as are intimated in Genesis 41:48; see 48:26. The Jewish kings had similar places of public deposit (2 Chronicles 8:4; 2 Chronicles 8:6; 2 Chronicles 16:4; 2 Chronicles 17:2). (See TREASURE).