Exodus 5:6

6 That same day Pharaoh gave these orders to the slave drivers and foremen:

Exodus 5:6 Meaning and Commentary

Exodus 5:6

And Pharaoh commanded the same day the taskmasters of the
people
Who were Egyptians, and whom Pharaoh sent for the same day, to give them orders to oppress them yet more and more, so far was he from complying with their request:

[and] their officers;
who were Israelites, and were under the taskmasters, and accountable to them for each man's work that they had the inspection and care of:

saying,
as follows.

Exodus 5:6 In-Context

4 The king of Egypt said to them, "Moses and Aaron, why are you distracting the people from their work? Get back to work!"

5 Then Pharaoh added, "Look how many people there are in the land! Do you want them to quit working?"

6 That same day Pharaoh gave these orders to the slave drivers and foremen:

7 "Don't give the people any more straw to make bricks as you have been doing. Let them gather their own straw,

8 but insist that they make the same number of bricks they were making before. Making fewer bricks will not be acceptable. They're lazy! That's why they're crying, 'Let us go offer sacrifices to our God.'