Exodus 5:18-23

18 Go therefore now, and work, for no straw shall be given to you, yet shall you deliver the same number of bricks!"
19 The officers of the children of Yisra'el saw that they were in trouble, when it was said, "You shall not diminish anything from your daily quota of bricks!"
20 They met Moshe and Aharon, who stood in the way, as they came forth from Par`oh:
21 and they said to them, "May the LORD look at you, and judge, because you have made us a stench to be abhorred in the eyes of Par`oh, and in the eyes of his servants, to put a sword in their hand to kill us."
22 Moshe returned to the LORD, and said, "Lord, why have you brought trouble on this people? Why is it that you have sent me?
23 For since I came to Par`oh to speak in your name, he has brought trouble on this people; neither have you delivered your people at all."

Exodus 5:18-23 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO EXODUS 5

Moses and Aaron go in to Pharaoh, and desire leave for the children of Israel to go into the wilderness three days' journey, to sacrifice to the Lord, and are answered in a very churlish and atheistical manner, and are charged with making the people idle, the consequence of which was, the taskmasters had orders, to make their work more heavy and toilsome, Ex 5:1-9 which orders were executed with severity by them, Ex 5:10-13, upon which the officers of the children of Israel complained to Pharaoh, but to no purpose, Ex 5:14-19, and meeting with Moses and Aaron, lay the blame upon them, Ex 5:20,21, which sends Moses to the Lord to expostulate with him about it, Ex 5:22,23.

The Hebrew Names Version is in the public domain.