Exodus 5:1-6

1 Afterward Moshe and Aharon came, and said to Par`oh, "This is what the LORD, the God of Yisra'el, says, 'Let my people go, that they may hold a feast to me in the wilderness.'"

2 Par`oh said, "Who is the LORD, that I should listen to his voice to let Yisra'el go? I don't know the LORD, and moreover I will not let Yisra'el go."

3 They said, "The God of the Hebrews has met with us. Please let us go three days' journey into the wilderness, and sacrifice to the LORD, our God, lest he fall on us with pestilence, or with the sword."

4 The king of Mitzrayim said to them, "Why do you, Moshe and Aharon, take the people from their work? Get back to your burdens!"

5 Par`oh said, "Behold, the people of the land are now many, and you make them rest from their burdens."

6 The same day Par`oh commanded the taskmasters of the people, and their officers, saying,

Exodus 5:1-6 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.