Exodus 5:18-23

18 Now get to work. You will not be given any straw, yet you must produce your full quota of bricks.”
19 The Israelite overseers realized they were in trouble when they were told, “You are not to reduce the number of bricks required of you for each day.”
20 When they left Pharaoh, they found Moses and Aaron waiting to meet them,
21 and they said, “May the LORD look on you and judge you! You have made us obnoxious to Pharaoh and his officials and have put a sword in their hand to kill us.”
22 Moses returned to the LORD and said, “Why, Lord, why have you brought trouble on this people? Is this why you sent me?
23 Ever since I went to Pharaoh to speak in your name, he has brought trouble on this people, and you have not rescued 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.

Cross References 7

  • 1. S Genesis 15:13
  • 2. S Genesis 16:5
  • 3. S Genesis 34:30
  • 4. Exodus 16:3; Numbers 14:3; Numbers 20:3
  • 5. S Exodus 1:13; S Exodus 14:11
  • 6. Numbers 11:11; Deuteronomy 1:12; Joshua 7:7
  • 7. Jeremiah 4:10; Jeremiah 20:7; Ezekiel 14:9
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