Exodus 5:12-22

12 So the people scattered throughout the land of Egypt, to gather stubble for straw.

13 The taskmasters were urgent, saying, "Complete your work, the same daily assignment as when you were given straw."

14 And the supervisors of the Israelites, whom Pharaoh's taskmasters had set over them, were beaten, and were asked, "Why did you not finish the required quantity of bricks yesterday and today, as you did before?"

15 Then the Israelite supervisors came to Pharaoh and cried, "Why do you treat your servants like this?

16 No straw is given to your servants, yet they say to us, "Make bricks!' Look how your servants are beaten! You are unjust to your own people."

17 He said, "You are lazy, lazy; that is why you say, "Let us go and sacrifice to the Lord.'

18 Go now, and work; for no straw shall be given you, but you shall still deliver the same number of bricks."

19 The Israelite supervisors saw that they were in trouble when they were told, "You shall not lessen your daily number of bricks."

20 As they left Pharaoh, they came upon Moses and Aaron who were waiting to meet them.

21 They said to them, "The Lord look upon you and judge! You have brought us into bad odor with Pharaoh and his officials, and have put a sword in their hand to kill us."

22 Then Moses turned again to the Lord and said, "O Lord, why have you mistreated this people? Why did you ever send me?

Exodus 5:12-22 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.

Footnotes

• [a]. Gk Compare Syr Vg: Heb [beaten, and the sin of your people]