Exodus 5:17-23

17 And he replied, Ye are idle, ye are idle, therefore ye say, Let us go and sacrifice unto the LORD.

18 Go therefore now and work, for no firewood shall be given you, yet ye shall deliver the tally of bricks.

19 Then the officers of the sons of Israel saw that they were afflicted after it was said, Ye shall not diminish any from the bricks of your daily quota.

20 And they met Moses and Aaron, who stood in the way, as they came forth from Pharaoh;

21 and they said unto them, The LORD look upon you and judge because ye have made our savour to be a stench before Pharaoh and his slaves, putting a sword in their hands to slay us.

22 Then Moses returned unto the LORD and said, Lord, why hast thou so afflicted this people? Why is it that thou hast sent me?

23 For since I came to Pharaoh to speak in thy name, he has afflicted this people; neither hast thou delivered thy people at all.

Exodus 5:17-23 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.