Exodus 5:5-15

5 And Pharaoh said , Behold, the people of the land now are many, and ye make them rest from their burdens.

6 And Pharaoh commanded the same day the taskmasters of the people, and their officers , saying ,

7 Ye shall no more give the people straw to make brick, as heretofore * : let them go and gather straw for themselves.

8 And the tale of the bricks, which they did make heretofore *, ye shall lay upon them; ye shall not diminish ought thereof: for they be idle ; therefore they cry , saying , Let us go and sacrifice to our God.

9 Let there more work be laid upon the men, that they may labour therein; and let them not regard vain words.

10 And the taskmasters of the people went out , and their officers , and they spake to the people, saying , Thus saith Pharaoh, I will not give you straw.

11 Go ye, get you straw where ye can find it: yet not ought of your work shall be diminished .

12 So the people were scattered abroad throughout all the land of Egypt to gather stubble instead of straw.

13 And the taskmasters hasted them, saying , Fulfil your works, your daily tasks, as when there was straw.

14 And the officers of the children of Israel, which Pharaoh's taskmasters had set over them, were beaten , and demanded , Wherefore have ye not fulfilled your task in making brick both yesterday and to day, as heretofore *?

15 Then the officers of the children of Israel came and cried unto Pharaoh, saying , Wherefore dealest thou thus with thy servants?

Exodus 5:5-15 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.