Exodus 5:6

6 The same day Pharaoh commanded the taskmasters of the people and their foremen,

Exodus 5:6 Meaning and Commentary

Exodus 5:6

And Pharaoh commanded the same day the taskmasters of the
people
Who were Egyptians, and whom Pharaoh sent for the same day, to give them orders to oppress them yet more and more, so far was he from complying with their request:

[and] their officers;
who were Israelites, and were under the taskmasters, and accountable to them for each man's work that they had the inspection and care of:

saying,
as follows.

Exodus 5:6 In-Context

4 But the king of Egypt said to them, "Moses and Aaron, why do you take the people away from their work? Get to your burdens."
5 And Pharaoh said, "Behold, the people of the land are now many and you make them rest from their burdens!"
6 The same day Pharaoh commanded the taskmasters of the people and their foremen,
7 "You shall no longer give the people straw to make bricks, as heretofore; let them go and gather straw for themselves.
8 But the number of bricks which they made heretofore you shall lay upon them, you shall by no means lessen it; for they are idle; therefore they cry, 'Let us go and offer sacrifice to our God.'
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.