Exodus5

Moses and Aaron deliver the LORD's command to Pharaoh to let Israel go for a wilderness feast. Pharaoh defiantly refuses, questioning the LORD's authority and accusing the Israelites of idleness. Consequently, Pharaoh intensifies their forced labor, demanding the same brick quota without providing straw, leading to increased suffering and the people's despair.
Listen to this chapter
0:00 0:00

Moses and Aaron Confront Pharaoh

1
After that, Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and said, “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘Let My people go, so that they may hold a feast to Me in the wilderness.’” ​
2
But Pharaoh replied, “Who is the LORD that I should obey His voice and let Israel go? I do not know the LORD, and I will not let Israel go.” ​
3
“The God of the Hebrews has met with us,” they answered. “Please let us go on a three-day journey into the wilderness to sacrifice to the LORD our God, or He may strike us with plagues or with the sword.” ​
4
But the king of Egypt said to them, “Moses and Aaron, why do you draw the people away from their work? Get back to your labor!”
5
Pharaoh also said, “Look, the people of the land are now numerous, and you would be stopping them from their labor.” ​

Pharaoh Intensifies Israel's Labor

6
That same day Pharaoh commanded the taskmasters of the people and their foremen:
7
“You shall no longer supply the people with straw for making bricks. They must go and gather their own straw. ​
8
But require of them the same quota of bricks as before; do not reduce it. For they are lazy; that is why they are crying out, ‘Let us go and sacrifice to our God.’ ​
9
Make the work harder on the men so they will be occupied and pay no attention to these lies.”
10
So the taskmasters and foremen of the people went out and said to them, “This is what Pharaoh says: ‘I am no longer giving you straw.
11
Go and get your own straw wherever you can find it; but your workload will in no way be reduced.’”
12
So the people scattered all over the land of Egypt to gather stubble for straw.
13
The taskmasters kept pressing them, saying, “Fulfill your quota each day, just as you did when straw was provided.”
14
Then the Israelite foremen, whom Pharaoh’s taskmasters had set over the people, were beaten and asked, “Why have you not fulfilled your quota of bricks yesterday or today, as you did before?” ​

Israelite Officers Appeal to Pharaoh

15
So the Israelite foremen went and appealed to Pharaoh: “Why are you treating your servants this way?
16
No straw has been given to your servants, yet we are told, ‘Make bricks!’ Look, your servants are being beaten, but the fault is with your own people.” ​
17
“You are slackers!” Pharaoh replied. “Slackers! That is why you keep saying, ‘Let us go and sacrifice to the LORD.’
18
Now get to work. You will be given no straw, yet you must deliver the full quota of bricks.”
19
The Israelite foremen realized they were in trouble when they were told, “You must not reduce your daily quota of bricks.”

Despair and Moses' Complaint

20
When they left Pharaoh, they confronted Moses and Aaron, who stood waiting to meet them.
21
“May the LORD look upon you and judge you,” the foremen said, “for you have made us a stench before Pharaoh and his officials; you have placed in their hand a sword to kill us!” ​
22
So Moses returned to the LORD and asked, “Lord, why have You brought trouble upon 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 delivered Your people in any way.” ​

Study Notes for Exodus 5

Verse 1

The initial request is a seemingly modest religious pilgrimage, designed to test Pharaoh’s willingness to acknowledge Yahweh’s authority even slightly.

Verse 2

This rhetorical question defines the central conflict of Exodus. Pharaoh, as a divine king in Egyptian theology, acknowledges no deity superior to him, setting the stage for the contest of divine power.

Verse 3

The 'three days' journey' was a common convention for religious travel, intended to prevent ritual contamination. Moses and Aaron frame the request as necessary to avoid divine judgment (pestilence or sword).

Verse 5

Pharaoh views the discussion of freedom or worship as sedition and a threat to state productivity, demonstrating that the foundation of Egyptian power relied entirely on slave labor.

Verse 7

Straw (or chopped stubble) was essential for brickmaking, acting as a binder to prevent cracking. Removing the supply while demanding the same quota was a calculated act of physical and psychological torture.

Verse 8

Pharaoh’s interpretation—that requests for rest or worship are proof of laziness—is a classic tactic used by oppressors to justify further exploitation and crush hope.

Verse 14

These 'officers' were Israelites appointed by Egyptian taskmasters to supervise their own people. They acted as foremen and were the immediate targets of violence when quotas failed.

Verse 16

The officers attempt to shift the blame to the Egyptian system, subtly asserting that the decree is impossible and that Pharaoh himself is being unjust.

Verse 21

The officers pronounce an imprecation (a curse or judgment appeal) against Moses and Aaron. The people, experiencing immediate suffering, blame the messengers who brought the promise of deliverance.

Verse 22

Moses expresses his first major crisis of faith, questioning God’s wisdom and timing. This highlights the difficulty of leadership when God’s plan involves immediate, intensified hardship before ultimate victory.

Verse 23

Moses directly challenges God’s faithfulness, feeling that the mission has only resulted in greater oppression. This complaint sets up the powerful reaffirmation of God’s covenant name and purpose in the beginning of Chapter 6.

Use ← → arrow keys to navigate
Settings

Reading Style

Typeface

Font Size 19px

Reading Width 45 chars

Options