Exodus 5:13

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

And the taskmasters {H5065} hasted {H213} them, saying {H559}, Fulfil {H3615} your works {H4639}, your daily {H3117} tasks {H1697}, as when there was {H1961} straw {H8401}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The slavemasters kept pressing them. "Keep working! Make your daily quota, just as when straw was provided."

Berean Standard Bible

The taskmasters kept pressing them, saying, “Fulfill your quota each day, just as you did when straw was provided.”

American Standard Version

And the taskmasters were urgent saying, Fulfil your works, your daily tasks, as when there was straw.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 5:13 details the immediate and brutal enforcement of Pharaoh's decree, where Egyptian taskmasters relentlessly drove the Israelite laborers to fulfill their daily brick quotas. Despite being denied straw, a vital material for brick-making, the Israelites were compelled to maintain the same impossible output they had achieved when straw was provided, intensifying their suffering and highlighting Pharaoh's cruel defiance against God's demand for Israel's release.

### CONTEXT
This verse is situated immediately after Pharaoh’s defiant rejection of God’s demand, delivered by Moses and Aaron, to "Let my people go." Instead of liberation, Pharaoh responded by intensifying the Israelites' already harsh servitude, commanding that they no longer be given straw for brick production but must gather it themselves, all while maintaining the exact same daily quota [Exodus 5:7](/exodus/5-7 "Pharaoh's decree to remove straw"). This policy was designed to crush their spirit, making them too overwhelmed to consider God's call to worship, and the taskmasters were the direct instruments of this increased oppression.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
The KJV phrase "And the taskmasters hasted [them]" comes from the Hebrew verb *'ats* (אָץ), which means to urge, to press, or to compel. This conveys a sense of relentless urgency and forceful coercion, indicating that the Egyptian taskmasters were driving the Israelite laborers with extreme rigor. They were not merely supervising but actively pushing the workers to move faster and exert more effort under the new, stricter conditions.

The command, "saying, Fulfil your works, [your] daily tasks, as when there was straw," underscores the impossible burden placed upon the Israelites. "Fulfil your works" emphasizes the expectation of completing the full, undiminished quota of bricks, regardless of the new impediment. The crucial phrase "as when there was straw" highlights the deliberate cruelty of Pharaoh's decree. Straw was a necessary binding agent for bricks, and its removal significantly increased the difficulty and time required for brick production. By demanding the same output without providing the necessary materials, Pharaoh created an inherently unreasonable and unattainable standard. This was a calculated move to break the Israelites' will, intensify their suffering, and make them blame Moses and Aaron for their heightened affliction [Exodus 5:18](/exodus/5-18 "Pharaoh's demand for the full quota of bricks"). The verse thus vividly portrays the immediate, harsh, and unjust implementation of Pharaoh's oppressive policy, demonstrating his unyielding defiance against God and his complete disregard for human suffering.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
* **Increased Oppression as a Catalyst for Deliverance:** Pharaoh's heightened cruelty, though devastating for Israel, served God's larger purpose. It demonstrated the depth of human sin and tyranny, magnifying God’s ultimate power to deliver His people from seemingly insurmountable odds [Exodus 6:6](/exodus/6-6 "God's promise to deliver Israel with a strong hand").
* **Pharaoh's Hardness of Heart:** This verse further illustrates Pharaoh's unyielding defiance against God and his complete disregard for human suffering, setting the stage for God's powerful interventions through the plagues. His actions here are a direct rejection of divine authority.
* **God's Awareness of Suffering:** Even in the face of escalating suffering and impossible demands, the narrative assures the reader that God is intimately aware of the affliction of His people [Exodus 3:7](/exodus/3-7 "God sees the affliction of His people") and is actively working toward their ultimate deliverance.
* **The Nature of Oppression:** The verse powerfully depicts the characteristics of oppressive systems: unreasonable demands, exploitation of labor, and the use of fear and hardship to maintain control. It highlights the dehumanizing effects of such systems.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Exodus 5:13 resonates deeply with contemporary experiences of unjust burdens and impossible expectations in various facets of life, whether in professional settings, personal relationships, or societal pressures. It serves as a stark reminder of the reality of oppressive systems and individuals who exploit others, driven by hardened hearts or self-interest. The Israelites' struggle under these conditions underscores the profound human capacity to endure immense hardship, often sustained by sheer will or desperation. Crucially, this verse also offers a profound theological assurance: even amidst escalating suffering, the narrative affirms that God sees and hears the cries of His people, is intimately aware of their affliction, and is actively working towards their ultimate liberation. It stands as a powerful contrast to God's character, promising His eventual triumph over all forms of tyranny and injustice.

### FAQ
**What was the significance of straw in brick-making, and why was its removal so impactful?**

Answer: Straw was a crucial binding agent for the mud bricks made by the Israelites. When mixed with clay and water, the fibers of the straw provided tensile strength, preventing the bricks from cracking as they dried and ensuring their durability. Without straw, the bricks were much weaker and more prone to crumbling, making it significantly harder, if not impossible, to produce the same quality and quantity. The removal of straw, therefore, was not merely an inconvenience but a deliberate act designed to make the work substantially more difficult and time-consuming, while the quota remained unchanged.

**Who were the "taskmasters" mentioned in this verse?**

Answer: The "taskmasters" (Hebrew: *nogesim*) were Egyptian officials directly responsible for overseeing the Israelite laborers. They were typically harsh and cruel, acting as the direct enforcers of Pharaoh's policies. Below them were often Hebrew foremen (Exodus 5:14), who were themselves Israelites, but were held accountable by the Egyptian taskmasters for the quotas. This structure created a system of pressure that extended down to the lowest laborers, as the foremen would be beaten if the quotas were not met.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 5:13, with its depiction of impossible burdens and relentless oppression, finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ. Humanity, enslaved by sin and subject to the impossible demands of a perfect law it cannot keep, mirrors the Israelites' plight. Christ, however, entered into this world of suffering and oppression, not as an oppressor but as the ultimate Deliverer. He bore the impossible burden of humanity's sin, fulfilling the righteous demands of the law on our behalf. His suffering on the cross, a direct result of the tyranny of sin and the hardened hearts of humanity, became the means by which true freedom and liberation are offered. Unlike the taskmasters who drove their laborers to death, Christ, through His own sacrificial death and resurrection, breaks the chains of spiritual slavery, offering rest from impossible demands and leading His people to a promised land of eternal liberty and peace.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.