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Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers Exodus 5:1–2. His two-level outline is real structure in the source text, so it is rendered as structure.
Moses and Aaron, having delivered their message to the elders of Israel, with whom they found good acceptance, are now to deal with Pharaoh, to whom they come in peril of their lives - Moses particularly, who perhaps was out-lawed for killing the Egyptian forty years before, so that if any of the old courtiers should happen to remember that against him now it might cost him his head. Their message itself was displeasing, and touch Pharaoh both in his honour and in his profit, two tender points; yet these faithful ambassadors boldly deliver it, whether he will hear or whether he will forbear.
I.Their demand is piously bold:
Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, Let my people go, Exo 5:1. Moses, in treating with the elders of Israel, is directed to call God the God of their fathers; but, in treating with Pharaoh, they call him the God of Israel, and it is the first time we find him called so in scripture: he is called the God of Israel, the person (Gen 33:20); but here it is Israel, the people. They are just beginning to be formed into a people when God is called their God. Moses, it is likely, was directed to call him so, at least it might be inferred from Exo 9:22, Israel is my son. In this great name they deliver their message: Let my people go.
1.They were God's people, and therefore Pharaoh ought not to detain them in bondage. Note, God will own his own people, though ever so poor and despicable, and will find a time to plead their cause. "The Israelites are slaves in Egypt, but they are my people," says God, "and I will not suffer them to be always trampled upon." See Isa 52:4, Isa 52:5.
2.He expected services and sacrifices from them, and therefore they must have leave to go where they could freely exercise their religion, without giving offence to, or receiving offence from, the Egyptians. Note, God delivers his people out of the hand of their enemies, that they may serve him, and serve him cheerfully, that they may hold a feast to him, which they may do, while they have his favour and presence, even in a wilderness, a dry and barren land.
II.Pharaoh's answer is impiously bold:
Who is the Lord, that I should obey his voice? Exo 5:2. Being summoned to surrender, he thus hangs out the flag of defiance, hectors Moses and the God that sends him, and peremptorily refuses to let Israel go; he will not treat about it, nor so much as bear the mention of it. Observe,
1.How scornfully he speaks of the God of Israel: "Who is Jehovah? I neither know him nor care for him, neither value him nor fear him:" it is a hard name that he never heard of before, but he resolves it shall be no bug-bear to him. Israel was now a despised oppressed people, looked on as the tail of the nation, and, by the character they bore, Pharaoh makes his estimate of their God, and concludes that he made no better a figure among the gods than his people did among the nations. Note, Hardened persecutors are more malicious against God himself than they are against his people. See Isa 37:23. Again, Ignorance and contempt of God are at the bottom of all the wickedness that is in the world. Men know not the Lord, or have very low and mean thoughts of him, and therefore they obey not his voice, nor will let any thing go for him.
2.How proudly he speaks of himself: "That I should obey his voice; I, the king of Egypt, a great people, obey the God of Israel, a poor enslaved people? Shall I, that rule the Israel of God, obey the God of Israel? No, it is below me; I scorn to answer his summons." Note, Those are the children of pride that are the children of disobedience, Job 41:34; Eph 5:6. Proud men think themselves too good to stoop even to God himself, and would not be under control, Jer 43:2. Here is the core of the controversy: God must rule, but man will not be ruled. "I will have my will done," says God: "But I will do my own will," says the sinner.
3.How resolutely he denies the demand: Neither will I let Israel go. Note, Of all sinners none are so obstinate, nor so hardly persuaded to leave their sin, as persecutors are.
Historical interpretation
Historical Reception
One surviving comment on this verse from the historical church.
Let us then become lowly, that we may be high. For most utterly does arrogance abase. This abased Pharaoh. For, “I know not,” he says, “the Lord,” and he became inferior to flies and frogs and the locusts, and after that with his very arms and horses was he drowned in the sea. In direct opposition to him, Abraham says, “I am dust and ashes” and prevailed over countless barbarians, and having fallen into the midst of Egyptians, returned, bearing a trophy more glorious than the former, and, cleaving to this virtue, grew ever more high.
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Summary
Exodus 5:2 encapsulates Pharaoh's audacious and spiritually blind defiance against the divine mandate delivered by Moses and Aaron. His contemptuous rhetorical question, "Who [is] the LORD, that I should obey his voice to let Israel go? I know not the LORD, neither will I let Israel go," serves as a profound challenge to God's ultimate authority and sovereignty. This declaration sets the definitive stage for the ensuing cosmic conflict, where God will dramatically reveal His identity and power through a series of devastating plagues, culminating in the miraculous liberation of His covenant people.
Context
Literary Context
This pivotal verse immediately follows Moses and Aaron's initial, direct confrontation with Pharaoh, as recorded in Exodus 5:1. They have just delivered the LORD's explicit command: "Let my people go, that they may hold a feast unto me in the wilderness." Pharaoh's response in verse 2 is therefore not a casual remark but a formal, immediate, and utterly defiant rejection of this divine summons. It marks the true beginning of the escalating conflict between God and Pharaoh, signaling that diplomacy will fail and only divine intervention can achieve Israel's liberation. This verse sets the tone for the entire narrative of the plagues, where God will systematically answer Pharaoh's rhetorical question through overwhelming displays of power.
Historical & Cultural Context
For centuries, the Israelites had endured brutal enslavement in Egypt, serving as a vital labor force for the empire. Pharaoh, as the reigning monarch, was not merely a political leader but was considered a living god within the elaborate Egyptian pantheon, holding absolute power and authority over his realm and its inhabitants. Egyptian religion was polytheistic, with a vast array of deities associated with various aspects of nature and life. Pharaoh had no prior recognition or understanding of Yahweh, the singular, transcendent God of Israel, and therefore perceived no obligation to acknowledge or obey a deity outside his established religious and political framework. His outright refusal is not merely a political negotiation over slave labor but a profound theological declaration of his own perceived supremacy and the supremacy of Egyptian gods over any competing divine claim.
Key Themes
Exodus 5:2 is crucial for establishing several key themes that permeate the book of Exodus and beyond. Firstly, it highlights the theme of Divine Sovereignty versus Human Arrogance, as Pharaoh's defiance directly challenges God's ultimate authority. Secondly, it introduces Spiritual Blindness and Willful Ignorance, demonstrating how a lack of true, experiential knowledge of God leads to disastrous consequences. Thirdly, Pharaoh's challenge provides the impetus for God's Purpose in Self-Revelation, as the subsequent plagues are explicitly designed to demonstrate God's identity and power, ensuring that "they may know that I am the LORD," as stated in Exodus 7:5 and reiterated in Exodus 9:16. Finally, it underscores the Unwavering Nature of God's Covenant Plan, showing that despite immediate human resistance, God's purpose to deliver Israel remains steadfast and unstoppable.
Exposition and Analysis
Exodus 5:2 presents Pharaoh's immediate and unequivocal rejection of the LORD's authority, marking the true beginning of the divine-human conflict that defines the Exodus narrative.
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
"And Pharaoh said"
This introductory phrase sets a solemn and authoritative tone. It marks the formal response of the most powerful man in the ancient world, whose words carry immense political, religious, and economic weight. His utterance is not a casual remark but a deliberate, defiant declaration that directly challenges the divine messenger.
"Who [is] the LORD, that I should obey his voice to let Israel go?"
This is a rhetorical question, not an inquiry seeking information, but a contemptuous dismissal. Pharaoh's tone is one of arrogance and defiance, challenging the very premise of God's right to issue commands. He asserts his own will as supreme, refusing to acknowledge any authority higher than his own. The phrase "obey his voice" (literally, "hear his voice," from H8085 shâmaʻ, implying attentive hearing leading to obedience) highlights his outright rejection of submission to an unknown deity.
"I know not the LORD"
This declaration underscores a profound spiritual ignorance, reinforcing the rhetorical question. As discussed, "know" (yâdaʻ, H3045) signifies a deep, experiential, and relational understanding. Pharaoh lacks any personal or experiential recognition of Yahweh's power, authority, or existence. This absence of knowledge is not merely intellectual oversight but a willful refusal to acknowledge God's sovereign claim, rooted in his own self-deification and the polytheistic worldview of Egypt.
"neither will I let Israel go"
This is the direct, unequivocal consequence of Pharaoh's spiritual blindness and hardened heart. It is a firm, non-negotiable refusal to comply with God's command to "send away" (H7971 shâlach) His people. This statement solidifies his stance and initiates the divine judgment that will inevitably follow, as God will now systematically demonstrate His identity and power to compel Pharaoh's submission.
Literary Devices
Pharaoh's declaration in Exodus 5:2 is rich with literary techniques that amplify its dramatic and theological significance. The most prominent is the Rhetorical Question: "Who [is] the LORD, that I should obey his voice...?" This is not a genuine search for information but a powerful expression of contempt, defiance, and a challenge to Yahweh's authority. Its purpose is to assert Pharaoh's perceived supremacy and dismiss God's claim as illegitimate. Furthermore, the verse employs Parallelism and Repetition in the two clauses: "Who is the LORD... I know not the LORD." This repetition emphasizes Pharaoh's resolute ignorance and defiance, reinforcing his unwillingness to acknowledge or submit to Yahweh. The second part, "neither will I let Israel go," directly follows from and is a consequence of the first, creating a clear cause-and-effect relationship between his spiritual blindness and his oppressive actions. Finally, there is profound Irony in Pharaoh's declaration. His statement, "I know not the LORD," becomes the very catalyst for God's systematic and undeniable self-revelation through the plagues, forcing Pharaoh, Egypt, and even Israel to "know" who the LORD truly is through overwhelming displays of power and judgment. This dramatic irony underscores God's sovereignty even in the face of human rebellion.
Theological and Thematic Connections
Pharaoh's defiant declaration in Exodus 5:2 encapsulates a foundational biblical theme: the clash between divine sovereignty and human autonomy. His question, "Who is the LORD?", is not merely a statement of ignorance but a profound challenge to God's very being and authority, echoing the rebellious spirit found throughout human history. This verse underscores that true knowledge of God is not merely intellectual assent but a transformative, experiential relationship that demands obedience and submission. When humanity refuses to acknowledge God's rightful claim, it inevitably leads to spiritual blindness, hardened hearts, and ultimately, divine judgment. Yet, even in the face of such profound resistance, God's unwavering purpose to reveal Himself and deliver His people remains steadfast, turning human defiance into a stage for His glory and ensuring that His name is proclaimed throughout the earth.
Reflection and Application
Exodus 5:2 confronts us with the timeless reality of human resistance to divine authority. Pharaoh's arrogant defiance, rooted in self-proclaimed divinity and willful ignorance, serves as a powerful mirror for our own hearts and societies. In a world that often seeks to dethrone God and elevate human autonomy, this verse challenges us to profoundly examine who we acknowledge as ultimate authority. Do we, like Pharaoh, dismiss God's voice because we "know not the LORD" in a deep, experiential, and obedient way? Or do we submit to His sovereign will, recognizing that true freedom and flourishing are found only in acknowledging His rightful place in our lives? This passage calls us to humility, urging us to cultivate a genuine, relational knowledge of God that transforms our actions and aligns our lives with His purposes, rather than hardening our hearts against His truth. It reminds us that God's plan will prevail, and our response determines whether we experience His judgment or His deliverance.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why is Pharaoh's question, "Who is the LORD?", so significant?
Pharaoh's question is not a genuine inquiry but a profound rhetorical challenge born of arrogance and spiritual ignorance. It signifies his utter contempt for any authority beyond his own and his complete lack of recognition for Yahweh, the God of Israel. This defiant query sets the stage for God to answer it definitively through the dramatic series of plagues, demonstrating His supreme power and identity, not only to Pharaoh but to all of Egypt and to His own people, Israel, as seen in passages like Exodus 7:5.
What does Pharaoh mean by "I know not the LORD"?
The Hebrew word for "know" (yada) implies more than just intellectual awareness; it signifies a deep, experiential, and relational understanding, often involving personal recognition and submission. Pharaoh's declaration means he has no personal or experiential recognition of Yahweh's power, authority, or existence. It's a statement of willful ignorance and a refusal to acknowledge God's rightful claim, rather than a simple lack of information.
Why did God allow Pharaoh to defy Him initially?
God allowed Pharaoh's initial defiance to demonstrate His power and sovereignty more fully and to make His name known throughout the earth. As Romans 9:17 echoes the sentiment of Exodus 9:16, God raised Pharaoh up for the very purpose of displaying His power through him. Pharaoh's resistance served as the catalyst for God's dramatic self-revelation, solidifying His identity and demonstrating His unmatched power for both Israel and Egypt, ensuring that "they may know that I am the LORD."
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
Pharaoh's defiant rejection of the LORD's authority and his oppressive enslavement of Israel serve as a profound Old Testament type, foreshadowing humanity's universal bondage to sin and Satan's cosmic rebellion against God. Just as God delivered Israel from Pharaoh's tyrannical hand through a series of mighty acts, culminating in the Passover sacrifice and the miraculous Red Sea deliverance, so too does Christ deliver humanity from the dominion of sin, death, and the spiritual forces of darkness. Pharaoh, in his self-exaltation and opposition to God's people, embodies the anti-Christ spirit of the world system, which constantly resists God's reign. Christ, the ultimate and perfect deliverer, definitively answers Pharaoh's contemptuous question, "Who is the LORD?", through His incarnate life, atoning death, and glorious resurrection. He is the visible image of the invisible God (Colossians 1:15), the one through whom all things were created and sustained (Colossians 1:16-17), and the one to whom every knee will ultimately bow and every tongue confess as Lord (Philippians 2:9-11). Through His victory on the cross and resurrection, Christ has disarmed the powers and authorities (Colossians 2:15), demonstrating God's supreme power, redemptive love, and absolute authority over all creation, ultimately leading His redeemed people into true freedom and eternal life in His kingdom (John 8:36). He is the true Passover Lamb (1 Corinthians 5:7) who secures everlasting deliverance.