Exodus 5:6

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

And Pharaoh {H6547} commanded {H6680} the same day {H3117} the taskmasters {H5065} of the people {H5971}, and their officers {H7860}, saying {H559},

Complete Jewish Bible

That same day Pharaoh ordered the slavemasters and the people's foremen,

Berean Standard Bible

That same day Pharaoh commanded the taskmasters of the people and their foremen:

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 5:6 marks a pivotal escalation in the conflict between God and Pharaoh, detailing Pharaoh's immediate and severe response to Moses and Aaron's demand for Israel's liberation. This verse records the monarch's direct command to his taskmasters and officers to intensify the forced labor of the Israelites, a calculated punitive action designed to crush any burgeoning hope of freedom and to reassert his absolute authority over the enslaved people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows Moses and Aaron's initial, audacious confrontation with Pharaoh in [Exodus 5:1-5](/exodus/5-1-5 "Moses and Aaron confront Pharaoh and he dismisses their request"). They deliver God's direct command, "Let my people go," and request a three-day journey into the wilderness to worship the Lord. Pharaoh's response in [Exodus 5:2](/exodus/5-2 "Pharaoh's defiant response to God") is one of defiant dismissal, questioning the Lord's authority and accusing Moses and Aaron of distracting the people from their work. Verse 6, therefore, is not merely a refusal but an active, punitive counter-measure, setting the stage for the escalating divine-human struggle that will define the rest of the Exodus narrative. It initiates the cycle of intensified oppression that God will then use as a catalyst for His mighty acts of deliverance.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ancient Egypt was a highly centralized, autocratic society where the pharaoh was considered a divine king, the living embodiment of the god Horus, and the ultimate authority. The Israelites, as depicted in [Exodus 1:8-14](/exodus/1-8-14 "The Oppression of Israel in Egypt"), were already subjected to brutal state-sponsored slavery, primarily engaged in arduous labor like brick-making and construction for vast building projects. The system of taskmasters (Egyptian overseers) and officers (often Israelite foremen) was a well-established hierarchy for managing large labor forces. Pharaoh's immediate and severe reaction to any perceived threat to his control, especially from a subjugated people, was entirely consistent with the absolute power and divine self-perception of an Egyptian monarch, who would view any religious observance that interfered with labor as a direct challenge to his authority and the stability of his empire.
* **Key Themes:** Exodus 5:6 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Exodus. It vividly illustrates **Pharaoh's defiance and hardness of heart**, a central motif that will be repeatedly emphasized as the narrative unfolds, highlighting his unyielding resistance to God's will and foreshadowing the divine judgments that will follow. The verse also introduces the theme of **increased oppression as a divine catalyst**; paradoxically, Pharaoh's attempt to crush Israel's spirit through intensified suffering serves God's larger purpose of revealing the depth of Israel's plight and demonstrating His exclusive power to deliver them, as seen later in [Exodus 6:1-8](/exodus/6-1-8 "God promises deliverance"). Furthermore, it marks the definitive **escalation of conflict** between the sovereign God of Israel and the supposedly divine pharaoh, initiating a prolonged spiritual and political struggle that will culminate in God's mighty acts of judgment against Egypt and His glorious deliverance of His people, a struggle that ultimately reveals the Lord's supremacy over all earthly powers, as declared in [Exodus 9:16](/exodus/9-16 "God's purpose in raising up Pharaoh").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **commanded (Hebrew, _tsâvâh'_):** This primitive root (H6680) signifies an intensive act of constituting or enjoining. It implies a strong, authoritative directive, often with the force of an appointment or a charge. In this context, it underscores Pharaoh's absolute power and the non-negotiable nature of his decree, reflecting his position as the supreme authority in Egypt.
* **same day (Hebrew, _yôwm'_):** The term _yôwm_ (H3117) refers to a day, often implying the warm hours from sunrise to sunset, but can also denote a specific point in time or a defined period. The phrase "the same day" emphasizes the immediacy and decisiveness of Pharaoh's reaction. It highlights his swiftness in responding to Moses and Aaron's request, indicating a deliberate and urgent punitive measure rather than a delayed or considered decision.
* **taskmasters (Hebrew, _nâgas'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to drive" (H5065), this term refers to those who drive, exact, oppress, or harass. It specifically denotes an "exactor" or "oppressor," often associated with those who impose taxes or forced labor. Here, it accurately describes the brutal role of the Egyptian officials responsible for overseeing and enforcing the harsh labor conditions of the Israelite slaves, emphasizing their oppressive function.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Pharaoh commanded":** This opening phrase immediately establishes the source of the intensified oppression – the highest authority in Egypt. It highlights Pharaoh's direct involvement and personal decision to retaliate against the Israelites' plea for freedom, underscoring his defiance against the God of Israel.
* **"the same day":** This temporal marker emphasizes the immediacy and decisiveness of Pharaoh's action. It was not a delayed or pondered response, but a swift, unhesitating command, demonstrating his absolute power and his determination to quash any glimmer of hope among the enslaved people.
* **"the taskmasters of the people, and their officers,":** Pharaoh's command is directed at the two tiers of the labor hierarchy. The "taskmasters" (Egyptian overseers) were the direct enforcers of the pharaoh's will, holding ultimate authority over the labor. The "officers" were likely Israelite foremen, appointed by the Egyptians to manage their own people. This dual targeting created a system of internal pressure and complicity, exacerbating the suffering of the Israelites by making their own kinsmen accountable for the increased quotas.
* **"saying,":** This concluding word introduces the content of Pharaoh's command, which is elaborated in the subsequent verses. It signals that what follows is the direct, authoritative decree that will dramatically increase the burden on the Israelite slaves, setting the stage for the next phase of the divine-human conflict.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. **Irony** is subtly present, as Pharaoh's attempt to crush the Israelites' spirit through increased oppression ultimately serves God's larger purpose of demonstrating His power and justifying His intervention. This act of defiance becomes the very catalyst for greater divine action. The phrase "the same day" functions as a powerful use of **Emphasis**, highlighting the immediacy and unyielding nature of Pharaoh's response, underscoring his absolute authority and his contempt for the God of Israel. Furthermore, the mention of "taskmasters" and "officers" serves as **Metonymy**, where these titles represent the entire oppressive system of Egyptian slavery, embodying the systemic brutality and the complex hierarchy of control under which the Israelites groaned.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 5:6 profoundly illustrates the nature of spiritual warfare and the reality that God's redemptive work often faces immediate and intensified opposition. Pharaoh's swift, punitive command is not merely a political act but a spiritual one, a direct challenge to the authority of the Lord. This verse highlights the deep-seated resistance of worldly powers to divine liberation, demonstrating that the path to freedom is rarely easy or unopposed. It sets the stage for God to display His overwhelming power, proving that only He can deliver His people from such a formidable, divinely opposed enemy, thereby building their faith and revealing His glory.

* [Exodus 7:3-5](/exodus/7-3-5 "God hardens Pharaoh's heart to show His wonders")
* [Psalm 105:23-25](/psalm/105-23-25 "God turns Egyptian hearts against Israel")
* [Acts 7:35-36](/acts/7-35-36 "Moses, the deliverer, rejected then accepted")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Exodus 5:6 offers a profound and enduring lesson for believers navigating the complexities of faith and life. It reveals that when God begins to move in powerful ways, whether in our personal lives, our communities, or the broader world, we should anticipate increased resistance and intensified challenges. Pharaoh's immediate escalation of suffering upon the Israelites' request for freedom is a vivid reminder that the enemy of our souls does not relinquish his hold easily. This verse calls us to cultivate a deep perseverance rooted in unwavering faith, understanding that seemingly insurmountable obstacles and heightened opposition are often part of God's sovereign plan to demonstrate His power and bring about His desired outcome. Just as Israel's suffering led to a more glorious display of God's might at the Red Sea, our trials can become platforms for God's greater glory and our deeper trust in His ultimate deliverance. Therefore, in the face of intensified challenges, we are called to stand firm, knowing that the Lord is at work, even when circumstances seem to worsen before they improve, much like the Israelites learned to trust God's provision in the wilderness after their miraculous escape from Egypt, as recorded in [Exodus 16](/exodus/16 "God provides manna and quail").

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do I typically react when my pursuit of God's will leads to increased opposition or hardship?**
* **In what ways might current difficulties or intensified pressures in my life be part of God's larger plan to demonstrate His power or deepen my faith?**
* **What specific steps can I take to cultivate perseverance and unwavering faith when faced with unexpected resistance to spiritual growth or ministry?**

### FAQ

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

Answer: The "taskmasters" (Hebrew: _sarei missim_, from H5065 _nâgas_) were high-ranking Egyptian officials directly responsible for overseeing the forced labor of the Israelites and enforcing the pharaoh's demands. They were the primary oppressors. The "officers" (Hebrew: _shôṭêrîm_, from H7860 _shôṭêr_) were likely Israelite foremen who were appointed by the Egyptians to manage their own people and ensure quotas were met. This system created a layer of internal pressure within the enslaved community, as these Israelite officers were held accountable by the Egyptian taskmasters for the productivity of their fellow Israelites, as further detailed in [Exodus 5:10-14](/exodus/5-10-14 "The taskmasters and officers increase the burden").

**Why did Pharaoh respond so swiftly and harshly to Moses and Aaron's request?**

Answer: Pharaoh's swift and harsh response was a deliberate strategy to crush any hope of freedom among the Israelites and to reassert his absolute authority. He viewed Moses and Aaron's request as a direct challenge to his power and a dangerous distraction that would lead to idleness and rebellion. By immediately increasing their burden, he aimed to make their lives so miserable that they would abandon their desire for freedom and focus solely on their oppressive labor, thus preventing any further attempts at liberation. His intent was to make them "turn away their attention to vain words" ([Exodus 5:9](/exodus/5-9 "Pharaoh's strategy to increase Israel's burden")).

**What is the significance of Pharaoh commanding "the same day"?**

Answer: The phrase "the same day" (Hebrew: _yôwm_, H3117) emphasizes the immediate, decisive, and unhesitating nature of Pharaoh's punitive action. It highlights his absolute power and his determination to swiftly suppress any challenge to his rule or any burgeoning hope among the enslaved Israelites. This immediacy underscores the severity of his defiance against God's command and sets the tone for the escalating conflict between Pharaoh and the Lord, demonstrating that Pharaoh was not merely dismissive but actively hostile to the idea of Israel's freedom.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 5:6, depicting Pharaoh's intensified oppression, finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the greater liberation wrought by Jesus Christ. Pharaoh, as the embodiment of an oppressive worldly power, foreshadows the dominion of sin and death over humanity. Just as Israel's suffering intensified before their miraculous exodus, so too did humanity groan under the crushing weight of sin, a burden from which only a divine deliverer could free them. Christ, the true and ultimate Moses, did not merely lead His people out of physical bondage but broke the spiritual chains of slavery to sin and Satan through His atoning death on the cross and His glorious resurrection. His victory over the powers of darkness, which sought to keep humanity in bondage, is the ultimate and perfect exodus, offering not just freedom from a temporal taskmaster but eternal redemption and new life in Him, as proclaimed by John the Baptist: "Behold, the [Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")" Through Christ, believers are delivered from the "domain of darkness and transferred to the kingdom of his beloved Son" ([Colossians 1:13-14](/colossians/1-13-14 "Deliverance from the Domain of Darkness")). His triumph over sin and death is the ultimate fulfillment of God's promise to deliver His people from all forms of bondage, leading them into a promised land of spiritual freedom and eternal life, a new covenant established through His blood ([Luke 22:20](/luke/22-20 "The New Covenant in Jesus' Blood")).

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.

Cross-References

Exodus 5:10

¶ 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.

Exodus 5:19

And the officers of the children of Israel did see [that] they [were] in evil [case], after it was said, Ye shall not minish [ought] from your bricks of your daily task.

Exodus 5:13

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

Exodus 5:15

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

Joshua 24:4

And I gave unto Isaac Jacob and Esau: and I gave unto Esau mount Seir, to possess it; but Jacob and his children went down into Egypt.

Joshua 8:33

And all Israel, and their elders, and officers, and their judges, stood on this side the ark and on that side before the priests the Levites, which bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD, as well the stranger, as he that was born among them; half of them over against mount Gerizim, and half of them over against mount Ebal; as Moses the servant of the LORD had commanded before, that they should bless the people of Israel.

Exodus 1:11

Therefore they did set over them taskmasters to afflict them with their burdens. And they built for Pharaoh treasure cities, Pithom and Raamses.