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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 5:3–9. His three-level outline is real structure in the source text, so it is rendered as structure.
Finding that Pharaoh had no veneration at all for God, Moses and Aaron next try whether he had any compassion for Israel, and become humble suitors to him for leave to go and sacrifice, but in vain.
I.Their request is very humble and modest, Exo 5:3.
They make no complaint of the rigour they were ruled with. They plead that the journey they designed was not a project formed among themselves, but that their God had met with them, and called them to it. They beg with all submission: We pray thee. The poor useth entreaties; though God may summon princes that oppress, it becomes us to beseech and make supplication to them. What they ask is very reasonable, only for a short vacation, while they went three days' journey into the desert, and that on a good errand, and unexceptionable: "We will sacrifice unto the Lord our God, as other people do to theirs;" and, lastly, they give a very good reason, "Lest, if we quite cast off his worship, he fall upon us with one judgment or other, and then Pharaoh will lose his vassals."
II.Pharaoh's denial of their request is very barbarous and unreasonable, Exo 5:4-9.
1.His suggestions were very unreasonable.
(1.)That the people were idle, and that therefore they talked of going to sacrifice. The cities they built for Pharaoh, and the other fruit of their labours, were witnesses for them that they were not idle; yet he thus basely misrepresents them, that he might have a pretence to increase their burdens.
(2.)That Moses and Aaron made them idle with vain words, Exo 5:9. God's words are here called vain words; and those that called them to the best and most needful business are accused of making them idle. Note, The malice of Satan has often represented the service and worship of God as fit employment for those only that have nothing else to do, and the business only of the idle; whereas indeed it is the indispensable duty of those that are most busy in the world.
2.His resolutions hereupon were most barbarous.
(1.)Moses and Aaron themselves must get to their burdens (Exo 5:4); they are Israelites, and, however God had distinguished them from the rest, Pharaoh makes no difference: they must share in the common slavery of their nation. Persecutors have always taken a particular pleasure in putting contempt and hardship upon the ministers of the churches.
(2.)The usual tale of bricks must be exacted, without the usual allowance of straw to mix with the clay, or to burn the bricks with, that thus more work might be laid upon the men, which if they performed, they would be broken with labour; and, if not, they would be exposed to punishment.
Historical interpretation
Historical Reception
One surviving comment on this verse from the historical church.
When both the good and the bad do the same things and suffer the same things, they are to be distinguished by their intentions, not by their acts and penalties. Pharaoh oppressed the people of God with hard labors; Moses afflicted the same people, who had fallen into idolatry, with severe punishments. They did the same things, but they did not aim at the same result. The former was puffed up with pride of power, the latter was animated by love.
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Summary
Exodus 5:9 encapsulates Pharaoh's defiant and oppressive response to Moses and Aaron's divine mandate for Israel's liberation. Instead of releasing the Israelites, Pharaoh strategically intensifies their forced labor, commanding his taskmasters to impose even heavier burdens. His calculated aim is to crush their spirits, exhaust their physical and mental capacities, and thereby prevent them from heeding the "vain words"—Moses' message of freedom and worship from the Lord—thus ensuring the perpetuation of his tyrannical control and the suppression of any hope for deliverance.
Context
Literary Context
This verse is a pivotal moment following Moses and Aaron's initial confrontation with Pharaoh in Exodus 5:1-3. They deliver God's command to "Let my people go, that they may hold a feast unto me in the wilderness." Pharaoh's immediate reaction, as seen in Exodus 5:2, is one of dismissive contempt for Yahweh and a blatant refusal to acknowledge His authority. He accuses Moses and Aaron of making the people idle and distracting them from their work. Verse 5:9 is Pharaoh's executive order, a direct escalation of the conflict, designed to counteract the nascent hope ignited by Moses' message and to reassert his absolute dominion over the Israelite workforce. It sets the stage for the intensifying cycle of oppression and divine judgment that will unfold in subsequent chapters, leading up to the plagues.
Historical & Cultural Context
Ancient Egypt was a highly centralized and hierarchical society, with the Pharaoh considered a divine king, the embodiment of order (Ma'at). Labor, particularly forced labor, was a cornerstone of the Egyptian economy and monumental building projects. Slaves and foreign laborers were crucial to this system. The Israelites, as a large foreign population, represented a significant labor force. Pharaoh's concern was not just about control but also about economic stability and maintaining the social order. Any disruption, such as a religious festival in the wilderness, would be seen as a threat to his authority and the productivity of his empire. The concept of "vain words" would resonate in a culture where the Pharaoh's word was law, and any external, unapproved message was inherently subversive and dangerous to the established order.
Key Themes
Exodus 5:9 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Exodus. It powerfully illustrates the theme of Divine Sovereignty versus Human Defiance, as Pharaoh directly opposes God's will, setting himself up as a rival power. It deepens the theme of Oppression and Deliverance, showing the escalating nature of Israel's bondage before God's mighty hand intervenes. The verse also highlights the Conflict of Voices, contrasting the liberating word of God spoken by Moses with the enslaving decrees of Pharaoh. Furthermore, it foreshadows the Hardening of Pharaoh's Heart, a central motif that will be explored throughout the plague narratives, demonstrating God's purpose in allowing such resistance to magnify His glory, as seen in Exodus 9:16. The suffering of the Israelites, intensified here, serves to emphasize their desperate need for divine intervention, preparing them to fully appreciate God's miraculous salvation, much like the broader narrative of God's redemption for His people found in the book of Exodus.
Exposition and Analysis
Exodus 5:9 reveals Pharaoh's strategic cruelty and his hardened heart, marking a significant escalation in the divine-human conflict. His decree is a calculated move to crush the spirit of the Israelites and maintain his oppressive control.
Key Word Analysis
This word denotes "work of any kind," encompassing "labor," "service," or "bondage." Here, it specifically refers to the arduous, forced labor imposed on the Israelites. Pharaoh's command to lay "more work" signifies an increase in their already burdensome servitude, aiming to overwhelm them physically and mentally. This is not merely about productivity but about breaking their will.
This root means "to be heavy," "burdensome," or "severe." In a causative sense, as used here, it means "to make weighty" or "lay heavily." Pharaoh's intention is to make the work excessively heavy and grievous, intensifying their affliction to the point of exhaustion and despair. It highlights the oppressive nature of the regime, designed to crush any glimmer of hope.
This is a broad term meaning "a word," "matter," or "thing." In this context, combined with "vain," it refers to the message delivered by Moses and Aaron. Pharaoh dismisses God's commands as mere "words"—empty, idle, and worthless talk—that distract his workforce. This reveals his profound spiritual blindness and his attempt to silence the divine voice of liberation.
Verse Breakdown
"Let there more work be laid upon the men"
This is Pharaoh's explicit, unyielding command to his taskmasters. It signifies a deliberate and severe intensification of the Israelites' forced labor. His aim is not merely increased output but the overwhelming of the people, breaking their spirit and consuming all their time and energy. This act underscores the oppressive nature of Egyptian bondage and Pharaoh's unyielding resolve to maintain absolute control, directly opposing God's mandate for freedom.
"that they may labour therein"
This clause clarifies the purpose behind the increased workload. The intent is to ensure the Israelites are so consumed by their toil that they have no capacity—physically, mentally, or emotionally—to consider anything else. It is a strategy of exhaustion, designed to prevent them from gathering, thinking, or even hoping for deliverance.
"and let them not regard vain words"
This is the ultimate objective of Pharaoh's decree. The "vain words" refer to the message of liberation and worship brought by Moses and Aaron from the Lord. Pharaoh considers these divine pronouncements to be empty, idle, and worthless distractions from the "real work" of slavery. His command is a deliberate attempt to silence God's voice among the people by ensuring they are too exhausted and dispirited to listen, believe, or act upon the promise of freedom. This strategy aims to strip them of hope and focus, ensuring their attention remains solely on their arduous tasks rather than on the promise of liberation.
Literary Devices
The verse employs Irony, as Pharaoh's attempt to suppress God's word by increasing suffering ultimately serves God's greater purpose of demonstrating His power and hardening Pharaoh's heart. There is also clear Conflict, highlighting the direct clash between Pharaoh's human will and God's divine will. The phrase "vain words" serves as a Metonymy for the entire message of liberation and worship, reducing God's powerful command to something empty and meaningless from Pharaoh's perspective. Furthermore, the intensified labor functions as a Symbol of the crushing weight of sin and oppression, which seeks to prevent humanity from hearing and responding to the call of true freedom.
Theological and Thematic Connections
Pharaoh's decree in Exodus 5:9 is a profound illustration of human defiance against divine will. His attempt to crush the spirit of the Israelites through intensified labor and by dismissing God's message as "vain words" sets the stage for a dramatic demonstration of God's ultimate sovereignty. This act of oppression, rather than thwarting God's plan, serves to highlight the depth of Pharaoh's hardened heart and to magnify God's power when He eventually delivers His people from an even more desperate situation. It underscores that God often allows suffering to intensify before a great deliverance, not to punish His people, but to reveal His glory, solidify their faith, and make the subsequent salvation undeniably divine.
Reflection and Application
Exodus 5:9 offers a potent spiritual lesson for believers today. It reveals that when God's truth is rejected by the world, or by systems that oppose Him, the immediate consequence can often be increased pressure and hardship for those who seek to follow His will. Pharaoh's strategy of overwhelming the Israelites with work to prevent them from "regarding vain words" mirrors how the world, or even spiritual adversaries, might seek to distract, exhaust, or burden believers, aiming to drown out the voice of God and the promises of His Word. This can manifest as relentless demands on our time, energy, or attention, designed to make us too weary or distracted to engage in spiritual disciplines, hear God's call, or pursue our divine purpose. This verse calls us to perseverance, reminding us that even when circumstances worsen, God's plan is still unfolding, and His deliverance is certain. It challenges us to discern what "vain words" might be distracting us from God's truth and to intentionally create space to listen to His voice, even amidst the pressures of life.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What are the "vain words" Pharaoh refers to in Exodus 5:9?
The "vain words" are the message delivered by Moses and Aaron to Pharaoh, which included God's demand to "Let my people go" and the instruction for the Israelites to go into the wilderness to worship the Lord. Pharaoh considered these words to be empty, idle, and worthless distractions from the Israelites' forced labor, designed to make them "idle" and rebellious. From his perspective, these were unproductive and dangerous ideas that threatened his control over his workforce and his kingdom.
Why did God allow the Israelites' suffering to intensify after Moses' initial request?
God allowed the suffering to intensify for several profound reasons, all serving His sovereign purposes. Firstly, it served to fully expose Pharaoh's hardened heart and his utter defiance of God, justifying the severe judgments that would follow and demonstrating the depth of his rebellion, as seen in Exodus 7:3. Secondly, it demonstrated God's power more profoundly when He delivered His people from an even worse situation, ensuring that the deliverance was clearly His work and not a result of human negotiation or effort. This magnified His glory in the eyes of both the Egyptians and the Israelites, as recounted in Exodus 14:4. Finally, it taught the Israelites to rely solely on God for their salvation, as their own efforts and initial hopes were crushed by Pharaoh's increased oppression, preparing them for a deeper faith and understanding of His covenant faithfulness.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
Exodus 5:9, with its stark depiction of intensified oppression and Pharaoh's attempt to silence God's liberating word, serves as a powerful Old Testament shadow of humanity's spiritual bondage to sin and the forces of darkness. Just as Pharaoh sought to keep Israel enslaved through overwhelming labor and by dismissing God's message as "vain words," so too does sin burden humanity, making us slaves and attempting to drown out the liberating truth of the Gospel. The "work" of sin is a heavy yoke, and the "vain words" are the lies and distractions of the world that seek to keep us from hearing the voice of our true Deliverer. However, God's ultimate deliverance is found not through a human leader like Moses, but through Jesus Christ. Christ, the true and greater Deliverer, came to free us from the dominion of sin and death, offering words of eternal life that are far from "vain" but are "Spirit and life" (John 6:63). His sacrifice on the cross is the ultimate act of liberation, breaking the chains of spiritual slavery and leading His people into true freedom and worship (Galatians 5:1). He invites all who are "weary and burdened" to come to Him for rest, promising a "light yoke" and "easy burden" in stark contrast to the oppressive labor of sin and the law (Matthew 11:28-30).