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.

And the taskmasters {H5065} of the people {H5971} went out {H3318}, and their officers {H7860}, and they spake {H559} to the people {H5971}, saying {H559}, Thus saith {H559} Pharaoh {H6547}, I will not give {H5414} you straw {H8401}.

The people's slavemasters went out, their foremen too, and said to the people, "Here is what Pharaoh says: 'I will no longer give you straw.

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.

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.

Commentary

Exodus 5:10 marks a pivotal moment in the narrative of Israel's liberation from Egyptian bondage, illustrating Pharaoh's immediate and harsh response to Moses and Aaron's demand for freedom. This verse details the grim decree delivered by the Egyptian taskmasters and their officers: the Israelite slaves would no longer be provided with straw for brickmaking, yet their daily quota of bricks would remain unchanged.

Historical and Cultural Context

In ancient Egypt, brickmaking was a fundamental industry, essential for constructing cities, temples, and storehouses. Straw was a crucial binding agent, mixed with clay and water to prevent bricks from cracking as they dried. Pharaoh's edict, delivered through his taskmasters (Hebrew: שָׂרֵי מִסִּים, sarei missim, meaning "chiefs of forced labor" or "tribute officers") and their officers (שֹׁטְרִים, shotrim, likely Israelite foremen caught between their oppressors and their people), was a calculated act of oppression. It was designed to break the spirit of the Israelites, making their already arduous labor even more impossible and thereby crushing any hope of deliverance that Moses and Aaron had instilled. This act immediately follows Moses and Aaron's first confrontation with Pharaoh, where Pharaoh defiantly refused to let Israel go, stating, "Who is the LORD, that I should obey his voice?"

Key Themes and Messages

  • Pharaoh's Cruelty and Defiance: This verse vividly portrays Pharaoh's hardened heart and his escalation of tyranny. Instead of relenting, he intensifies the suffering of the Israelites, demonstrating his absolute refusal to acknowledge the God of Israel.
  • Increased Oppression Before Deliverance: It highlights a common biblical pattern where suffering often intensifies just before God's mighty intervention. This period of intensified hardship serves to demonstrate God's power more clearly when He finally acts, leaving no doubt that only He could bring salvation.
  • God's Sovereignty in Suffering: Even amidst this severe oppression, God remained sovereign. The suffering of the Israelites, while painful, was part of God's larger plan to bring judgment upon Egypt and to display His glory, ultimately leading to Israel's miraculous exodus.

Related Scriptures

The immediate consequence of this decree is seen in Exodus 5:11, where the people are forced to gather stubble for straw, and Exodus 5:12, describing their desperate search. This increased burden leads to the Israelite officers complaining directly to Moses and Aaron in Exodus 5:21, blaming them for their plight. However, this dark moment sets the stage for God to reaffirm His covenant promises and declare His intention to deliver His people with a mighty hand, as promised in Exodus 6:6-7, fulfilling the promise made when God heard their groaning.

Practical Application

Exodus 5:10 offers profound lessons for believers today. It reminds us that:

  • God is Present in Oppression: Even when circumstances seem to worsen and the burden becomes unbearable, God is aware of our suffering.
  • Perseverance Through Adversity: Challenges and increased pressure can be part of God's refining process, preparing us for a greater display of His power and deliverance.
  • Trust in God's Timing: Just as the Israelites endured intensified suffering before their miraculous liberation, we are called to trust God's perfect timing and method for our deliverance, knowing that His ultimate victory is assured.
This verse underscores the reality that spiritual battles often involve escalating opposition before breakthrough, compelling us to rely fully on divine strength rather than human efforts.

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Cross-References

  • Exodus 1:11 (3 votes)

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

  • Proverbs 29:12 (2 votes)

    ¶ If a ruler hearken to lies, all his servants [are] wicked.

  • Exodus 3:7 (2 votes)

    ¶ And the LORD said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which [are] in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows;