Exodus 5:17

But he said, Ye [are] idle, [ye are] idle: therefore ye say, Let us go [and] do sacrifice to the LORD.

But he said {H559}, Ye are idle {H7503}, ye are idle {H7503}: therefore ye say {H559}, Let us go {H3212} and do sacrifice {H2076} to the LORD {H3068}.

"Lazy!" he retorted, "You're just lazy! That's why you say, 'Let us go and sacrifice to ADONAI.'

“You are slackers!” Pharaoh replied. “Slackers! That is why you keep saying, ‘Let us go and sacrifice to the LORD.’

But he said, Ye are idle, ye are idle: therefore ye say, Let us go and sacrifice to Jehovah.

Commentary

Exodus 5:17 captures Pharaoh's dismissive and cruel response to Moses and Aaron's request for the Israelites to worship the LORD in the wilderness. This verse is pivotal in illustrating the escalating conflict between God's will for His people and Pharaoh's stubborn resistance.

Context of Exodus 5:17

This verse immediately follows Moses and Aaron's initial confrontation with Pharaoh, where they delivered God's command to "Let my people go" (Exodus 5:1). Pharaoh's infamous reply in Exodus 5:2, "Who is the LORD, that I should obey his voice...?", sets the stage for his subsequent actions. Instead of granting their request for a three-day journey to offer sacrifices, Pharaoh accused the Israelites of being lazy and seeking to escape their labor. As a direct consequence, he intensified their suffering by decreeing that they must now gather their own straw for brick-making, while still meeting the same daily quota (Exodus 5:6-9). Verse 17 is Pharaoh's justification for this increased oppression, aiming to crush their spirit and devotion.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Pharaoh's Deception and Oppression: Pharaoh's accusation of "idleness" is a thinly veiled excuse to deny the Israelites their religious freedom and maintain his absolute control. It highlights the oppressive nature of his regime and his refusal to acknowledge God's authority or the legitimate spiritual needs of the people.
  • Misunderstanding of Worship: From Pharaoh's purely materialistic and pragmatic worldview, the desire to worship God was seen as a distraction from labor, a sign of laziness or a ploy to escape work. He could not comprehend the sacred importance of offering sacrifice to the LORD, valuing only physical output.
  • The Cost of Following God: For the Israelites, seeking to obey God's command immediately resulted in increased suffering and hardship. This foreshadows the truth that obedience to God often comes with challenges, and those who serve Him may face resistance and persecution from worldly powers, as seen in Matthew 5:10.
  • Divine Purpose vs. Human Obstinacy: Despite Pharaoh's stubbornness and cruel tactics, God's ultimate plan for the deliverance of Israel would not be thwarted. Pharaoh's actions, though wicked, ultimately served to demonstrate God's power and faithfulness.

Linguistic Insights

The repetition of "Ye are idle, ye are idle" in the KJV translation comes from the Hebrew word רפים (raphim), meaning "slack," "lazy," "feeble," or "remiss." The doubling of the word is a common Hebrew idiom used for emphasis, powerfully conveying Pharaoh's contempt and his firm conviction that the Israelites were merely trying to shirk their work. This was not a casual accusation but a deliberate and emphatic charge designed to justify his harsh decree and break their will.

Practical Application

Exodus 5:17 serves as a powerful reminder that spiritual opposition often manifests through false accusations and increased burdens. In our own lives, when we seek to prioritize God, whether through worship, service, or obedience, we may encounter resistance or be accused of being unproductive by worldly standards. This verse encourages believers to:

  • Discern Opposition: Recognize when genuine spiritual desires or calls to worship are misconstrued or attacked by those who do not understand or acknowledge God.
  • Stand Firm in Faith: Even when faced with increased pressure or hardship, remain steadfast in the commitment to worship and obey God. Our ultimate allegiance is to the LORD, not to earthly taskmasters who seek to control our lives.
  • Understand True Productivity: True productivity in God's eyes is not solely about material output but about spiritual devotion, obedience, and living according to His will. Prioritizing Him is never idleness.

This episode highlights the ongoing spiritual battle where the world often views devotion to God as a waste of time or an impediment to worldly success, much as Pharaoh viewed the Israelites' desire to worship the LORD.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Matthew 26:8 (2 votes)

    But when his disciples saw [it], they had indignation, saying, To what purpose [is] this waste?

  • John 6:27 (2 votes)

    Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.

  • Exodus 5:8 (2 votes)

    And the tale of the bricks, which they did make heretofore, ye shall lay upon them; ye shall not diminish [ought] thereof: for they [be] idle; therefore they cry, saying, Let us go [and] sacrifice to our God.

  • 2 Thessalonians 3:10 (2 votes)

    For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.

  • 2 Thessalonians 3:11 (2 votes)

    For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.