Exodus 5:3

¶ And they said, The God of the Hebrews hath met with us: let us go, we pray thee, three days' journey into the desert, and sacrifice unto the LORD our God; lest he fall upon us with pestilence, or with the sword.

And they said {H559}, The God {H430} of the Hebrews {H5680} hath met {H7122} with us: let us go {H3212}, we pray thee, three {H7969} days {H3117}' journey {H1870} into the desert {H4057}, and sacrifice {H2076} unto the LORD {H3068} our God {H430}; lest he fall {H6293} upon us with pestilence {H1698}, or with the sword {H2719}.

They said, "The God of the Hebrews has met with us. Please let us go three days' journey into the desert, so that we can sacrifice to ADONAI our God. Otherwise, he may strike us with a plague or with the sword."

“The God of the Hebrews has met with us,” they answered. “Please let us go on a three-day journey into the wilderness to sacrifice to the LORD our God, or He may strike us with plagues or with the sword.”

And they said, The God of the Hebrews hath met with us: let us go, we pray thee, three days’ journey into the wilderness, and sacrifice unto Jehovah our God, lest he fall upon us with pestilence, or with the sword.

Commentary

Exodus 5:3 marks a pivotal moment in the narrative of Israel's deliverance, as Moses and Aaron deliver God's direct command to Pharaoh for the first time, setting the stage for the dramatic confrontation that follows.

Context

This verse immediately follows Moses and Aaron's initial approach to Pharaoh, where they present God's demand: "Let my people go" (Exodus 5:1). Pharaoh's immediate and defiant response in Exodus 5:2 is to deny knowledge of the LORD and refuse to release Israel, scoffing at the authority of the "God of the Hebrews." In this verse, Moses and Aaron reiterate their divine commission, emphasizing the specific ritual request and the dire consequences if Pharaoh refuses.

Historically, the ancient Near East saw kings as divine or divinely appointed, making Pharaoh's refusal to acknowledge a foreign deity, especially one demanding the release of his slave labor, a profound act of defiance against a perceived higher power. The request for a "three days' journey into the desert" was a strategic move to ensure separation from Egyptian idolatry, allowing for worship that would be ritually pure and distinct from pagan practices.

Key Themes

  • Divine Authority and Mandate: The phrase "The God of the Hebrews hath met with us" clearly establishes that Moses and Aaron are acting on divine orders, not their own initiative. This confrontation is ultimately between God and Pharaoh, not just Moses and Pharaoh.
  • The Nature of Worship: God demands that His people worship Him on His terms, which includes a specific location ("three days' journey into the desert") and act ("sacrifice unto the LORD our God"). This highlights the importance of dedicated and separate worship for God's people.
  • Consequences of Disobedience: The warning "lest he fall upon us with pestilence, or with the sword" is a veiled threat of divine judgment. It implies that God is sovereign and will enforce His will, demonstrating His power over life and death. This foreshadows the plagues that would later afflict Egypt.
  • God's Ownership of His People: By identifying as the "God of the Hebrews," the LORD asserts His unique relationship with Israel, implying His protection and ultimate claim over them, even in slavery.

Linguistic Insights

The term "LORD" in the King James Version, when capitalized, typically represents the Hebrew personal name of God, Yahweh (often rendered as Jehovah). This name signifies God's covenant relationship with Israel and His active presence. The phrase "hath met with us" (Hebrew: niqra' alenu) implies a divine encounter, a calling, or a summoning, emphasizing the direct communication and commissioning of Moses and Aaron by God Himself.

Practical Application

Exodus 5:3 reminds us that God's commands are non-negotiable, and His will must be obeyed. For believers today, it underscores the importance of:

  • Prioritizing God's Will: Like Moses and Aaron, we are called to boldly declare God's truth, even when it challenges worldly authorities or popular opinion.
  • Dedicated Worship: Just as Israel needed to separate themselves to worship, believers are called to set apart time and space for genuine worship and devotion to God, free from worldly distractions and influences.
  • Understanding Divine Sovereignty: This verse illustrates God's ultimate power over all rulers and nations. He will bring His purposes to pass, and resistance to His will ultimately leads to divine judgment. This offers comfort and assurance that God is in control, even amidst challenging circumstances, much like the promise that all things work together for good for those who love God.
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Cross-References

  • Exodus 3:18 (5 votes)

    And they shall hearken to thy voice: and thou shalt come, thou and the elders of Israel, unto the king of Egypt, and ye shall say unto him, The LORD God of the Hebrews hath met with us: and now let us go, we beseech thee, three days' journey into the wilderness, that we may sacrifice to the LORD our God.

  • Ezra 7:23 (2 votes)

    Whatsoever is commanded by the God of heaven, let it be diligently done for the house of the God of heaven: for why should there be wrath against the realm of the king and his sons?

  • Ezekiel 6:11 (2 votes)

    ¶ Thus saith the Lord GOD; Smite with thine hand, and stamp with thy foot, and say, Alas for all the evil abominations of the house of Israel! for they shall fall by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence.

  • Deuteronomy 28:21 (2 votes)

    The LORD shall make the pestilence cleave unto thee, until he have consumed thee from off the land, whither thou goest to possess it.

  • 2 Kings 17:25 (2 votes)

    And [so] it was at the beginning of their dwelling there, [that] they feared not the LORD: therefore the LORD sent lions among them, which slew [some] of them.

  • 2 Chronicles 30:8 (2 votes)

    Now be ye not stiffnecked, as your fathers [were, but] yield yourselves unto the LORD, and enter into his sanctuary, which he hath sanctified for ever: and serve the LORD your God, that the fierceness of his wrath may turn away from you.

  • Zechariah 14:16 (2 votes)

    ¶ And it shall come to pass, [that] every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles.