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Exodus 5:13
ESV The taskmasters were urgent, saying, "Complete your work, your daily task each day, as when there was straw."
NIV The slave drivers kept pressing them, saying, "Complete the work required of you for each day, just as when you had straw."
NASB And the taskmasters pressed them, saying, 'Complete your work quota, your daily amount, just as when you had straw.'
CSB The overseers insisted, "Finish your assigned work each day, just as you did when straw was provided."
NLT Meanwhile, the Egyptian slave drivers continued to push hard. 'Meet your daily quota of bricks, just as you did when we provided you with straw!' they demanded.
KJV And the taskmasters hasted them, saying, Fulfil your works, your daily tasks, as when there was straw.
NKJV And the taskmasters forced them to hurry, saying, “Fulfill your work, your daily quota, as when there was straw.”

What does Exodus 5:13 mean?

Israel has been enslaved for centuries in Egypt (Exodus 1:13–14). To control their work, Egypt uses "taskmasters," also called "slave drivers" or "overseers." The Hebrew word for their role is also used for tyranny and oppression. These men pass along Pharaoh's new, vindictive command: keep making bricks, but without being given the straw required. Find straw yourself (Exodus 5:6–12). This is a response to Moses' initial command from God about Israel being allowed to leave for worship (Exodus 5:1–5).

Pharaoh was fully aware that this was an impossible request. His real goal was to humiliate and punish the Hebrews for listening to Moses. Demanding an impossible quota provides an excuse to abuse the slaves (Exodus 5:14) and makes the Israelites resent Moses for making their lives even worse (Exodus 5:20–21).

As one might expect, Moses wonders how this is part of the Lord's plan (Exodus 5:22–23). God will reassure Moses that the situation is under control (Exodus 6:1). Soon, the Lord will begin a series of catastrophic judgments against Egypt (Exodus 3:20).
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