Exodus 5:19

ESV The foremen of the people of Israel saw that they were in trouble when they said, "You shall by no means reduce your number of bricks, your daily task each day."

NIV The Israelite overseers realized they were in trouble when they were told, "You are not to reduce the number of bricks required of you for each day."

NASB The foremen of the sons of Israel saw that they were in trouble, since they were told, 'You must not reduce your daily amount of bricks.'

CSB The Israelite foremen saw that they were in trouble when they were told, "You cannot reduce your daily quota of bricks."

NLT The Israelite foremen could see that they were in serious trouble when they were told, 'You must not reduce the number of bricks you make each day.'

KJV And the officers of the children of Israel did see that they were in evil case, after it was said, Ye shall not minish ought from your bricks of your daily task.

NKJV And the officers of the children of Israel saw that they were in trouble after it was said, “You shall not reduce any bricks from your daily quota.”

What does Exodus 5:19 mean?

These "foremen," or "supervisors," are Israeli slaves assigned as team leaders. The Hebrews are enslaved by Egypt (Exodus 1:11, 13–14) and forced to make a certain number of bricks each day. These bricks require mud, sand, and straw. Yet Egypt has suddenly stopped providing straw (Exodus 5:6–9). This is retaliation for Moses and Aaron demanding Israel's freedom (Exodus 5:1–3). When the foremen are beaten for falling production (Exodus 5:14), they appeal to Pharaoh, who blames the entire situation on the words of Moses (Exodus 5:15–18).

With a combination of sarcasm and mockery, the Egyptian king says that if Israel has time to complain, they must need more work to do. This response makes the situation clear: Pharaoh intends to punish the people, and he has the power to do it. As oppressive slavery gets worse, Israelites will begin to turn against Moses and Aaron (Exodus 5:20–21).

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