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Exodus 5:20
ESV They met Moses and Aaron, who were waiting for them, as they came out from Pharaoh;
NIV When they left Pharaoh, they found Moses and Aaron waiting to meet them,
NASB When they left Pharaoh’s presence, they met Moses and Aaron as they were waiting for them.
CSB When they left Pharaoh, they confronted Moses and Aaron, who stood waiting to meet them.
NLT As they left Pharaoh’s court, they confronted Moses and Aaron, who were waiting outside for them.
KJV And they met Moses and Aaron, who stood in the way, as they came forth from Pharaoh:
NKJV Then, as they came out from Pharaoh, they met Moses and Aaron who stood there to meet them.

What does Exodus 5:20 mean?

The men confronting Moses and Aaron are enslaved Jewish men assigned as supervisors over the people (Exodus 1:13–14). Pharaoh has forced the slaves into an impossible level of work (Exodus 5:14–16) because of Moses and Aaron's recent requests (Exodus 5:1–3). In a threatening way, Pharaoh implies that if the people have enough time and energy left over for complaints, they must need more work (Exodus 5:17–18). This is no accident: it's a ploy meant to embarrass and further abuse the people (Exodus 5:6–9, 19).

When the meeting is over, the foremen speak with Moses and Aaron. As Pharaoh likely hoped, the Hebrews blame the two men for provoking this situation. In fact, they will call for God's judgment against what they see as troublemakers (Exodus 5:21). Whether the elders feel the same way (Exodus 4:29–31), it's clear the people are angry. Even Moses will express doubt about how this fits into the Lord's plan (Exodus 5:22–23).
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