Exodus 5:23

ESV For since I came to Pharaoh to speak in your name, he has done evil to this people, and you have not delivered your people at all."

NIV Ever since I went to Pharaoh to speak in your name, he has brought trouble on this people, and you have not rescued your people at all."

NASB Ever since I came to Pharaoh to speak in Your name, he has done harm to this people, and You have not rescued Your people at all.'

CSB Ever since I went in to Pharaoh to speak in your name he has caused trouble for this people, and you haven’t rescued your people at all."

NLT Ever since I came to Pharaoh as your spokesman, he has been even more brutal to your people. And you have done nothing to rescue them!'

KJV For since I came to Pharaoh to speak in thy name, he hath done evil to this people; neither hast thou delivered thy people at all.

NKJV For since I came to Pharaoh to speak in Your name, he has done evil to this people; neither have You delivered Your people at all.”

What does Exodus 5:23 mean?

Moses obeyed God's call (Exodus 3:4–6, 10). He returned to Egypt (Exodus 4:19–23) and brought the Lord's message (Exodus 5:1–3). But the immediate result was a worse situation for the Hebrew slaves (Exodus 5:6–9). The people are angry with Moses for provoking their new suffering (Exodus 5:20–21). He has expressed his disappointment to the Lord, wondering why this is happening (Exodus 5:22). Here, this complaint continues. Moses sees no positive results. There are only seemingly-negative consequences, rejection, and resentment.

From Moses' limited point of view, there seems no reason that events ought to play out this way. This is a common problem of human experience (Habakkuk 1:2–4). Fortunately, God sees what we cannot and already knows the outcome (Habakkuk 1:5). God's plan is only beginning (Isaiah 55:8–9). This is not completely unexpected: God mentioned that something like this would occur (Exodus 3:19–20). Still, the Lord will graciously respond to Moses' disappointment with reassurance (Exodus 6:1). The end of all these struggles will be the liberation of Israel (Exodus 6:6; 18:9–10).

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