Exodus 5:4

ESV But the king of Egypt said to them, "Moses and Aaron, why do you take the people away from their work? Get back to your burdens."

NIV But the king of Egypt said, "Moses and Aaron, why are you taking the people away from their labor? Get back to your work!"

NASB But the king of Egypt said to them, 'Moses and Aaron, why do you let the people neglect their work? Get back to your labors!'

CSB The king of Egypt said to them, "Moses and Aaron, why are you causing the people to neglect their work? Get to your labor!"

NLT Pharaoh replied, 'Moses and Aaron, why are you distracting the people from their tasks? Get back to work!

KJV And the king of Egypt said unto them, Wherefore do ye, Moses and Aaron, let the people from their works? get you unto your burdens.

NKJV Then the king of Egypt said to them, “Moses and Aaron, why do you take the people from their work? Get back to your labor.”

What does Exodus 5:4 mean?

"Pharaoh" is the title (Exodus 5:1) given to the ruler of Egypt (Genesis 40:1, 5; 41:46). Over time, Egypt turned from welcoming the Israelites (Genesis 47:5–6) to enslaving them (Exodus 1:13–14). God has sent Moses (Exodus 3:4–6, 10) to demand release of the people. This began with a request that the nation be allowed to travel a few days into the wilderness for worship (Exodus 3:18; 5:1, 3). Pharaoh responded with a sneering dismissal of the Lord (Exodus 5:2). Here, the king seems to grow irritated with Moses and Aaron.

Pharaoh realizes that Moses and Aaron are speaking with support from the Israelites. So, he dismissively criticizes them for not focusing on their slave labors. He tells them, in essence, "get back to work." That includes Moses and Aaron, who are both in their eighties (Exodus 7:7). Under his pagan worldview, Pharaoh saw the Hebrews as mere slaves, not as image-bearers of God (Genesis 1:27; Galatians 3:28). The request for time to worship offends this ruler who sees Israelites as nothing but a source of labor (Exodus 5:5).

Expand

What is the Gospel?

Download the app: