Exodus 5:12 - Printer Friendly

ESV: So the people were scattered throughout all the land of Egypt to gather stubble for straw.

NIV: So the people scattered all over Egypt to gather stubble to use for straw.

NASB: So the people scattered through all the land of Egypt to gather stubble for straw.

CSB: So the people scattered throughout the land of Egypt to gather stubble for straw.

NLT: So the people scattered throughout the land of Egypt in search of stubble to use as straw.

KJV: So the people were scattered abroad throughout all the land of Egypt to gather stubble instead of straw.

NKJV: So the people were scattered abroad throughout all the land of Egypt to gather stubble instead of straw.

The people in this verse are the Hebrews, enslaved in Egypt for centuries (Exodus 1:13–14). Moses has confronted the Egyptian king, demanding the people be allowed time for worship (Exodus 5:1–4). Instead, the irritated Pharaoh has spitefully commanded the slaves to make their quota of bricks without being given straw, a major component (Exodus 5:5–11).

The result of this cruel command was to drastically increase the slaves' workload. This probably required all Hebrews, including women and children, to search everywhere for stalks of straw to be used for making bricks. Egyptians were masterful farmers, but the land itself was not naturally productive. Without Egyptian farmers providing the unused stems of crops, finding enough to continue making bricks would be an impossible task.

As Pharaoh intended, this will provide an excuse to punish the Israelites (Exodus 5:14). It will also inspire resentment against Moses (Exodus 5:20–21).

Exodus 5:1–14 describes the first encounter between Moses and Egypt's ruler, Pharaoh (Exodus 4:21–23). When Moses asks that Israel be released for a period of worship (Exodus 3:18), Pharaoh flatly refuses. In fact, he retaliates against the Hebrews by forcing them to make the same quota of bricks (Exodus 1:13–14) without being provided the usual raw materials. This is impossible; the cruel punishments which follow are exactly what Pharaoh intended with his spiteful command.

Moses and Aaron have their first meeting with Egypt's king, the pharaoh. Though they are there to free Israel entirely (Exodus 3:10), they begin with a much less dramatic request: three days to worship their God in the wilderness (Exodus 3:18). Pharaoh refuses. Instead, he spitefully cuts off supply of raw materials—straw—while demanding the same output from the Hebrew slaves. This increases the peoples' burden and gives Pharaoh's taskmasters excuse to abuse them. When the Israelites turn against Moses, he expresses confusion to God.

Moses encountered the Lord (Exodus 3:4–6) during his exile (Exodus 2:15). God commanded Moses to return to Egypt and demand the freedom of the nation of Israel (Exodus 4:21–23). The people had come into Egypt in the days of Joseph (Exodus 1:1–7). Later, they fell into slavery and oppression (Exodus 1:13–14). The first request, in this chapter, is not received well. God will soon bring disasters on Egypt and its stubborn ruler (Exodus 3:10) until His peo-ple are finally released (Exodus 12:41).

The book of Exodus establishes God's covenant relationship with the full-fledged nation of Israel. The descendants of Abraham prosper after settling in Egypt, only to be enslaved by a fearful, hateful Egyptian Pharaoh. God appoints Moses to lead the people out of this bondage. Moses serves as God's spokesman, as the Lord brings plagues and judgments on Egypt, leading to the release of Israel.

Accessed 4/15/2025 11:02:35 PM