Exodus 5:13 - Printer Friendly

ESV: The taskmasters were urgent, saying, "Complete your work, your daily task each day, as when there was straw."

NIV: The slave drivers kept pressing them, saying, "Complete the work required of you for each day, just as when you had straw."

NASB: And the taskmasters pressed them, saying, 'Complete your work quota, your daily amount, just as when you had straw.'

CSB: The overseers insisted, "Finish your assigned work each day, just as you did when straw was provided."

NLT: Meanwhile, the Egyptian slave drivers continued to push hard. 'Meet your daily quota of bricks, just as you did when we provided you with straw!' they demanded.

KJV: And the taskmasters hasted them, saying, Fulfil your works, your daily tasks, as when there was straw.

NKJV: And the taskmasters forced them to hurry, saying, “Fulfill your work, your daily quota, as when there was straw.”

Israel has been enslaved for centuries in Egypt (Exodus 1:13–14). To control their work, Egypt uses "taskmasters," also called "slave drivers" or "overseers." The Hebrew word for their role is also used for tyranny and oppression. These men pass along Pharaoh's new, vindictive command: keep making bricks, but without being given the straw required. Find straw yourself (Exodus 5:6–12). This is a response to Moses' initial command from God about Israel being allowed to leave for worship (Exodus 5:1–5).

Pharaoh was fully aware that this was an impossible request. His real goal was to humiliate and punish the Hebrews for listening to Moses. Demanding an impossible quota provides an excuse to abuse the slaves (Exodus 5:14) and makes the Israelites resent Moses for making their lives even worse (Exodus 5:20–21).

As one might expect, Moses wonders how this is part of the Lord's plan (Exodus 5:22–23). God will reassure Moses that the situation is under control (Exodus 6:1). Soon, the Lord will begin a series of catastrophic judgments against Egypt (Exodus 3:20).

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 6/15/2025 11:43:48 AM