Exodus 5:14 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And the foremen of the people of Israel, whom Pharaoh 's taskmasters had set over them, were beaten and were asked, "Why have you not done all your task of making bricks today and yesterday, as in the past?"

NIV: And Pharaoh’s slave drivers beat the Israelite overseers they had appointed, demanding, "Why haven’t you met your quota of bricks yesterday or today, as before?"

NASB: Moreover, the foremen of the sons of Israel, whom Pharaoh’s taskmasters had set over them, were beaten and asked, 'Why have you not completed your required task of making bricks either yesterday or today, as before?'

CSB: Then the Israelite foremen, whom Pharaoh’s slave drivers had set over the people, were beaten and asked, "Why haven’t you finished making your prescribed number of bricks yesterday or today, as you did before?"

NLT: Then they whipped the Israelite foremen they had put in charge of the work crews. 'Why haven’t you met your quotas either yesterday or today?' they demanded.

KJV: And the officers of the children of Israel, which Pharaoh's taskmasters had set over them, were beaten, and demanded, Wherefore have ye not fulfilled your task in making brick both yesterday and to day, as heretofore?

NKJV: Also the officers of the children of Israel, whom Pharaoh’s taskmasters had set over them, were beaten and were asked, “Why have you not fulfilled your task in making brick both yesterday and today, as before?”

This is one of the expected outcomes of Pharaoh's unfair order (Exodus 5:6–8). He fully intends that the Hebrew slaves be given an impossible task. They cannot find enough random straw to make up for what Egypt no longer provides. This is meant to humiliate, and to remind them that Egypt is their master. It also creates an excuse for punishment. The "foremen" noted here are Jewish men assigned as supervisors or crew leaders among their own people. They have some authority, but they are slaves themselves.

When the impossible is not made possible, these foremen are physically beaten. The "taskmasters" of Egypt are the slave drivers given power over the Hebrews (Exodus 1:11); presumably, these are the men delivering the beatings. The question being asked is sarcastic; everyone knows why the Israelites are struggling to produce. The abused men will appeal to Pharaoh (Exodus 5:15–16), only to realize that this is a deliberately hopeless situation (Exodus 5:17–19).

This leads to another of Pharaoh's intended consequences: resentment against Moses (Exodus 5:20–21). Pharaoh is irritated at Moses' requests (Exodus 5:1–5). He hopes to intimidate the Israelites so they will not listen to men like Moses (Exodus 5:9).

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.