Exodus 5:19 - Printer Friendly

ESV: The foremen of the people of Israel saw that they were in trouble when they said, "You shall by no means reduce your number of bricks, your daily task each day."

NIV: The Israelite overseers realized they were in trouble when they were told, "You are not to reduce the number of bricks required of you for each day."

NASB: The foremen of the sons of Israel saw that they were in trouble, since they were told, 'You must not reduce your daily amount of bricks.'

CSB: The Israelite foremen saw that they were in trouble when they were told, "You cannot reduce your daily quota of bricks."

NLT: The Israelite foremen could see that they were in serious trouble when they were told, 'You must not reduce the number of bricks you make each day.'

KJV: And the officers of the children of Israel did see that they were in evil case, after it was said, Ye shall not minish ought from your bricks of your daily task.

NKJV: And the officers of the children of Israel saw that they were in trouble after it was said, “You shall not reduce any bricks from your daily quota.”

These "foremen," or "supervisors," are Israeli slaves assigned as team leaders. The Hebrews are enslaved by Egypt (Exodus 1:11, 13–14) and forced to make a certain number of bricks each day. These bricks require mud, sand, and straw. Yet Egypt has suddenly stopped providing straw (Exodus 5:6–9). This is retaliation for Moses and Aaron demanding Israel's freedom (Exodus 5:1–3). When the foremen are beaten for falling production (Exodus 5:14), they appeal to Pharaoh, who blames the entire situation on the words of Moses (Exodus 5:15–18).

With a combination of sarcasm and mockery, the Egyptian king says that if Israel has time to complain, they must need more work to do. This response makes the situation clear: Pharaoh intends to punish the people, and he has the power to do it. As oppressive slavery gets worse, Israelites will begin to turn against Moses and Aaron (Exodus 5:20–21).

Exodus 5:15–23 records the aftermath of Moses and Aaron's first encounter with Egypt's king. Rather than agreeing to let Israel go, the Pharaoh spitefully cut off access to raw materials while demanding that the enslaved people (Exodus 1:13–14) maintain production. This leads to a backlash against Moses and Aaron; the people blame them for making their lives even harder. Moses experiences doubt. He wonders why the situation is worse, not better. The Lord will respond with reassurance (Exodus 6:1).

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 4/18/2025 1:05:34 PM