Exodus 5:6 - Printer Friendly

ESV: The same day Pharaoh commanded the taskmasters of the people and their foremen,

NIV: That same day Pharaoh gave this order to the slave drivers and overseers in charge of the people:

NASB: So the same day Pharaoh commanded the taskmasters over the people and their foremen, saying,

CSB: That day Pharaoh commanded the overseers of the people as well as their foremen:

NLT: That same day Pharaoh sent this order to the Egyptian slave drivers and the Israelite foremen:

KJV: And Pharaoh commanded the same day the taskmasters of the people, and their officers, saying,

NKJV: So the same day Pharaoh commanded the taskmasters of the people and their officers, saying,

Moses and Aaron have just asked Pharaoh to let his enormous population of Israeli slaves take time off for worship (Exodus 3:18). They claimed this was a command from God—which it was (Exodus 3:10). Pharaoh has refused (Exodus 5:1–4). Their request seems to have annoyed him. He has begun wondering if he isn't being cruel enough to the Hebrews (Exodus 5:5). Without delay, he issues a command to the "taskmasters" and "foremen" of the Israelites.

Egyptians given power over Israelites as slave managers are referred to as "taskmasters," from the Hebrew word nōgesim'. This may also be translated as "oppressors" or "tyrants" (Exodus 3:7). The root word implies being forcefully pushed towards something. In English, the stereotypical image of someone armed with a whip, forcing captives to work is a "slave driver." That seems to be an apt description of these men.

The "foremen," however, are Israelites. They are labeled sōterāy', which can also be rendered as "captains," "leaders," or "managers." These are the Hebrews charged with supervising their fellow workers and reporting to the taskmasters. They are still slaves, however, and subject to the same suffering as others (Exodus 5:14–16).

Pharaoh will have specific instructions for both groups (Exodus 5:7–8); this order is intended to be brutally harsh.

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.