*In these verses we see the beginning of a divine confrontation that is not merely about leaving Egypt, but about trusting God's timing and purpose. Moses and Aaron stand before Pharaoh with a message that carries the weight of eternity, yet they are met with doubt and resistance. The heart of this chapter reminds us that God's plans often unfold through trials, shaping our faith as we wait for His promises to be fulfilled. Let us hold fast to the assurance that the Almighty is at work, even when we cannot see His hand.*
Exodus — Chapter 5 — KJV
1
And afterward Moses and Aaron went in, and told Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Let my people go, that they may hold a feast unto me in the wilderness.
Simply PutMoses and Aaron went up before Pharaoh with a message from the LORD (Strong's H3068), God of Israel. He asked that His people be allowed to go into the wilderness and hold a feast (Strong's H6283) for Him. This was not just about food; it was a call to remember God, to worship, and to trust Him outside the comfort of Egypt.
2
And Pharaoh said, Who is the LORD, that I should obey his voice to let Israel go? I know not the LORD, neither will I let Israel go.
Simply PutPharaoh scoffed at the request, asking, “Who is this LORD that I must obey His voice?” He claimed he didn’t know the LORD (H3068) and refused to let Israel go. In this moment of doubt, Pharaoh is showing how pride can blind us from hearing God’s call.
3
And they said, The God of the Hebrews hath met with us: let us go, we pray thee, three days’ journey into the desert, and sacrifice unto the LORD our God; lest he fall upon us with pestilence, or with the sword.
Simply PutThe Israelites pleaded that the “God of the Hebrews has met with us.” They begged for a three-day journey into the desert to sacrifice (H6283) to the LORD, fearing that if they didn’t, He might punish them with pestilence (G5716) or the sword. Their words reveal a deep hunger for worship and a fear of divine judgment.
4
And the king of Egypt said unto them, Wherefore do ye, Moses and Aaron, let the people from their works? get you unto your burdens.
Simply PutThe king of Egypt demanded, “Why do you, Moses and Aaron, try to get the people away from their work?” He told them to return to their burdens (H2078). Pharaoh’s response was an attempt to keep the Israelites tied down, fearing their freedom would undermine his control.
5
And Pharaoh said, Behold, the people of the land now are many, and ye make them rest from their burdens.
Simply Put“The people of the land are many,” Pharaoh said, “and you make them rest from their burdens.” He was worried that if the Israelites left, Egypt’s labor would be weakened. This shows how fear can drive leaders to oppress the very people they need.
6
And Pharaoh commanded the same day the taskmasters of the people, and their officers, saying,
Simply PutThat same day, Pharaoh gave new orders to the taskmasters of the people and their officials. The word “taskmaster” (Strong's H6653) indicates those appointed to supervise the work. It set the stage for a harsher oppression.
7
Ye shall no more give the people straw to make brick, as heretofore: let them go and gather straw for themselves.
Simply Put“You shall no longer give the people straw,” Pharaoh commanded. The Hebrew word for straw (Strong's H814) is what they used to make bricks. By taking it away, Pharaoh was testing their obedience and increasing their suffering.
8
And the tale of the bricks, which they did make heretofore, ye shall lay upon them; ye shall not diminish ought thereof: for they be idle; therefore they cry, saying, Let us go and sacrifice to our God.
Simply PutHe warned the people that they must produce the same number of bricks (H2060) as before, even though they had no straw. He accused them of being idle (Strong's H7585) and said they wanted to go and sacrifice (H6283). The accusation was a trap, aiming to crush their hope for worship.
9
Let there more work be laid upon the men, that they may labour therein; and let them not regard vain words.
Simply Put“Make more work be laid upon them,” Pharaoh said, “that they may labor.” He wanted to keep them busy and not let them hear the “vain words” (H3775) about worship. The phrase “the work be heavy upon the men” (Hebrew H2060) shows his intention to break their spirits.
10
And the taskmasters of the people went out, and their officers, and they spake to the people, saying, Thus saith Pharaoh, I will not give you straw.
Simply PutThe taskmasters and officers went out to the people, telling them, “This is what Pharaoh says: I will not give you straw.” Their words were a harsh proclamation of the new oppression. The people’s hope for worship was being smothered by scarcity.
11
Go ye, get you straw where ye can find it: yet not ought of your work shall be diminished.
Simply Put“Go and get straw wherever you can find it,” Pharaoh said, “but do not diminish any of your work.” The people were forced to find their own material while still meeting the same quotas. This was a cruel test of endurance.
12
So the people were scattered abroad throughout all the land of Egypt to gather stubble instead of straw.
Simply PutThe people were scattered throughout the land of Egypt, searching everywhere for straw. Their daily task (Hebrew H6640) was now even harder because they had no material. The scattering shows how the oppression spread across Egypt.
13
And the taskmasters hasted them, saying, Fulfil your works, your daily tasks, as when there was straw.
Simply PutThe taskmasters urged them, “Finish your work as if you had straw.” They wanted the work done each day (Hebrew H6640) under impossible conditions. The pressure was relentless, crushing any hope for rest.
14
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?
Simply PutPharaoh’s officers beat the overseers of Israel and demanded, “Why have you not fulfilled your brick work both yesterday and today?” The Hebrew word for beaten (Strong's H657) shows the physical punishment they endured. This was a direct attack on their leadership.
15
Then the officers of the children of Israel came and cried unto Pharaoh, saying, Wherefore dealest thou thus with thy servants?
Simply PutThe Israelite officers cried out to Pharaoh, “Why are you treating us so harshly?” They appealed for mercy and explanation. Their cries reflect a deep desperation under oppression.
16
There is no straw given unto thy servants, and they say to us, Make brick: and, behold, thy servants are beaten; but the fault is in thine own people.
Simply Put“There is no straw,” they told Pharaoh, “yet you demand we make bricks.” They argued that the fault was with the people’s lack of straw, not their laziness. Pharaoh refused to accept this explanation.
17
But he said, Ye are idle, ye are idle: therefore ye say, Let us go and do sacrifice to the LORD.
Simply Put“You are idle,” Pharaoh said, “and that’s why you want to go and sacrifice.” He twisted their desire for worship into an accusation of laziness (Strong's H7585). This was a manipulation to keep them chained.
18
Go therefore now, and work; for there shall no straw be given you, yet shall ye deliver the tale of bricks.
Simply Put“Go and work,” Pharaoh commanded, “for there will be no straw, yet you must deliver the bricks.” He forced them to meet an impossible quota without any material. This was a test of their endurance and faith.
19
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.
20
And they met Moses and Aaron, who stood in the way, as they came forth from Pharaoh:
Simply PutThey met Moses and Aaron, who were standing in the way as they came from Pharaoh. This encounter set up a confrontation between God’s messengers and the king who refused to listen.
21
And they said unto them, The LORD look upon you, and judge; because ye have made our savour to be abhorred in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of his servants, to put a sword in their hand to slay us.
Simply Put“The LORD look upon you and judge,” they cried. They felt that the oppression had made them abhorred in Pharaoh’s eyes, like a stench (Strong's H179). They hoped that God would intervene and bring justice.
22
And Moses returned unto the LORD, and said, LORD, wherefore hast thou so evil entreated this people? why is it that thou hast sent me?
Simply PutMoses returned to the LORD and asked, “Lord, why have you brought this evil upon my people?” He wondered why God sent him when the situation seemed to worsen. This reflects a common feeling of abandonment in trials.
23
For since I came to Pharaoh to speak in thy name, he hath done evil to this people; neither hast thou delivered thy people at all.
Simply Put“Since I went to Pharaoh, he has done evil to my people,” Moses complained. He felt that God hadn’t delivered them (Strong's H1240) from the oppression. This is an honest lament, showing that even faithful servants can feel confused and frustrated in God's timing.
When life's demands scatter you across multiple responsibilities, and you're forced into more demanding work than anticipated—like gathering stubble instead of straw—how does that shift your sense of purpose or hope today?
✦ Cross-References
Exodus 3:14This verse answers Pharaoh's query in v2, "Who is the LORD?" by revealing God's self‑identification as “I AM THAT I AM.”
Exodus 6:1Following the increased burdens in v7, God reassures Moses that He will deliver Israel, highlighting the transition from oppression to promise.
Romans 9:19Paul reflects on God's sovereign use of Pharaoh's hardened heart, illuminating the theological significance of the oppression described in v5‑v7.
Hebrews 3:7The writer warns the Israelites to hear God's voice, echoing the warning in v1–v2 that disobedience leads to continued bondage.
