Back to Exodus 5

Exodus 5:6-18

The same day Pharaoh commanded the taskmasters of the people and their officers, saying, “You shall no longer give the people straw to make brick, as before. Let them go and gather straw for themselves. You shall require from them the number of the bricks which they made before. You shall not diminish anything of it, for they are idle. Therefore they cry, saying, ‘Let’s go and sacrifice to our God.’ Let heavier work be laid on the men, that they may labor in it. Don’t let them pay any attention to lying words.”

The taskmasters of the people went out, and their officers, and they spoke to the people, saying, “This is what Pharaoh says: ‘I will not give you straw. Go yourselves, get straw where you can find it, for nothing of your work shall be diminished.’ ” So the people were scattered abroad throughout all the land of Egypt to gather stubble for straw. The taskmasters were urgent saying, “Fulfill your work quota daily, as when there was straw!” The officers of the children of Israel, whom Pharaoh’s taskmasters had set over them, were beaten, and were asked, “Why haven’t you fulfilled your quota both yesterday and today, in making brick as before?”

Then the officers of the children of Israel came and cried to Pharaoh, saying, “Why do you deal this way with your servants? No straw is given to your servants, and they tell us, ‘Make brick!’ and behold, your servants are beaten; but the fault is in your own people.”

But Pharaoh said, “You are idle! You are idle! Therefore you say, ‘Let’s go and sacrifice to Yahweh.’ Go therefore now, and work; for no straw shall be given to you; yet you shall deliver the same number of bricks!”

World English Bible · Public Domain
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Exodus 5:6-18 sits inside this longer paragraph.

The king of Egypt said to them, “Why do you, Moses and Aaron, take the people from their work? Get back to your burdens!” Pharaoh said, “Behold, the people of the land are now many, and you make them rest from their burdens.” The same day Pharaoh commanded the taskmasters of the people and their officers, saying, “You shall no longer give the people straw to make brick, as before. Let them go and gather straw for themselves. You shall require from them the number of the bricks which they made before. You shall not diminish anything of it, for they are idle. Therefore they cry, saying, ‘Let’s go and sacrifice to our God.’ Let heavier work be laid on the men, that they may labor in it. Don’t let them pay any attention to lying words.”

The taskmasters of the people went out, and their officers, and they spoke to the people, saying, “This is what Pharaoh says: ‘I will not give you straw. Go yourselves, get straw where you can find it, for nothing of your work shall be diminished.’ ” So the people were scattered abroad throughout all the land of Egypt to gather stubble for straw. The taskmasters were urgent saying, “Fulfill your work quota daily, as when there was straw!” The officers of the children of Israel, whom Pharaoh’s taskmasters had set over them, were beaten, and were asked, “Why haven’t you fulfilled your quota both yesterday and today, in making brick as before?”

Then the officers of the children of Israel came and cried to Pharaoh, saying, “Why do you deal this way with your servants? No straw is given to your servants, and they tell us, ‘Make brick!’ and behold, your servants are beaten; but the fault is in your own people.”

But Pharaoh said, “You are idle! You are idle! Therefore you say, ‘Let’s go and sacrifice to Yahweh.’ Go therefore now, and work; for no straw shall be given to you; yet you shall deliver the same number of bricks!”

Read all of Exodus 5 →

Parallel Translations

  • WEB World English Bible

    The same day Pharaoh commanded the taskmasters of the people and their officers, saying,

    “You shall no longer give the people straw to make brick, as before. Let them go and gather straw for themselves.

    You shall require from them the number of the bricks which they made before. You shall not diminish anything of it, for they are idle. Therefore they cry, saying, ‘Let’s go and sacrifice to our God.’

    Let heavier work be laid on the men, that they may labor in it. Don’t let them pay any attention to lying words.”

    The taskmasters of the people went out, and their officers, and they spoke to the people, saying, “This is what Pharaoh says: ‘I will not give you straw.

    Go yourselves, get straw where you can find it, for nothing of your work shall be diminished.’ ”

    So the people were scattered abroad throughout all the land of Egypt to gather stubble for straw.

    The taskmasters were urgent saying, “Fulfill your work quota daily, as when there was straw!”

    The officers of the children of Israel, whom Pharaoh’s taskmasters had set over them, were beaten, and were asked, “Why haven’t you fulfilled your quota both yesterday and today, in making brick as before?”

    Then the officers of the children of Israel came and cried to Pharaoh, saying, “Why do you deal this way with your servants?

    No straw is given to your servants, and they tell us, ‘Make brick!’ and behold, your servants are beaten; but the fault is in your own people.”

    But Pharaoh said, “You are idle! You are idle! Therefore you say, ‘Let’s go and sacrifice to Yahweh.’

    Go therefore now, and work; for no straw shall be given to you; yet you shall deliver the same number of bricks!”

  • KJV King James Version

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

    Ye shall no more give the people straw to make brick, as heretofore: let them go and gather straw for themselves.

    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.

    Let there more work be laid upon the men, that they may labour therein; and let them not regard vain words.

    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.

    Go ye, get you straw where ye can find it: yet not ought of your work shall be diminished.

    So the people were scattered abroad throughout all the land of Egypt to gather stubble instead of straw.

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

    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?

    Then the officers of the children of Israel came and cried unto Pharaoh, saying, Wherefore dealest thou thus with thy servants?

    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.

    But he said, Ye are idle, ye are idle: therefore ye say, Let us go and do sacrifice to the LORD.

    Go therefore now, and work; for there shall no straw be given you, yet shall ye deliver the tale of bricks.

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  • JPS JPS Tanakh (1917)

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

    'Ye shall no more give the people straw to make brick, as heretofore. Let them go and gather straw for themselves.

    And the tale of the bricks, which they did make heretofore, ye shall lay upon them; ye shall not diminish aught thereof; for they are idle; therefore they cry, saying: Let us go and sacrifice to our God.

    Let heavier work be laid upon the men, that they may labour therein; and let them not regard lying words.'

    And the taskmasters of the people went out, and their officers, and they spoke to the people, saying: 'Thus saith Pharaoh: I will not give you straw.

    Go yourselves, get you straw where ye can find it; for nought of your work shall be diminished.'

    So the people were scattered abroad throughout all the land of Egypt to gather stubble for straw.

    And the taskmasters were urgent, saying: 'Fulfil your work, your daily task, as when there was straw.'

    And the officers of the children of Israel, whom Pharaoh's taskmasters had set over them, were beaten, saying: 'Wherefore have ye not fulfilled your appointed task in making brick both yesterday and today as heretofore?'

    Then the officers of the children of Israel came and cried unto Pharaoh, saying: 'Wherefore dealest thou thus with thy servants?

    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.'

    But he said: 'Ye are idle, ye are idle; therefore ye say: Let us go and sacrifice to the LORD.

    Go therefore now, and work; for there shall no straw be given you, yet shall ye deliver the tale of bricks.'

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Cross-references (40)

  • Exodus 1:11 (vv6, 10) Therefore they set taskmasters over them to afflict them with their burdens. They built storage cities for Pharaoh: Pithom and Raamses.
  • Exodus 5:10 (v6) The taskmasters of the people went out, and their officers, and they spoke to the people, saying, “This is what Pharaoh says: ‘I will not…
  • Exodus 5:19 (v6) The officers of the children of Israel saw that they were in trouble when it was said, “You shall not diminish anything from your daily…
  • Exodus 3:7 (vv6, 10) Yahweh said, “I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt, and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters, for I…
  • Genesis 24:25 (v7) She said moreover to him, “We have both straw and feed enough, and room to lodge in.”
Show all 38 cross-references
  • Exodus 5:8 (v17) You shall require from them the number of the bricks which they made before. You shall not diminish anything of it, for they are idle.…
  • Exodus 5:13-14 (v11) The taskmasters were urgent saying, “Fulfill your work quota daily, as when there was straw!” The officers of the children of Israel, whom…
  • Exodus 5:13-15 (v6) The taskmasters were urgent saying, “Fulfill your work quota daily, as when there was straw!” The officers of the children of Israel, whom…
  • Exodus 15:7 (v12) In the greatness of your excellency, you overthrow those who rise up against you. You send out your wrath. It consumes them as stubble.
  • Numbers 11:16 (v6) Yahweh said to Moses, “Gather to me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom you know to be the elders of the people and officers over…
  • Deuteronomy 1:15 (v6) So I took the heads of your tribes, wise and respected men, and made them heads over you, captains of thousands, captains of hundreds,…
  • Deuteronomy 16:18 (v6) You shall make judges and officers in all your gates, which Yahweh your God gives you, according to your tribes; and they shall judge the…
  • Joshua 8:33 (v6) All Israel, with their elders, officers, and judges, stood on both sides of the ark before the Levitical priests, who carried the ark of…
  • Joshua 24:4 (v6) I gave to Isaac Jacob and Esau: and I gave to Esau Mount Seir, to possess it. Jacob and his children went down into Egypt.
  • Judges 19:19 (v7) Yet there is both straw and feed for our donkeys; and there is bread and wine also for me, and for your servant, and for the young man who…
  • 2 Kings 18:20 (v9) You say (but they are but vain words), ‘There is counsel and strength for war.’ Now on whom do you trust, that you have rebelled against me?
  • 2 Chronicles 26:11 (v6) Moreover Uzziah had an army of fighting men, who went out to war by bands, according to the number of their reckoning made by Jeiel the…
  • Job 16:3 (v9) Shall vain words have an end? Or what provokes you that you answer?
  • Psalms 106:41 (v8) He gave them into the hand of the nations. Those who hated them ruled over them.
  • Proverbs 29:12 (v10) If a ruler listens to lies, all of his officials are wicked.
  • Isaiah 5:24 (v12) Therefore as the tongue of fire devours the stubble, and as the dry grass sinks down in the flame, so their root shall be as rottenness,…
  • Isaiah 10:24 (v14) Therefore the Lord, Yahweh of Armies, says “My people who dwell in Zion, don’t be afraid of the Assyrian, though he strike you with the…
  • Isaiah 47:14 (v12) Behold, they are like stubble. The fire will burn them. They won’t deliver themselves from the power of the flame. It won’t be a coal to…
  • Jeremiah 43:2 (v9) then Azariah the son of Hoshaiah, Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the proud men spoke, saying to Jeremiah, “You speak falsely. Yahweh…
  • Ezekiel 18:18 (v18) As for his father, because he cruelly oppressed, robbed his brother, and did that which is not good among his people, behold, he will die…
  • Daniel 2:9-13 (v18) But if you don’t make known to me the dream, there is but one law for you; for you have prepared lying and corrupt words to speak before…
  • Joel 2:5 (v12) Like the noise of chariots on the tops of the mountains, they leap, like the noise of a flame of fire that devours the stubble, like a…
  • Obadiah 1:18 (v12) The house of Jacob will be a fire, the house of Joseph a flame, and the house of Esau for stubble. They will burn among them, and devour…
  • Nahum 1:10 (v12) For entangled like thorns, and drunken as with their drink, they are consumed utterly like dry stubble.
  • Zechariah 1:6 (v9) But my words and my decrees, which I commanded my servants the prophets, didn’t they overtake your fathers? “Then they repented and said,…
  • Malachi 3:14 (v9) You have said, ‘It is vain to serve God;’ and ‘What profit is it that we have followed his instructions, and that we have walked mournfully…
  • Matthew 26:8 (v17) But when his disciples saw this, they were indignant, saying, “Why this waste?
  • John 6:27 (v17) Don’t work for the food which perishes, but for the food which remains to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For God the…
  • 1 Corinthians 3:12 (v12) But if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay, or stubble,
  • Ephesians 5:6 (v9) Let no one deceive you with empty words. For because of these things, the wrath of God comes on the children of disobedience.
  • 2 Thessalonians 3:10-11 (v17) For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: “If anyone is not willing to work, don’t let him eat.” For we hear of some who walk…
  • Joshua 24:1 (v6) Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel to Shechem, and called for the elders of Israel, for their heads, for their judges, and for their…
  • Proverbs 12:10 (v6) A righteous man respects the life of his animal, but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.

38 distinct cross-references across this passage (40 total citations).

Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)

Explain this passage (20 sources)

Historical commentary, presented as a primary source — not an endorsement.

Geneva Bible translators 1599 · Public Domain On vv6, 7, 9, 13, 16, 17 Which were of the Israelites, and had charge to…

Which were of the Israelites, and had charge to see them do their work.

Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain.

John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain On vv6–18 Exo 5:6 And Pharaoh commanded the same day the…
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain On vv6, 7, 9, 12, 16 task-masters were Egyptians, and the
Matthew Henry 1710 · Public Domain On vv10, 15 Pharaoh's orders are here put in execution; straw is…
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain On vv6–18 And Pharaoh commanded the same day the taskmasters of…
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain On vv6, 7, 8, 9, 14 The task-masters, were Egyptians, the officers were Israelites employed…
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain On vv6, 7, 8, 14, 16, 17 Verse 6. The task-masters of the people and their…
Joseph Benson 1811 · Public Domain On vv7, 8, 9, 16 Exo 5:7. Straw — To mix with the clay.…
Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain On vv6, 7, 12, 17 Their officers - Or scribes. Hebrews able to keep…
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary 1859 · Public Domain On vv6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 14, 16 Overseers, natives of Egypt, who had under them some…
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown 1871 · Public Domain On vv6, 7, 8, 12, 13 Pharaoh commanded--It was a natural consequence of the high…
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain On vv6, 11, 12, 15 6-9. Increase of the oppression is the fierce and…
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain On vv6, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 6. the taskmasters] i.e. as in Exo_3:7, the Egyptian…
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain On vv6, 7, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 (6) Taskmasters . . . officers.—Three grades of officials…
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain On vv6–18 Vers. 6-9. Rulers are not always content simply to…
The Biblical Illustrator 1887 · Public Domain On vv7, 15 Ye shall no more give the people straw.
The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary 1892 · Public Domain On vv10, 15 MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.—Exo_5:10-14
Paul E. Kretzmann 1924 · Public Domain On v10 The People Complain to Pharaoh
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv6, 10, 12, 15 Egyptians whose job was to force the Israelites to…
Tyndale Open Study Notes 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv6–7 5:6-14 Pharaoh made the work harder in retaliation for…
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