Exodus 5

First Encounter with Pharaoh

¹Afterward Moses and Aaron came, and said to Pharaoh, “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says, ‘Let my people go, that they may hold a feast to me in the wilderness.’”

²Pharaoh said, “Who is the LORD, that I should listen to his voice to let Israel go? I don’t know the LORD, and moreover I will not let Israel go.”

³They said, “The God of the Hebrews has met with us. Please let us go three days’ journey into the wilderness, and sacrifice to the LORD, our God, lest he fall on us with pestilence, or with the sword.”

⁴The king of Egypt said to them, “Why do you, Moses and Aaron, take the people from their work? Get back to your burdens!”

⁵Pharaoh said, “Behold, the people of the land are now many, and you make them rest from their burdens.”

⁶The same day Pharaoh commanded the taskmasters of the people and their officers, saying,

⁷“You shall no longer give the people straw to make brick, as before. Let them go and gather straw for themselves.

⁸You 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.’

⁹Let heavier work be laid on the men, that they may labor in it. Don’t let them pay any attention to lying words.”

¹⁰The taskmasters of the people went out with their officers, and they spoke to the people, saying, “This is what Pharaoh says: ‘I will not give you straw.

¹¹Go yourselves, get straw where you can find it, for nothing of your work shall be diminished.’”

¹²So the people were scattered abroad throughout all the land of Egypt to gather stubble for straw.

¹³The taskmasters were urgent saying, “Fulfill your work quota daily, as when there was straw!”

¹⁴The 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?”

¹⁵Then the officers of the children of Israel came and cried to Pharaoh, saying, “Why do you deal this way with your servants?

¹⁶No 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.”

¹⁷But Pharaoh said, “You are idle! You are idle! Therefore you say, ‘Let’s go and sacrifice to the LORD.’

¹⁸Go therefore now, and work; for no straw shall be given to you; yet you shall deliver the same number of bricks!”

¹⁹The officers of the children of Israel saw that they were in trouble when it was said, “You shall not diminish anything from your daily quota of bricks!”

²⁰They met Moses and Aaron, who stood along the way, as they came out from Pharaoh.

²¹They said to them, “May the LORD look at you and judge, because you have made us a stench to be abhorred in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of his servants, to put a sword in their hand to kill us!”

Moses' Complaint and God's Promise

²²Moses returned to the LORD, and said, “Lord, why have you brought trouble on this people? Why is it that you have sent me?

²³For since I came to Pharaoh to speak in your name, he has brought trouble on this people. You have not rescued your people at all!”

Previous Exodus 4

Next Exodus 6

Moses and Aaron make their first formal request to Pharaoh to release the Israelites for worship in the wilderness, but Pharaoh defiantly refuses and questions the LORD's authority. In retaliation, Pharaoh increases the Israelites' labor burden by requiring them to gather their own straw while maintaining the same brick production quotas. The intensified oppression leads to complaints from Israelite foremen and causes Moses to question God's plan, as the situation appears to have worsened rather than improved.

Context

This chapter follows Moses' calling and initial signs in chapter 4, marking the beginning of direct confrontation with Pharaoh that will escalate through the plagues in chapters 7-12.

Key Themes

Outline

1-2
Initial Request and Pharaoh's Defiance Moses and Aaron present God's demand to Pharaoh, who refuses and questions the LORD's identity and authority.
3-5
Diplomatic Appeal Rejected The brothers attempt a more diplomatic approach, but Pharaoh dismisses them and accuses them of disrupting the workforce.
6-14
Increased Oppression Imposed Pharaoh orders taskmasters to withhold straw while maintaining brick quotas, resulting in impossible working conditions and beatings.
15-21
Israelite Complaints and Blame Israelite foremen appeal to Pharaoh unsuccessfully, then confront Moses and Aaron, blaming them for worsening their situation.
22-23
Moses Questions God's Plan Moses brings his frustration and confusion to the LORD, questioning why the mission has seemingly backfired.

First Encounter with Pharaoh

5:1–5:21

narrative dialogue defiant

Moses and Aaron's first confrontation with Pharaoh results in rejection and increased oppression of the Israelites, as Pharaoh refuses to acknowledge God's authority and makes their labor more burdensome.

person_contrast

Moses transforms from the obedient lawgiver of later narratives into a bold confronter of earthly power, wielding divine authority that initially brings suffering rather than deliverance.

Moses' Complaint and God's Promise

5:22–6:1

narrative dialogue anguished

Moses complains to God about the worsening situation for the Israelites, and God promises that Pharaoh will be compelled by divine power to release the people.

person_contrast

Moses shifts from his typical role as law-giver to vulnerable complainant, using accusatory language ("why have you brought trouble") that appears nowhere else in his recorded dialogues with God.

Insight Character Study

Moses transforms from the obedient lawgiver of later narratives into a bold confronter of earthly power, wielding divine authority that initially brings suffering rather than deliverance.

Insight Character Study

Moses shifts from his typical role as law-giver to vulnerable complainant, using accusatory language ("why have you brought trouble") that appears nowhere else in his recorded dialogues with God.