LORD . One of the 134 places where Jehovah in the Primitive Text was altered to Adonai. See App-32 . wherefore . . . ? why . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis ( App-6 ). We , like Moses, are full of similar questions, to our sin and sorrow. evil entreated . Hebrew Idiom suffered to be evil en-treated. Hebrew. Ra'a. App-44 . See note on Exodus 4:2 . read more
"And Moses returned unto Jehovah, and said, Lord, wherefore hast thou dealt with this people? why is it that thou hast sent me? For since I came to Pharaoh to speak in thy name, he hath dealt with this people; neither hast thou delivered thy people at all"These are tragic words indeed. Not only were the people discouraged by the disastrous situation in which they found themselves, but Moses also was sorely oppressed by the thoughts which crowded into his mind. In that dark moment, however,... read more
Exodus 5:22. And Moses returned unto the Lord— This either implies, that there was some particular place, where the Lord condescended to meet with, and reveal himself to Moses; or else we must understand the words in the sense which the LXX give them; he turned to the Lord, επεστρεψε προς κυριον ; he addressed himself to God in prayer. Houbigant renders it, then Moses, turning to the Lord, said thus unto him. REFLECTIONS. We have here, 1. The people's displeasure at Moses and Aaron. How unjust... read more
Increase of the Oppression1. Pharaoh] probably P. Merenptah. See on Exodus 1:8. His court may have been at Zoan or Tanis during the events that ensued: cp. Psalms 78:12, Psalms 78:43; The Lord God of Israel] Heb. ’Jehovah the God of Israel’: see on Exodus 3:13, Exodus 3:18. Similarly in the next v. Pharaoh says, ’Who is Jehovah?.. I know not Jehovah.’ Jehovah not being known and worshipped in Egypt, Pharaoh does not acknowledge His right to command him. 3. See on Exodus 3:18. 4. Let the people]... read more
(22) Moses returned unto the Lord.—He could find nothing to say to the officers. The course of events had as much disappointed him as it had them All that he could do was to complain to God, with a freedom which seems to us almost to border on irreverence, but which God excused in him, since it had its root in his tender love for his people. Moses might perhaps have borne with patience a mere negative result—the postponement of any open manifestation of the Divine power—but the thought that he... read more
Exodus 5:1 Compare these sentences from Mrs. H. B. Stowe's appeal to the women of England in 1862: 'The writer of this has been present at a solemn religious festival in the national capital, given at the home of a portion of those fugitive slaves who have fled to our lines for protection who, under the shadow of our flag, find sympathy and succour. The national day of thanksgiving was there kept by over a thousand redeemed slaves, and for whom Christian charity had spread an ample repast. Our... read more
CHAPTER V.PHARAOH REFUSES.Exodus 5:1-23.After forty years of obscurity and silence, Moses re-enters the magnificent halls where he had formerly turned his back upon so great a place. The rod of a shepherd is in his hand, and a lowly Hebrew by his side. Men who recognise him shake their heads, and pity or despise the fanatic who had thrown away the most dazzling prospects for a dream. But he has long since made his choice, and whatever misgivings now beset him have regard to his success with... read more
3. Moses and Aaron in Egypt CHAPTERS 4:29-5:23 Before the Elders and Before Pharaoh 1. Before the elders of Israel (Exodus 4:29-31 ) 2. Before Pharaoh, and his answer (Exodus 5:1-4 ) 3. The increased oppression (Exodus 5:5-19 ) 4. Israel ‘s complaint and Moses’ prayer (Exodus 5:20-23 ) The people were willing and believed. Notice they believed after the signs were done. Faith was followed by worship. It is almost a constitutional thing with the Jew to see first and then believe.... read more
THE FIRST APPEAL TO PHARAOH AND THE RESULTS (vs.1-23) Moses and Aaron then gain an audience with Pharaoh, and simply tell him the message that the Lord God of Israel has for him, "Let My people go, that they may hold a feast to Me in the wilderness." But Pharaoh's response was both contemptuous and defiant: "Who is the Lord that I should obey His voice to let Israel go? I do not know the Lord, nor will I let Israel go." In spite of this decisive refusal, Moses and Aaron plead with Pharaoh,... read more
Get Bible verse every day in your inbox
Read on Mobile
Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Exodus 5:1-23
5:1-15:21 DELIVERANCE FROM EGYPTMoses’ first meeting with Pharaoh (5:1-6:27)In the eyes of the Israelites, Moses’ first meeting with Pharaoh was a disaster. Pharaoh had no fear of Yahweh and no concern for Yahweh’s people. In fact, when Moses asked to take his people into the wilderness to offer sacrifices to Yahweh, Pharaoh responded by accusing the Israelites of laziness and making their work harder (5:1-14). This not only increased the suffering of the Israelites but also caused them to turn... read more