And Pharaoh commanded the same day the taskmasters of the people ,.... Who were Egyptians, and whom Pharaoh sent for the same day, to give them orders to oppress them yet more and more, so far was he from complying with their request: and their officers ; who were Israelites, and were under the taskmasters, and accountable to them for each man's work that they had the inspection and care of: saying , as follows. read more
Ye shall no more give the people straw to make brick ,.... Whether this was given and used to mix with the clay, as is done in some places F8 Vide Vitruvium de Architectura, l. 2. c. 3. p. 46. & Philander in ib. , that the bricks made thereof might be firmer and stronger, or to burn them with in the furnaces, or to cover them from the heat of the sun, that they might not dry too soon and crack, is not easy to determine; though it is said that the unburnt bricks of Egypt formerly... read more
And the tale of the bricks, which they did make heretofore, you shall lay upon them ,.... Oblige them to make and bring in the same number of bricks they used to do, when straw was brought to them and given them; by which it appears, that their daily task was such a number of bricks: you shall not diminish ought thereof ; not make any abatement of the number of bricks, in consideration of their loss of time and their labour in going to fetch straw from other places: for they be idle ... read more
Let there more work be laid upon the men ,.... Instead of lessening it, let it be increased, or "be heavy" F11 תכבד "aggravetur", Pagninus, Montanus, &c.; upon them, that it may oppress and afflict them and keep them down, and weaken their strength and their spirits, and diminish them: that they may labour therein ; and have no leisure time to spend in idleness and sloth: and let them not regard vain words ; or "words of falsehood" F12 בדברי "in verbis mendacii",... read more
The task-masters of the people and their officers - The task-masters were Egyptians, (see Clarke on Exodus 1:11 ; (note)), the officers were Hebrews; see Clarke below Exodus 5:14 ; (note). But it is probable that the task-masters Exodus 1:11 , who are called מסים שרי sarey missim , princes of the burdens or taxes, were different from those termed taskmasters here, as the words are different; נגשים nogesim signifies exactors or oppressors - persons who exacted from them an... read more
Straw to make brick - There have been many conjectures concerning the use of straw in making bricks. Some suppose it was used merely for burning them, but this is unfounded. The eastern bricks are often made of clay and straw kneaded together, and then not burned, but thoroughly dried in the sun. This is expressly mentioned by Philo in his life of Moses, who says, describing the oppression of the Israelites in Egypt, that some were obliged to work in clay for the formation of bricks, and... read more
And the tale of the bricks - Tale signifies the number, from the Anglo-Saxon to number, to count, etc. For they be idle; therefore they cry - Let us go and sacrifice - Thus their desire to worship the true God in a proper manner was attributed to their unwillingness to work; a reflection which the Egyptians (in principle) of the present day cast on these who, while they are fervent in spirit serving the Lord, are not slothful in business. See Clarke below Exodus 5:17 ; (note). read more
Verse 6 6.And Pharaoh commanded. We shall more clearly perceive, as the narrative proceeds, that these taskmasters and officers were taken from amongst the children of Israel, although we have before read that some were Egyptians. But, as tyrants are ingenious in securing their own interests, Pharaoh in his subtlety wished to provide that none should escape, but that all alike should be brought in turn to the labor. For some, in such a multitude, might have evaded the Egyptians; but, when the... read more
Verse 9 9.Let there more work be laid upon the men. Although Pharaoh knew that he was cruelly entreating the unhappy Israelites, who ought, as strangers, to be hospitably and kindly received, yet he says that they were abusing their idleness, and were revolting because he indulged them too much. Thus, when tyranny has lost all regard for justice, there are no bounds to its harshness; and so far from being moved to pity by complaints, they only aggravate its cruelty. And these are the means by... read more
Get Bible verse every day in your inbox
Read on Mobile
Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Exodus 5:3-9
Finding that Pharaoh had no veneration at all for God, Moses and Aaron next try whether he had any compassion for Israel, and become humble suitors to him for leave to go and sacrifice, but in vain. I. Their request is very humble and modest, Exod. 5:3. They make no complaint of the rigour they were ruled with. They plead that the journey they designed was not a project formed among themselves, but that their God had met with them, and called them to it. They beg with all submission: We pray... read more