Exodus 5:12

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Exodus 5:10-14

Pharaoh's orders are here put in execution; straw is denied, and yet the work not diminished. 1. The Egyptian task-masters were very severe. Pharaoh having decreed unrighteous decrees, the task-masters were ready to write the grievousness that he had prescribed, Isa. 10:1. Cruel princes will never want cruel instruments to be employed under them, who will justify them in that which is most unreasonable. These task-masters insisted upon the daily tasks, as when there was straw, Exod. 5:13. See... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 5:12

So the people were scattered abroad throughout all the land of Egypt ,.... That part of it where they dwelt: to gather stubble instead of straw ; straw not being easy to come at, they were obliged to gather stubble that was left in the fields, after the corn was gathered in. Ben Melech observes, that the word signifies small straw, or small sticks of wood, and Kimchi F13 Sepher Shorash, rad. קשש . , and if so, this must be to burn the bricks with in the furnaces. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 5:12

Verse 12 12.So the people were scattered abroad. This circumstance proves how bitterly they were afflicted, and what labor beyond their strength was imposed upon them. In order to make bricks, at least, they should have remained in a particular spot, but straw is not supplied to them for the purpose; they are obliged, therefore, to disperse here and there, and to gather stubble instead of straw in the distant parts of Egypt. They could not do both; it was then in fact just to procure a false... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 5:1-21

Failure. " I know not Jehovah," etc.: Exodus 5:2 . We now come face to face with the king. As the king here becomes very prominent, we will keep him conspicuous in the outlining of this address. I. AUDIENCE WITH THE KING . This is a convenient moment for introducing Pharaoh as the terrestrial representative of the Sun, as the vicegerent of Deity upon earth. Does it seem wonderful that men should receive a man in this capacity? But millions of professed Christians in this... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 5:1-23

The people of Jehovah detained and oppressed by the representative of the prince of this world; no doubt as to the strength of the latter—is it possible for his spoils to be wrested from him? The strong man armed has thus far kept his palace ( Luke 11:21 ), and his goods (cf. Revelation 18:13 ) have been in peace, so far as outward disturbance is concerned. Now comes one who claims to be the stronger. What may be expected to. happen? I. THE CHALLENGE DELIVERED . 1 . The ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 5:4-18

Pharaoh's first response: his answer in deed. Pharaoh has given a proud verbal refusal to the request of Moses: but he is not contented to stop with words. The first result, discouraging and discrediting of Moses' application, is still further to increase burdens and hardships already scarcely tolerable. I. CONSIDER HOW THIS ADDITIONAL SEVERITY TO ISRAEL ORIGINATED —that is, how it originated as far as Pharaoh's part in it was concerned. It came through his utterly... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 5:6-14

The increase of trouble for God's people no proof of the failure of his purpose. I. THE DEMANDS OF GOD PROVOKE THE WRATH OF THE UNGODLY . The mad persistence of Pharaoh in his injustice is marked— 1 . In his haste: his commands were issued "the same day." 2 . In the severity of the decree: they should find their own straw, and yet deliver the same number of bricks. 3 . In his determination to have his commands obeyed. It is not meant to be an idle threat:... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 5:10-14

The command of Pharaoh gone forth—no straw was to be provided for the Israelites, they were themselves to gather straw. The taskmasters could not soften the edict; they could only promulgate it ( Exodus 5:10 , Exodus 5:11 ). And the Israelites could only choose between rebelling and endeavouring to obey. To rebel seemed hopeless; Moses and Aaron did not advise rebellion, and so the attempt was made to carry out Pharaoh's behest ( Exodus 5:12 ). But experience proved that obedience to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 5:10-14

A blind obedience to the commands of tyrants not laudable. The Egyptian taskmasters seem to have carried out their monarch's orders to the full, if not with inward satisfaction, at any rate without visible repugnance. They published abroad the orders given without in any way softening them ( Exodus 5:10 , Exodus 5:11 ), harassed the Israeli people all day long by "hasting them" ( Exodus 5:13 ), and bastinadoed the Israelite officers at night ( Exodus 5:14 ). How different their... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 5:10-15

Bricks without straw. Tyrants seldom lack subordinates, as cruel as themselves, to execute their hateful mandates. Not only are these subordinates generally ready to curry favour with their lord by executing his orders with punctilious rigour, but, when they get to know that particular persons are in disfavour, they find a positive delight in bullying and insulting the unhappy victims, and in subjecting them to every species of vexatious interference. The callous taskmasters entered... read more

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