Exodus 5:17 NLT

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Exodus 5:15-23

It was a great strait that the head-workmen were in, when they must either abuse those that were under them or be abused by those that were over them; yet, it should seem, rather than they would tyrannize, they would be tyrannized over; and they were so. In this evil case (Exod. 5:19), observe, I. How justly they complained to Pharaoh: They came and cried unto Pharaoh, Exod. 5:15. Whither should they go with a remonstrance of their grievances but to the supreme power, which is ordained for the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 5:17

But he said, ye are idle, ye are idle ,.... Instead of expressing indignation at the taskmasters, and relieving the officers and the people, he insults them in a flouting sarcastic way, charging them with sloth and idleness; and which, for the certainty of it, or, however, to show how strongly persuaded and fully assured he was of the truth of it, repeats it, and gives the following as a proof of it: therefore ye say, let us go and do sacrifice to the Lord ; suggesting that it was not so... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 5:17

Ye are idle - therefore ye say, Let us go and do sacrifice - It is common for those who feel unconcerned about their own souls to attribute the religious earnestness of others, who feel the importance of eternal things, to idleness or a disregard of their secular concerns. Strange that they cannot see there is a medium! He who has commanded them to be diligent in business, has also commanded them to be fervent in spirit, serving the Lord. He whose diligence in business is not connected with... 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 5:15-18

A wicked man's persistence in wrong-doing. Pharaoh when he first gave the order to withhold straw ( Exodus 5:7 ), may not have known the amount of misery he was causing. He may have meant no more than to give the people full occupation, and so prevent such gatherings as that from which Moses and Aaron had come ( Exodus 4:29-31 ), when they appeared before him with their demands. He may not have realised to himself the idea that he was setting his bondsmen an impossible task. But now... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 5:15-19

Smarting under the sense of injustice, the Israelite officers "came and cried to Pharaoh" ( Exodus 5:15 ), supposing that he could not have intended such manifest unfairness and cruelty. They were conscious to themselves of having done their utmost, and of having failed simply because the thing required was impossible. Surely the king would understand this, if they pointed it out, and would either allow straw as before, or diminish the number of the bricks. But the king had no desire for... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 5:15-20

Unheeded expostulation. Pharaoh's treatment of the officers of the children of Israel, when they appeared before him to expostulate with him on his cruelty, betrays his consciousness of the injustice of his cause. I. AN UNJUST CAUSE BETRAYS ITSELF .— 1 . By refusal to listen to reason. The Hebrews had reason on their side, and Pharaoh had not. And because he had not, and knew it, he would not hear them, would not enter into any argument with them. This is the sure... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 5:17

Ye are idle , etc. Compare Exodus 5:8 . Pharaoh is evidently pleased with his "happy thought." It seems to him clever, witty, humorous, to tax overworked people with idleness; and equally clever to say to religious people—"Your religion is a mere pretence. You do not want to worship. You want a holiday." We may remark further that idleness and hypocrisy were two sins of the deepest dye, according to Egyptian notions. read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Exodus 5:15-23

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 5:17

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 5:17

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 5:1-21

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 5:1-23

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 5:4-18

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 5:15-18

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 5:15-19

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 5:15-20

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 5:17

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