Exodus 5
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
And afterward Moses and Aaron went - This chapter is properly a continuation of the preceding, as the succeeding is a continuation of this; and to preserve the connection of the facts they should be read together. How simply, and yet with what authority, does Moses deliver his message to the Egyptian king! Thus saith Jehovah, God of Israel, Let my people go. It is well in this, as in almost every other case where יהוה Jehovah occurs, to preserve the original word: our using the word Lord is not sufficiently expressive, and often leaves the sense indistinct.
Open source ↗FIRST INTERVIEW WITH PHARAOH. (Exo. 5:1-23) Moses and Aaron went in--As representatives of the Hebrews, they were entitled to ask an audience of the king, and their thorough Egyptian training taught them how and when to seek it. and told Pharaoh--When introduced, they delivered a message in the name of the God of Israel. This is the first time He is mentioned by that national appellation in Scripture. It seems to have been used by divine direction (Exo 4:2) and designed to put honor on the Hebrews in their depressed condition (Heb 11:16).
Open source ↗And afterwards Moses and Aaron went in, and told Pharaoh,.... Whose name, some say, was Cenchres, others Amenophis, according to Manetho and Chaeremon (h); See Gill on Exo 3:10 went into Pharaoh's palace, and being introduced by the proper officer at court for that purpose, addressed him in the following manner: thus saith the Lord God of Israel: as ambassadors of him, who is King of kings, and Lord of lords; and so Artapanus (i), the Heathen, says that the Egyptian king, hearing that Moses was come, sent for him to know wherefore he was come, who told him, that the Lord of the world commanded him to let the Jews go, as it follows here: let my people go, that they may hold a feast unto me in the wilderness; in the wilderness of Sinai or Arabia, at Horeb there, where they might keep it more freely and safely, without being disturbed by the Egyptians, and without giving any offence to them; and the demand is just; they were the people of God, and therefore he claims them, and service from them was due to him; and Pharaoh had no right to detain them, and what is required was but their reasonable service they owed to their God. This feast was to be held, not for themselves, but to God, which chiefly consisted in offering sacrifice, as is after explained; the entire dismission of them is not at once demanded, only to go a little while into the wilderness, and keep a feast there to the Lord; though it was not intended they should return, but it was put in this form to try Pharaoh, and that he might be the more inexcusable in refusing to grant what was so reasonable. (h) Apud Joseph. contr. Apion. l. 1. c. 26. 32. (i) Apud Euseb. Praepar. Evangel. l. 9. c. 27. p. 434.
Open source ↗Pharaoh's Answer to the Request of Moses and Aaron. - Exo 5:1-5. When the elders of Israel had listened with gladness and gratitude to the communications of Moses and Aaron respecting the revelation which Moses had received from Jehovah, that He was now about to deliver His people out of their bondage in Egypt; Moses and Aaron proceeded to Pharaoh, and requested in the name of the God of Israel, that he would let the people of Israel go and celebrate a festival in the wilderness in honour of their God. When we consider that every nation presented sacrifices to its deities, and celebrated festivals in their honour, and that they had all their own modes of worship, which were supposed to be appointed by the gods themselves, so that a god could not be worshipped acceptably in every place; the demand presented to Pharaoh on the part of the God of the Israelites, that he would let His people go into the wilderness and sacrifice to Him, appears so natural and reasonable, that Pharaoh could not have refused their request, if there had been a single trace of the fear of God in his heart. But what was his answer? "Who is Jehovah, that I should listen to His voice, to let Israel go? I know not Jehovah." There was a certain truth in these last words. The God of Israel had not yet made Himself known to him. But this was no justification. Although as a heathen he might naturally measure the power of the God by the existing condition of His people, and infer from the impotence of the Israelites that their God must be also weak, he would not have dared to refuse the petition of the Israelites, to be allowed to sacrifice to their God or celebrate a sacrificial festival, if he had had any faith in gods at all.
Open source ↗Moses and Aaron, having delivered their message to the elders of Israel, with whom they found good acceptance, are now to deal with Pharaoh, to whom they come in peril of their lives - Moses particularly, who perhaps was out-lawed for killing the Egyptian forty years before, so that if any of the old courtiers should happen to remember that against him now it might cost him his head. Their message itself was displeasing, and touch Pharaoh both in his honour and in his profit, two tender points; yet these faithful ambassadors boldly deliver it, whether he will hear or whether he will forbear. I. Their demand is piously bold: Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, Let my people go, Exo 5:1. Moses, in treating with the elders of Israel, is directed to call God the God of their fathers; but, in treating with Pharaoh, they call him the God of Israel, and it is the first time we find him called so in scripture: he is called the God of Israel, the person (Gen 33:20); but here it is Israel, the people. They are just beginning to be formed into a people when God is called their God. Moses, it is likely, was directed to call him so, at least it might be inferred from Exo 9:22, Israel is my son. In this great name they deliver their message: Let my people go. 1. They were God's people, and therefore Pharaoh ought not to detain them in bondage. Note, God will own his own people, though ever so poor and despicable, and will find a time to plead their cause. "The Israelites are slaves in Egypt, but they are my people," says God, "and I will not suffer them to be always trampled upon." See Isa 52:4, Isa 52:5. 2. He expected services and sacrifices from them, and therefore they must have leave to go where they could freely exercise their religion, without giving offence to, or receiving of…
Open source ↗5:1-14 Pharaoh not only rejected Moses’ request to release the Hebrew slaves, he also retaliated by making their work harder. The arrival of the rescuer had actually made the situation worse. 5:1 so they may hold a festival: See study note on 3:18.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
אַחַר (ʼachar, H310) — properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various… מֹשֶׁה (Môsheh, H4872) — Mosheh, the Israelite lawgiver אַהֲרוֹן (ʼAhărôwn, H175) — Aharon, the brother of Moses בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) פַּרְעֹה (Parʻôh, H6547) — Paroh, a general title of Egyptian kings יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… שָׁלַח (shâlach, H7971) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications) חָגַג (châgag, H2287) — properly, to move in acircle, i.e. (specifically) to march in asacred procession, to… מִדְבָּר (midbâr, H4057) — a pasture (i.e. open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert; also…
Open source ↗פַּרְעֹה (Parʻôh, H6547) — Paroh, a general title of Egyptian kings אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,… קוֹל (qôwl, H6963) — a voice or sound יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity שָׁלַח (shâlach, H7971) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications) יָדַע (yâdaʻ, H3045) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses,…
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… עִבְרִי (ʻIbrîy, H5680) — an Eberite (i.e. Hebrew) or descendant of Eber קָרָא (qârâʼ, H7122) — to encounter, whether accidentally or in a hostile manner יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) שָׁלוֹשׁ (shâlôwsh, H7969) — three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… דֶּרֶךְ (derek, H1870) — a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb מִדְבָּר (midbâr, H4057) — a pasture (i.e. open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert; also… זָבַח (zâbach, H2076) — to slaughter an animal (usually in sacrifice) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God פָּגַע (pâgaʻ, H6293) — to impinge, by accident or violence, or (figuratively) by importunity דֶּבֶר (deber, H1698) — a pestilence חֶרֶב (chereb, H2719) — drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or…
Open source ↗מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king מִצְרַיִם (Mitsrayim, H4714) — Mitsrajim, i.e. Upper and Lower Egypt אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) מֹשֶׁה (Môsheh, H4872) — Mosheh, the Israelite lawgiver אַהֲרוֹן (ʼAhărôwn, H175) — Aharon, the brother of Moses פָּרַע (pâraʻ, H6544) — to loosen; by implication, to expose, dismiss; figuratively, absolve, begin עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… מַעֲשֶׂה (maʻăseh, H4639) — an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication,… יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) סְבָלָה (çᵉbâlâh, H5450) — porterage
Open source ↗פַּרְעֹה (Parʻôh, H6547) — Paroh, a general title of Egyptian kings אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) רַב (rab, H7227) — abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality) שָׁבַת (shâbath, H7673) — to repose, i.e. desist from exertion; used in many implied relations (causative,… סְבָלָה (çᵉbâlâh, H5450) — porterage
Open source ↗פַּרְעֹה (Parʻôh, H6547) — Paroh, a general title of Egyptian kings צָוָה (tsâvâh, H6680) — (intensively) to constitute, enjoin יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… נָגַשׂ (nâgas, H5065) — to drive (an animal, a workman, a debtor, an army); by implication, to tax, harass,… עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… שֹׁטֵר (shôṭêr, H7860) — properly, a scribe, i.e. (by analogy or implication) an official superintendent or… אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude)
Open source ↗יָסַף (yâçaph, H3254) — to add or augment (often adverbial, to continue to do a thing) נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… תֶּבֶן (teben, H8401) — properly, material, i.e. (specifically) refuse haum or stalks of grain (as chopped in… לָבַן (lâban, H3835) — to be (or become) white; to make bricks לְבֵנָה (lᵉbênâh, H3843) — a brick (from the whiteness of the clay) שִׁלְשׁוֹם (shilshôwm, H8032) — trebly, i.e. (in time) day before yesterday תְּמוֹל (tᵉmôwl, H8543) — properly, ago, i.e. a (short or long) time since; especially yesterday, or day before… יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) קָשַׁשׁ (qâshash, H7197) — to forage for straw, stubble or wood; figuratively, to assemble
Open source ↗מַתְכֹנֶת (mathkôneth, H4971) — proportion (in size, number or ingredients) לְבֵנָה (lᵉbênâh, H3843) — a brick (from the whiteness of the clay) עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application שִׁלְשׁוֹם (shilshôwm, H8032) — trebly, i.e. (in time) day before yesterday תְּמוֹל (tᵉmôwl, H8543) — properly, ago, i.e. a (short or long) time since; especially yesterday, or day before… שׂוּם (sûwm, H7760) — to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and… גָּרַע (gâraʻ, H1639) — to scrape off; by implication, to shave, remove, lessen, withhold רָפָה (râphâh, H7503) — to slacken (in many applications, literal or figurative) צָעַק (tsâʻaq, H6817) — to shriek; (by implication) to proclaim (an assembly) אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) זָבַח (zâbach, H2076) — to slaughter an animal (usually in sacrifice) אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with…
Open source ↗עֲבֹדָה (ʻăbôdâh, H5656) — work of any kind כָּבַד (kâbad, H3513) — to be heavy, i.e. in a bad sense (burdensome, severe, dull) or in a good sense (numerous,… אֱנוֹשׁ (ʼĕnôwsh, H582) — a man in general (singly or collectively) עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application שָׁעָה (shâʻâh, H8159) — to gaze at or about (properly, for help); by implication, to inspect, consider,… שֶׁקֶר (sheqer, H8267) — an untruth; by implication, a sham (often adverbial) דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
Open source ↗נָגַשׂ (nâgas, H5065) — to drive (an animal, a workman, a debtor, an army); by implication, to tax, harass,… עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… יָצָא (yâtsâʼ, H3318) — to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and… שֹׁטֵר (shôṭêr, H7860) — properly, a scribe, i.e. (by analogy or implication) an official superintendent or… אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) פַּרְעֹה (Parʻôh, H6547) — Paroh, a general title of Egyptian kings נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) תֶּבֶן (teben, H8401) — properly, material, i.e. (specifically) refuse haum or stalks of grain (as chopped in…
Open source ↗יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) לָקַח (lâqach, H3947) — to take (in the widest variety of applications) תֶּבֶן (teben, H8401) — properly, material, i.e. (specifically) refuse haum or stalks of grain (as chopped in… אֲשֶׁר (ʼăsher, H834) — who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because,… מָצָא (mâtsâʼ, H4672) — properly, to come forth to, i.e. appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e. find or… כִּי (kîy, H3588) — (by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often… דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause עֲבֹדָה (ʻăbôdâh, H5656) — work of any kind גָּרַע (gâraʻ, H1639) — to scrape off; by implication, to shave, remove, lessen, withhold
Open source ↗עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… פּוּץ (pûwts, H6327) — to dash in pieces, literally or figuratively (especially to disperse) אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) מִצְרַיִם (Mitsrayim, H4714) — Mitsrajim, i.e. Upper and Lower Egypt קָשַׁשׁ (qâshash, H7197) — to forage for straw, stubble or wood; figuratively, to assemble קַשׁ (qash, H7179) — straw (as dry) תֶּבֶן (teben, H8401) — properly, material, i.e. (specifically) refuse haum or stalks of grain (as chopped in…
Open source ↗נָגַשׂ (nâgas, H5065) — to drive (an animal, a workman, a debtor, an army); by implication, to tax, harass,… אוּץ (ʼûwts, H213) — to press; (by implication) to be close, hurry, withdraw אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) כָּלָה (kâlâh, H3615) — to end, whether intransitive (to cease, be finished, perish) or transitived (to complete,… מַעֲשֶׂה (maʻăseh, H4639) — an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication,… יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause הָיָה (hâyâh, H1961) — to exist, i.e. be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or… תֶּבֶן (teben, H8401) — properly, material, i.e. (specifically) refuse haum or stalks of grain (as chopped in…
Open source ↗שֹׁטֵר (shôṭêr, H7860) — properly, a scribe, i.e. (by analogy or implication) an official superintendent or… בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity פַּרְעֹה (Parʻôh, H6547) — Paroh, a general title of Egyptian kings נָגַשׂ (nâgas, H5065) — to drive (an animal, a workman, a debtor, an army); by implication, to tax, harass,… שׂוּם (sûwm, H7760) — to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and… נָכָה (nâkâh, H5221) — to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively) אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) כָּלָה (kâlâh, H3615) — to end, whether intransitive (to cease, be finished, perish) or transitived (to complete,… חֹק (chôq, H2706) — an enactment; hence, an appointment (of time, space, quantity, labor or usage) לָבַן (lâban, H3835) — to be (or become) white; to make bricks תְּמוֹל (tᵉmôwl, H8543) — properly, ago, i.e. a (short or long) time since; especially yesterday, or day before… יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… שִׁלְשׁוֹם (shilshôwm, H8032) — trebly, i.e. (in time) day before yesterday
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
“We will go with our young and old,” Moses replied. “We will go with our sons and daughters, and with our flocks and herds, for we must hold a feast to the LORD.”
And now, Lord, consider their threats, and enable Your servants to speak Your word with complete boldness,
When Elijah arrived, Ahab said to him, “So you have found me out, my enemy.” He replied, “I have found you out because you have sold yourself to do evil in the sight of the LORD.
Therefore let us keep the feast, not with the old bread, leavened with malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and of truth.
But you, son of man, do not be afraid of them or their words. Do not be afraid, though briers and thorns surround you, and you dwell among scorpions. Do not be afraid of their words or dismayed by their presence, though they are a rebellious house.
Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Instead, fear the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
I will speak of Your testimonies before kings, and I will not be ashamed.
The elders of Israel will listen to what you say, and you must go with them to the king of Egypt and tell him, ‘The LORD, the God of the Hebrews, has met with us. Now please let us take a three-day journey into the wilderness, so that we may sacrifice to the LORD our God.’
On My account, you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles.
On this mountain the LORD of Hosts will prepare a banquet for all the peoples, a feast of aged wine, of choice meat, of finely aged wine.