Exodus 5:6-9 · Bible study
Exodus 5:6-9 Commentary: Pharaoh's Hardened Response
Hebrew · 11 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Exodus 5:6-9 study: Pharaoh reacts to Moses' request by increasing labor and removing straw.
Research Summary
- Meaning: After Moses and Aaron ask to worship, Pharaoh intensifies oppression by removing straw but keeping brick quotas, silencing hope.
- Key words: taskmasters (nagash H5065), officers (shoter H7860), straw (teven H8401), bricks (levenah H3843), idle (raphah H7503), lying words (davar sheker H1697 & H8267).
- Main debate: Whether Pharaoh genuinely believed the people were idle or used the charge as a pretext, most commentators see it as a calculated accusation.
- Theological theme: Righteous acts of obedience often provoke immediate worldly opposition, setting the stage for God’s greater deliverance.
- Best use: Preaching on perseverance under unjust authority or the cost of following God’s call.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
6That same day Pharaoh commanded the taskmasters of the people and their foremen:
7“You shall no longer supply the people with straw for making bricks. They must go and gather their own straw.
8But require of them the same quota of bricks as before; do not reduce it. For they are lazy; that is why they are crying out, ‘Let us go and sacrifice to our God.’
9Make the work harder on the men so they will be occupied and pay no attention to these lies.”
WEB World English Bible 2000
6The same day Pharaoh commanded the taskmasters of the people and their officers, saying,
7“You shall no longer give the people straw to make brick, as before. Let them go and gather straw for themselves.
8You shall require from them the number of the bricks which they made before. You shall not diminish anything of it, for they are idle. Therefore they cry, saying, ‘Let’s go and sacrifice to our God.’
9Let heavier work be laid on the men, that they may labor in it. Don’t let them pay any attention to lying words.”
KJV King James Version 1769
6And Pharaoh commanded the same day the taskmasters of the people, and their officers, saying,
7Ye shall no more give the people straw to make brick, as heretofore: let them go and gather straw for themselves.
8And the tale of the bricks, which they did make heretofore, ye shall lay upon them; ye shall not diminish ought thereof: for they be idle; therefore they cry, saying, Let us go and sacrifice to our God.
9Let there more work be laid upon the men, that they may labour therein; and let them not regard vain words.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
6And the same day Pharaoh commanded the taskmasters of the people, and their officers, saying,
7Ye shall no more give the people straw to make brick, as heretofore: let them go and gather straw for themselves.
8And the number of the bricks, which they did make heretofore, ye shall lay upon them; ye shall not diminish aught thereof: for they are idle; therefore they cry, saying, Let us go and sacrifice to our God.
9Let heavier work be laid upon the men, that they may labor therein; and let them not regard lying words.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
6And Pharaoh commandeth, on that day, the exactors among the people and its authorities, saying,
7`Ye do not add to give straw to the people for the making of the bricks, as heretofore--they go and have gathered straw for themselves;
8and the proper quantity of the bricks which they are making heretofore ye do put on them, ye do not diminish from it, for they are remiss, therefore they are crying, saying, Let us go, let us sacrifice to our God;
9let the service be heavy on the men, and let them work at it, and not be dazzled by lying words.'
Darby Darby Bible 1890
6And Pharaoh commanded the same day the taskmasters of the people, and their officers, saying,
7Ye shall no more give the people straw to make brick, as heretofore: let them go and gather straw for themselves.
8And the number of the bricks they have made heretofore shall ye lay upon them: ye shall not diminish any of it, for they are idle; therefore they cry, saying, Let us go [and] sacrifice to our God.
9Let them put heavier labour on the men, that they may be taken up with it, and not regard vain words.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
6Therefore he commanded the same day the overseers of the works, and the task-masters of the people, saying:
7You shall give straw no more to the people to make brick, as before; but let them go and gather straw.
8And you shall lay upon them the task of bricks, which they did before; neither shall you diminish any thing thereof, for they are idle, and therefore they cry. saying: Let us go and sacrifice to our God.
9Let them be oppressed with works, and let them fulfil them; that they may not regard lying words.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Biblical Hebrew)
Old Testament · Biblical Hebrew · Exodus 5:6
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators agree that Pharaoh's command to deny straw and maintain brick quotas was a direct, harsh response to Moses and Aaron's request for a three-day journey. The taskmasters (nogesim) were Egyptian overseers (Clarke, Gill), while the officers (shoterim) were Israelites answerable to them (Calvin, Cambridge Bible). The purpose was to crush any hope of freedom. Keil & Delitzsch note that Pharaoh suspected the request to sacrifice was 'an excuse invented by idlers.' Matthew Henry says Pharaoh basely misrepresented the people. Clarke observes that straw was mixed with clay to bind sun-dried bricks, making removal of straw a severe blow. The demand to produce the same number of bricks without straw effectively doubled the work, as Barnes and Ellicott confirm. Pharaoh labels Moses' promises as 'lying words,' dismissing divine intervention as false.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Low
What is clear: Pharaoh increased the Israelites' labor immediately after Moses and Aaron requested permission to worship, revealing his determined opposition to the God of Israel.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Role of the officers (shoterim) | They were Israelites placed under Egyptian taskmasters to oversee the labor gangs. | Barnes and the Cambridge Bible view them as scribes who kept written accounts; others (Clarke, Calvin) see them as general overseers responsible for the work quota. |
| Motivation for the increased burden | Pharaoh was reacting to the request to worship Yahweh. He intended to crush any movement toward freedom. | Some (Calvin, Matthew Henry) argue Pharaoh deliberately misrepresented the people to justify cruelty; Keil & Delitzsch hold that he genuinely suspected idleness and saw the worship request as a pretext for rebellion. |
| Meaning of 'lying words' | The phrase refers to the words of Moses and Aaron promising deliverance. | Ellicott and Gill take it as Pharaoh dismissing the promise as lies; others note that Pharaoh did not believe in Yahweh (Exodus 5:2), so he saw the entire message as false. |
| Function of straw in bricks | Straw was mixed with clay to bind the bricks and prevent cracking during sun-drying. | A few earlier interpreters (noted by Clarke) speculated it was used for burning bricks, but the dominant historical and archaeological evidence supports the binding function. |
Historical & Cultural Context
Brick‑making in ancient Egypt used Nile mud mixed with chopped straw or reed to prevent cracking during sun‑drying. Philo of Alexandria and later travelers confirm that straw acted as a binder, and bricks were typically 15 by 7 by 4½ inches (Cambridge Bible, Clarke). The social structure placed Egyptian taskmasters over labor gangs, with Israelite officials (shoterim) keeping work tallies and reporting shortages. These officers were beaten when quotas were unmet, as seen in Exodus 5:14. The timing, “the same day”, shows Pharaoh acted swiftly and deliberately after the interview (Exodus 5:1, 5).
Pharaoh’s accusation that the people were “idle” fits a common tyrant’s logic: any request for rest or worship was a cover for rebellion (Keil & Delitzsch). The phrase “lying words” (Hebrew divrei sheker) refers to the deliverance promises Moses and Aaron had brought (Gill, Ellicott). Removing straw while maintaining the brick quota was not impossible, the people could gather stubble from fields after harvest (Barnes, see Exodus 5:12), but it multiplied their labor, scattering them across Egypt, breaking community and hope. This cultural context shows that Pharaoh’s policy aimed not just at production but at crushing the spirit of a people who had begun to believe in a God who sees them (Exodus 3:7).
Textual Notes
The supplied sources note no significant textual variants for Exodus 5:6-9. The main translation variations concern the rendering of words like “tale” (KJV) for “number” or “quota,” and the consistent translation of nogesim as “taskmasters” and shoterim as “officers.” The Hebrew text shows no manuscript difficulties.
Reception History
Throughout church history, this passage has been read as a vivid example of how worldly powers respond when God’s people begin to move in obedience. The early church fathers saw it as a type of the persecution that follows conversion, the old master tightening his grip. The Reformers, especially Calvin, used it to teach the “theology of the cross”: God sometimes permits suffering to increase before deliverance, humbling his people and strengthening faith.
In modern times, the text has been central to liberation theology, which highlights its critique of oppressive systems that deny rest, worship, and human dignity. It has also sustained Christians facing state persecution, reminding them that increased hardship does not mean God has abandoned them. The irony is rich: Pharaoh’s cruelty only sets the stage for the plagues and the exodus, demonstrating that no tyrant can ultimately silence God’s words.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- Pharaoh's False Diagnosis. He calls the people idle. In reality, they are responding to a call from God. Their cry to worship is not laziness but longing. Pharaoh misreads spiritual hunger as a work stoppage.
- The Logic of Oppression. Increased work is meant to drown out the voice of God. When Moses speaks of deliverance, Pharaoh answers with heavier burdens. Oppressive systems always try to silence the promises of freedom.
- The Waiting Period. God had already promised deliverance (Exodus 3:7, 9). Now the situation gets worse before it gets better. This tests faith. The same God who sees the affliction is working through the delay.
Five-point outline
- Same‑day decision: Pharaoh acts immediately, showing his resolve and hostility.
- Removal of straw: A basic provision is withdrawn, making the work nearly impossible.
- Maintenance of quota: The demand stays the same despite reduced resources, an archetype of unjust expectation.
- Accusation of idleness: The victim is blamed. Pharaoh reframes worship as a productivity problem.
- Goal: silence God’s word: “Lying words” is Pharaoh’s label for the divine promise. He wants to stop the people from listening.
Illustration hooks
- A manager who, when an employee asks for time off for a religious holiday, doubles their workload and cuts support.
- A student who finally speaks up about a problem at school and is accused of being lazy, then given extra assignments.
- A step of faith, like starting a new ministry or committing to prayer, that is met with unexpected financial strain or opposition.
Questions your congregation is asking
- “Why does following God sometimes make my life harder instead of easier?”
- “Is it wrong to feel disappointed when our prayers for relief seem to make things worse?”
- “How can I tell if my suffering is from Pharaoh (human oppression) or from God’s discipline?”
Leading a Discussion
This passage shows the cost of stepping out in faith. Moses and Aaron obeyed God, and the result was heavier oppression. The story invites us to face the question: what do we do when God’s promises seem to backfire?
Discussion questions
- What do you learn about Pharaoh’s character from this command? What does he fear most?
- The Israelite officers were caught between Egyptian taskmasters and their own people. Have you ever felt stuck in a similar middle? How did you respond?
- Why do you think Pharaoh labels the people as idle? Is it a sincere belief or a convenient excuse? What clues in the text help you decide?
- Have you ever experienced a situation where doing the right thing was followed by more difficulty? How did you process that?
- What does the phrase “lying words” tell us about how Pharaoh viewed Moses’ message and God’s power?
- God had already said He heard the cry of Israel (Exodus 3:7). How does that earlier promise change how you read this scene?
- If you were an Israelite hearing Pharaoh’s command, how would you feel toward Moses and Aaron? Toward God? Where would you look for hope?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Exodus 1:11 | Therefore they set taskmasters over them to afflict them with their burdens. They built storage cities for Pharaoh: Pithom and Raamses. |
| Exodus 3:7 | Yahweh said, “I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt, and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters, for I know their sorrows. |
| Exodus 5:10 | The taskmasters of the people went out with their officers, and they spoke to the people, saying, “This is what Pharaoh says: ‘I will not give you straw. |
| Exodus 5:13 | The taskmasters were urgent saying, “Fulfill your work quota daily, as when there was straw!” |
| Exodus 5:15 | Then the officers of the children of Israel came and cried to Pharaoh, saying, “Why do you deal this way with your servants? |
| Exodus 5:19 | The officers of the children of Israel saw that they were in trouble when it was said, “You shall not diminish anything from your daily quota of bricks!” |
| Numbers 11:16 | Yahweh said to Moses, “Gather to me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom you know to be the elders of the people and officers over them; and bring them to the Tent of Meeting, that they may stand there with you. |
| Deuteronomy 1:15 | So I took the heads of your tribes, wise and respected men, and made them heads over you, captains of thousands, captains of hundreds, captains of fifties, captains of tens, and officers, according to your tribes. |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
10 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Clarke clarifies the distinction between Egyptian taskmasters who exacted unreasonable labor and Hebrew officers who carried out orders. He explains that straw was mixed with clay as a binder for sun-dried bricks, not for burning, a practice confirmed by Philo and modern travelers. Pharaoh dismissed the Israelites' desire to worship as mere idleness, a charge Clarke notes is still leveled against devout workers.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
Barnes explains that the Israelite officers were Hebrew scribes appointed by Egyptian supervisors to keep written accounts of the work. He notes that ancient Egyptian bricks were sun-dried and made from mud mixed with chopped straw, so requiring the Israelites to gather their own straw more than doubled their labor.
Calvin's Commentaries Reformed 1564
Calvin observes that God often allows His people's burdens to increase immediately after promising relief, as happened when Pharaoh doubled the Israelites' work. This tests faith and weans hearts from earthly comfort. He also notes how tyrants justify crushing cruelty by claiming subjects will never be quiet unless utterly broken.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
The Cambridge commentary draws attention to the layered chain of command in Pharaoh's labor system. Egyptian taskmasters gave orders only to Israelite officers, the immediate overseers who also kept work records. This placed the officers between brutal demands from above and the suffering of their own people.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill highlights Pharaoh's brutal logic: he accuses the Israelites of laziness to justify doubling their hardship. By cutting off straw yet demanding the same brick count, Pharaoh aims to crush their spirit and discredit Moses' promises as empty lies.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Protestant 1871
JFB highlights that Pharaoh's demand for bricks without supplied straw was deliberately cruel but not impossible: straw was available from stalks left standing after the Egyptian harvest. The system of Hebrew officers under Egyptian taskmasters, still seen in modern Egypt, made the oppression systematic.
Keil & Delitzsch OT Commentary Protestant 1876
Keil and Delitzsch read Pharaoh's decree as a calculated political move, not mere cruelty. Seeing no religious scruple in the king, they argue he viewed the Israelites' request to worship in the wilderness as a cover for a freedom movement. In response, he withheld straw but kept the daily brick quota, hoping to crush their aspirations through unbearable labor.
Lange's Commentary Reformed 1857
Lange sees hidden layers in Moses and Aaron's request for a three-day feast. Beneath the petition for a furlough lurks a command to set Israel free, and beneath the talk of wilderness worship lies the announcement of the Exodus itself. Pharaoh instinctively sensed this thunder-tone in the modest words.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Henry notes that Moses and Aaron made their request with remarkable humility, offering no complaint about their harsh treatment. They insisted the journey was not their own plan but a command from God who had met with them, showing that even before oppressive rulers God's people may properly use entreaties.
Wesley's Explanatory Notes Methodist/Wesleyan 1754
Wesley points out that Pharaoh's accusation of idleness is a deliberate misrepresentation. The cities the Israelites built stand as clear proof they were not idle. His real motive is to justify heavier burdens, and the "vain words" he mentions refer specifically to Moses and Aaron's promises.