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Exodus 5

KJ3 Literal Translation — Chapter 5 of 40

1 And afterward Moses and Aaron came in and said to Pharaoh, So says Jehovah the God of Israel, Send away My people, and they shall hold a feast to Me in the wilderness.

2 And Pharaoh said, Who is Jehovah that I should listen to His voice to send away Israel? I do not know Jehovah, and I also will not send Israel away.

3 And they said, The God of the Hebrews has met with us. Now let us go a journey of three days into the wilderness and sacrifice to Jehovah our God, that He not strike us with plague or with sword.

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Chapter Summary

1 Pharaoh refuses Moses' request to send the Israelites away. 5 He increases the Israelites' task. 20 They cry out against Moses and Aaron. 22 Moses questions God.

Key Hebrew Words

תֶּ֫בֶן straw H8401 · TWOT 2493
לְבֵנָה brick H3843 · TWOT 1074g
נָגַשׂ taskmaster, oppressor H5065 · TWOT 1296
סִבְלָה burden, forced labor H5450 · TWOT 1458c
שֹׁטֵר overseer, foreman H7860 · TWOT 2374a
עֲבֹדָה bondage, service H5656 · TWOT 1553c

People & Context

Pharaoh

King of Egypt who refuses to release Israel and increases their brick-making burden

Moses

Demands Pharaoh release Israel, then questions Jehovah when oppression worsens

Aaron

Stands with Moses before Pharaoh delivering Jehovah's demand

Jehovah

The God of Israel in whose name Moses demands the people be sent to worship

Timeline

First Confrontation with Pharaoh

Moses and Aaron request Pharaoh to let the Israelites go for a three-day journey to sacrifice. Pharaoh refuses, stating he doesn't know Jehovah, and increases their burdens.

Exodus 5:1-14
Israelite Overseers Beaten

The Israelite overseers are beaten for not meeting brick quotas. They cry out to Pharaoh, who dismisses them as lazy. They blame Moses and Aaron.

Exodus 5:15-21

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