Bible Commentaries
Exodus 5

Verse 1

told Pharaoh . This was in Zoan (compare Psalms 78:12 , Psalms 78:43 ), where Pharaoh had made his palace. It could not have been written in Babylon, for there the kings were not seen, and were hidden behind their ministers. Here, in Egypt, the king was his own minister, and could be easily approached. Compare Exodus 3:10 and App-37 . Note Jehovah's sixfold ( App-10 ) demand and Pharaoh's sixfold objection:

I. " Thus saith Jehovah Elohim " (Exodus 5:1 ).

(1) "Who is Jehovah? "(Exodus 5:2 ). Question occurs only here. II. " Let My People go "(Exodus 5:1 ).

(2) "Go. Sacrifice in the Land" (Exodus 8:25 ). III. " We will go three days' journey into the wilderness " (Exodus 8:27 ).

(3) "Go", only "not very far away" (Exodus 8:28 ). IV. " Let My People go " (Exodus 10:3 ).

(4) "Who are they that shall go? "(Exodus 10:8 ). V. All must go (Exodus 10:9 ).

(5) Not so. Men, but not children or flocks (Exodus 10:11 ).

(6) Go. Children, but not flocks (Exodus 10:24 ). VI. Flocks too: for "we know not. till" , &c. (Exodus 10:25 , Exodus 10:26 ).

Verse 2

Who is the LORD? Figure of speech Erotesis ( App-6 ). Note the repetition of Pharaoh's "I", answered by Jehovah's "I "eighteen times in Exodus 6:1-8 .

voice . Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause). App-6 . Voice put for commands uttered by it.

Israel . Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct). App-6 .

Verse 3

met with us . Compare Exodus 3:2-10 .

sacrifice. Hebrew. zabach. See App-43 .

sword. Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause). App-6 .

Verse 4

the king of Egypt . See on Exodus 5:1 , and App-37 . Wherefore. Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6 .

let. A. S. to hinder.

Verse 6

taskmasters . Compare Exodus 1:11 , Egyptian.

officers : an Egyptian title, scribes, who kept account of work done.

Verse 7

straw . Tebn , an Egyptian word for chaff, or chopped straw; not our Eng. stubble.

Verse 8

tale. A. S. talu, a number.

thereof . The suffix is Masculine and refers to the people, "diminish [your exactions] from them. "

and . Some codices, with one early printed edition, Targum of Onkelos, and Septuagint, read "that we may".

Verse 9

vain words . Man's estimate of Divine revelation.

Verse 10

officers . See on Exodus 5:6 , Hebrews.

Verse 12

stubble . Hebrew. gash = reeds. Shown in Egyptian pictures on the monuments.

Verse 14

children = sons.

Verse 17

Ye are idle . Figure of speech Epizeuxis ( App-6 ) for emphasis.

Verse 21

abhorred , &c. Hebrew "stink in the eyes". Figure of speech Catachresis ( App-6 ) for emphasis.

Verse 22

LORD . One of the 134 places where Jehovah in the Primitive Text was altered to Adonai. See App-32 .

wherefore . . . ? why . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis ( App-6 ).

We , like Moses, are full of similar questions, to our sin and sorrow.

evil entreated . Hebrew Idiom suffered to be evil en-treated. Hebrew. Ra'a. App-44 . See note on Exodus 4:2 .

Verse 23

delivered Thy People at all . Figure of speech Polyptoton ( App-6 ). Hebrew "delivering Thou hast not delivered Thy People". Figure of speech used for great emphasis. See Genesis 26:28 .