Exodus 5:8
“And 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.”
Exodus 5:8 in 7 translations
- KJVKing James Version
- And 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.
- DRADouay–Rheims
- And 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.
- ASVAmerican Standard Version
- And 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.
- DARBYDarby
- And 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.
- WEBThe World English Bible
- The number of the bricks, which they made before, you require from them. You shall not diminish anything of it, for they are idle; therefore they cry, saying, 'Let us go and sacrifice to our God.'
- YLTYoung's Literal Translation
- and 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;
- BPVBiblePics Version
- "But you must still require them to make the same number of bricks as before; do not reduce their quota. They are idle, and that is why they are crying out, 'Let us go and sacrifice to our God.'"
Context: Exodus 5
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.
10And the taskmasters of the people went out, and their officers, and they spake to the people, saying, Thus saith Pharaoh, I will not give you straw.
About Exodus 5: Pharaoh Refuses to Let the Israelites Go
The Pharaoh increases the workload of the Israelites, but Moses and Aaron continue to press him to let them go.
Commentary
Exodus chapter 5 is a pivotal chapter in the book of Exodus, as it marks the beginning of the Israelites’ struggle with Pharaoh. After Moses and Aaron have gone to Pharaoh to demand the release of the Israelites, Pharaoh responds by increasing the workload of the Israelites and denying their request. This is a significant moment in the story, as it sets the stage for the plagues that will follow.