Exodus 5:11
Exodus 5:11 in Multiple Translations
Go and get your own straw wherever you can find it; but your workload will in no way be reduced.’”
Go ye, get you straw where ye can find it: yet not ought of your work shall be diminished.
Go yourselves, get you straw where ye can find it: for nought of your work shall be diminished.
Go yourselves and get dry stems wherever you are able; for your work is not to be any less.
Go and get straw for yourselves wherever you can find it, because your work quota won't be reduced.’”
Goe your selues, get you strawe where yee can finde it, yet shall nothing of your labour bee diminished.
ye — go ye, take for yourselves straw where ye find [it], for there is nothing of your service diminished.'
Go yourselves, get straw where you can find it, for nothing of your work shall be diminished.’”
Go ye, get you straw where ye can find it: yet not aught of your work shall be diminished.
Go, and gather it where you can find it: neither shall any thing of your work be diminished.
So you yourselves must go and get straw wherever you can find it. But you must still keep working to make the same number of bricks as before.” [LIT]
Berean Amplified Bible — Exodus 5:11
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Exodus 5:11 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
אַתֶּ֗ם
לְכ֨וּ
קְח֤וּ
לָ/כֶם֙
תֶּ֔בֶן
מֵ/אֲשֶׁ֖ר
תִּמְצָ֑אוּ
כִּ֣י
אֵ֥ין
נִגְרָ֛ע
מֵ/עֲבֹדַתְ/כֶ֖ם
דָּבָֽר
אַתֶּ֗ם
ʼattâh
H859
you(m.s.)
Pron
לְכ֨וּ
yâlak
H3212
to walk
V-Qal-Impv-2mp
קְח֤וּ
lâqach
H3947
to take
V-Qal-Impv-2mp
לָ/כֶם֙
Prep | Suff
תֶּ֔בֶן
teben
H8401
straw
N-ms
מֵ/אֲשֶׁ֖ר
ʼăsher
H834
which
Prep | Rel
תִּמְצָ֑אוּ
mâtsâʼ
H4672
to find
V-Qal-Imperf-2mp
כִּ֣י
kîy
H3588
for
Conj
אֵ֥ין
ʼayin
H369
nothing
Part
נִגְרָ֛ע
gâraʻ
H1639
to dimish
V-Niphal
מֵ/עֲבֹדַתְ/כֶ֖ם
ʻăbôdâh
H5656
service
Prep | N-fs | Suff
דָּבָֽר
dâbâr
H1697
Chronicles
N-ms
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Exodus 5:11
אַתֶּ֗ם
ʼattâh
H859
"you(m.s.)"
Pron
You is the translation of a Hebrew word used to address someone directly, like when God says you to someone in the Bible. It can be singular or plural, and is often translated as thee, thou, or ye.
Definition: you (second pers. sing. masc.)
Usage: Occurs in 997 OT verses. KJV: thee, thou, ye, you. See also: Genesis 3:11; Exodus 23:9; Deuteronomy 14:1.
לְכ֨וּ
yâlak
H3212
"to walk"
V-Qal-Impv-2mp
To walk or go, this verb means to move from one place to another, used literally or figuratively, as in to live or die, or to lead someone.
Definition: 1) to go, walk, come 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go, walk, come, depart, proceed, move, go away 1a2) to die, live, manner of life (fig.) 1b) (Hiphil) to lead, bring, lead away, carry, cause to walk
Usage: Occurs in 936 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] again, away, bear, bring, carry (away), come (away), depart, flow, [phrase] follow(-ing), get (away, hence, him), (cause to, made) go (away, -ing, -ne, one's way, out), grow, lead (forth), let down, march, prosper, [phrase] pursue, cause to run, spread, take away (-journey), vanish, (cause to) walk(-ing), wax, [idiom] be weak. See also: Genesis 3:14; Exodus 5:8; Deuteronomy 28:14.
קְח֤וּ
lâqach
H3947
"to take"
V-Qal-Impv-2mp
This Hebrew word means to take or get something, and it is used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to take a wife, to take possession of something, or to receive a gift. For example, in Genesis 2:22, God takes a rib from Adam to create Eve.
Definition: : take 1) to take, get, fetch, lay hold of, seize, receive, acquire, buy, bring, marry, take a wife, snatch, take away 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to take, take in the hand 1a2) to take and carry along 1a3) to take from, take out of, take, carry away, take away 1a4) to take to or for a person, procure, get, take possession of, select, choose, take in marriage, receive, accept 1a5) to take up or upon, put upon 1a6) to fetch 1a7) to take, lead, conduct 1a8) to take, capture, seize 1a9) to take, carry off 1a10) to take (vengeance) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be captured 1b2) to be taken away, be removed 1b3) to be taken, brought unto 1c) (Pual) 1c1) to be taken from or out of 1c2) to be stolen from 1c3) to be taken captive 1c4) to be taken away, be removed 1d) (Hophal) 1d1) to be taken unto, be brought unto 1d2) to be taken out of 1d3) to be taken away 1e) (Hithpael) 1e1) to take hold of oneself 1e2) to flash about (of lightning)
Usage: Occurs in 909 OT verses. KJV: accept, bring, buy, carry away, drawn, fetch, get, infold, [idiom] many, mingle, place, receive(-ing), reserve, seize, send for, take (away, -ing, up), use, win. See also: Genesis 2:15; Genesis 34:17; Exodus 30:23.
לָ/כֶם֙
""
Prep | Suff
תֶּ֔בֶן
teben
H8401
"straw"
N-ms
Teben refers to straw or stubble, often used as fodder for animals or building material. It is mentioned in the Bible as a material for constructing houses.
Definition: 1) straw, stubble 1a) as building material 1b) as fodder for livestock
Usage: Occurs in 16 OT verses. KJV: chaff, straw, stubble. See also: Genesis 24:25; Exodus 5:18; Isaiah 11:7.
מֵ/אֲשֶׁ֖ר
ʼăsher
H834
"which"
Prep | Rel
This Hebrew word is a conjunction that connects ideas and events in the Bible, like in the book of Genesis, where it's used to describe the relationship between God and His creation.
Definition: A: 1) (relative part.) 1a) which, who 1b) that which 2) (conj) 2a) that (in obj clause) 2b) when 2c) since 2d) as 2e) conditional if B: Beth+ 1) in (that) which 2) (adv) 2a) where 3) (conj) 3a) in that, inasmuch as 3b) on account of C: Mem+ 1) from (or than) that which 2) from (the place) where 3) from (the fact) that, since D: Kaph+ 1) (conj.), according as, as, when 1a) according to that which, according as, as 1b) with a causal force: in so far as, since 1c) with a temporal force: when
Usage: Occurs in 4440 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] after, [idiom] alike, as (soon as), because, [idiom] every, for, [phrase] forasmuch, [phrase] from whence, [phrase] how(-soever), [idiom] if, (so) that ((thing) which, wherein), [idiom] though, [phrase] until, [phrase] whatsoever, when, where ([phrase] -as, -in, -of, -on, -soever, -with), which, whilst, [phrase] whither(-soever), who(-m, -soever, -se). As it is indeclinable, it is often accompanied by the personal pronoun expletively, used to show the connection. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 20:9; Genesis 31:16.
תִּמְצָ֑אוּ
mâtsâʼ
H4672
"to find"
V-Qal-Imperf-2mp
Matsa means to find or attain something, whether it is a physical object, a person, or a condition, as seen in various KJV translations.
Definition: 1) to find, attain to 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to find 1a1a) to find, secure, acquire, get (thing sought) 1a1b) to find (what is lost) 1a1c) to meet, encounter 1a1d) to find (a condition) 1a1e) to learn, devise 1a2) to find out 1a2a) to find out 1a2b) to detect 1a2c) to guess 1a3) to come upon, light upon 1a3a) to happen upon, meet, fall in with 1a3b) to hit 1a3c) to befall 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be found 1b1a) to be encountered, be lighted upon, be discovered 1b1b) to appear, be recognised 1b1c) to be discovered, be detected 1b1d) to be gained, be secured 1b2) to be, be found 1b2a) to be found in 1b2b) to be in the possession of 1b2c) to be found in (a place), happen to be 1b2d) to be left (after war) 1b2e) to be present 1b2f) to prove to be 1b2g) to be found sufficient, be enough 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to cause to find, attain 1c2) to cause to light upon, come upon, come 1c3) to cause to encounter 1c4) to present (offering)
Usage: Occurs in 425 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] be able, befall, being, catch, [idiom] certainly, (cause to) come (on, to, to hand), deliver, be enough (cause to) find(-ing, occasion, out), get (hold upon), [idiom] have (here), be here, hit, be left, light (up-) on, meet (with), [idiom] occasion serve, (be) present, ready, speed, suffice, take hold on. See also: Genesis 2:20; Deuteronomy 22:3; 2 Kings 9:35.
כִּ֣י
kîy
H3588
"for"
Conj
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.
אֵ֥ין
ʼayin
H369
"nothing"
Part
This word means nothing or not, often used to indicate the absence of something, as in Genesis 1:2 where the earth was without form. It emphasizes the idea of something lacking or non-existent.
Definition: 1) nothing, not, nought n 1a) nothing, nought neg 1b) not 1c) to have not (of possession) adv 1d) without w/prep 1e) for lack of
Usage: Occurs in 686 OT verses. KJV: else, except, fail, (father-) less, be gone, in(-curable), neither, never, no (where), none, nor, (any, thing), not, nothing, to nought, past, un(-searchable), well-nigh, without. Compare H370 (אַיִן). See also: Genesis 2:5; Deuteronomy 14:27; 1 Kings 15:22.
נִגְרָ֛ע
gâraʻ
H1639
"to dimish"
V-Niphal
To diminish or reduce something means to make it smaller, like in the book of Genesis. This word can also mean to shave, remove, or withhold something. The KJV Bible translates it as diminish or restrain.
Definition: 1) to diminish, restrain, withdraw, abate, keep back, do away, take from, clip 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to diminish 1a2) to restrain 1a3) to withdraw 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be withdrawn 1b2) to be restrained 1c) (Piel) to withdraw, draw up
Usage: Occurs in 21 OT verses. KJV: abate, clip, (di-) minish, do (take) away, keep back, restrain, make small, withdraw. See also: Exodus 5:8; Deuteronomy 13:1; Isaiah 15:2.
מֵ/עֲבֹדַתְ/כֶ֖ם
ʻăbôdâh
H5656
"service"
Prep | N-fs | Suff
This Hebrew word means service or work, including serving God or others. It appears in various forms in the Bible, such as in Exodus and Deuteronomy, to describe labor or ministry.
Definition: : service[as_servant/slave] 1) labour, service 1a) labour, work 1b) labour (of servant or slave) 1c) labour, service (of captives or subjects) 1d) service (of God)
Usage: Occurs in 125 OT verses. KJV: act, bondage, [phrase] bondservant, effect, labour, ministering(-try), office, service(-ile, -itude), tillage, use, work, [idiom] wrought. See also: Genesis 29:27; Numbers 18:6; Psalms 104:14.
דָּבָֽר
dâbâr
H1697
"Chronicles"
N-ms
A word or thing, like a matter or affair, as seen in the book of Chronicles where it refers to the events and words of kings. It can also mean a cause or reason for something.
Definition: This name means word, speaking
Usage: Occurs in 1290 OT verses. KJV: act, advice, affair, answer, [idiom] any such (thing), because of, book, business, care, case, cause, certain rate, [phrase] chronicles, commandment, [idiom] commune(-ication), [phrase] concern(-ing), [phrase] confer, counsel, [phrase] dearth, decree, deed, [idiom] disease, due, duty, effect, [phrase] eloquent, errand, (evil favoured-) ness, [phrase] glory, [phrase] harm, hurt, [phrase] iniquity, [phrase] judgment, language, [phrase] lying, manner, matter, message, (no) thing, oracle, [idiom] ought, [idiom] parts, [phrase] pertaining, [phrase] please, portion, [phrase] power, promise, provision, purpose, question, rate, reason, report, request, [idiom] (as hast) said, sake, saying, sentence, [phrase] sign, [phrase] so, some (uncleanness), somewhat to say, [phrase] song, speech, [idiom] spoken, talk, task, [phrase] that, [idiom] there done, thing (concerning), thought, [phrase] thus, tidings, what(-soever), [phrase] wherewith, which, word, work. See also: Genesis 11:1; Exodus 23:8; Deuteronomy 18:21.
Study Notes — Exodus 5:11
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — Bricks and Straw
9Make the work harder on the men so they will be occupied and pay no attention to these lies.”
10So the taskmasters and foremen of the people went out and said to them, “This is what Pharaoh says: ‘I am no longer giving you straw.
11Go and get your own straw wherever you can find it; but your workload will in no way be reduced.’”
12So the people scattered all over the land of Egypt to gather stubble for straw. 13The taskmasters kept pressing them, saying, “Fulfill your quota each day, just as you did when straw was provided.”Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Exodus 5:13–14 | The taskmasters kept pressing them, saying, “Fulfill your quota each day, just as you did when straw was provided.” Then the Israelite foremen, whom Pharaoh’s taskmasters had set over the people, were beaten and asked, “Why have you not fulfilled your quota of bricks yesterday or today, as you did before?” |
Exodus 5:11 Summary
In this verse, Pharaoh is making life very hard for the Israelites by taking away the straw they need to make bricks, and telling them to find their own straw, but still expecting them to make the same number of bricks. This is a picture of how the world can sometimes seem cruel and unfair, but as believers, we can trust that God is with us, and is working everything out for our good, as promised in Romans 8:28. Just like the Israelites had to trust God to provide for them in the wilderness, we can trust Him to provide for us in our own times of need, and to ultimately bring us out of our struggles into a place of freedom and joy, as seen in Exodus 14:13-31 and Jeremiah 29:11.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Pharaoh refuse to provide straw for the Israelites?
Pharaoh refused to provide straw because he wanted to make the work harder on the Israelites, so they would be occupied and pay no attention to Moses' message, as seen in Exodus 5:9. This was a tactic to break their spirits and prevent them from seeking freedom.
What does this verse reveal about Pharaoh's character?
This verse shows that Pharaoh was a cruel and heartless leader, who cared little for the well-being of the Israelites, and was more concerned with maintaining his power and control over them, similar to the attitude of the king in 1 Samuel 8:18.
How does this verse relate to the overall story of the Exodus?
This verse is a pivotal moment in the Exodus story, as it marks a significant increase in the suffering of the Israelites, and sets the stage for God's miraculous intervention on their behalf, as promised in Exodus 3:8 and fulfilled in Exodus 14:13-31.
What can we learn from the Israelites' situation in this verse?
We can learn that even in the midst of great difficulty and hardship, God is still with us, and can use those situations to ultimately bring about our freedom and redemption, as seen in Romans 8:28 and Jeremiah 29:11.
Reflection Questions
- How do I respond when faced with increased burdens and responsibilities, and what can I learn from the Israelites' experience in this verse?
- In what ways can I trust God to provide for me, even when it seems like He is not, and how can I apply this trust to my everyday life?
- What are some areas in my life where I feel like I am being forced to 'gather my own straw', and how can I seek God's guidance and provision in those areas?
- How can I use my struggles and hardships as opportunities to seek God's presence and power, and to trust in His promises, like the Israelites did in Exodus 14:13-31?
Gill's Exposition on Exodus 5:11
Go ye, get ye straw, where you can find it,.... Before it was provided by the king, and brought to the brickkilns, but now they are bid to go and fetch it themselves, and get it where they could,
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Exodus 5:11
Let there more work be laid upon the men, that they may labour therein; and let them not regard vain words. No JFB commentary on these verses.
Trapp's Commentary on Exodus 5:11
Exodus 5:11 Go ye, get you straw where ye can find it: yet not ought of your work shall be diminished.Ver. 11. Yet not aught.] Such hard service puts Satan his slaves to, and yet they rejoice in their bondage.
Cambridge Bible on Exodus 5:11
10–12. The ‘taskmasters’ communicate the Pharaoh’s commands to the people.
Whedon's Commentary on Exodus 5:11
11. Get you straw — For the sun-baked bricks, which were made of Nile mud mixed with cut straw, as is seen in specimens still preserved.
Sermons on Exodus 5:11
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
The Holiness of God by Ian Murray | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the story of the Israelites' escape from Egypt and their journey to the Red Sea. He emphasizes that just as God delivered the Israelites from |