Exodus 5:17

Verse

Berean Standard Bible

“You are slackers!” Pharaoh replied. “Slackers! That is why you keep saying, ‘Let us go and sacrifice to the LORD.’

American Standard Version (1901)

But he said, Ye are idle, ye are idle: therefore ye say, Let us go and sacrifice to Jehovah.

Bible in Basic English

But he said, You have no love for work: that is why you say, Let us go and make an offering to the Lord.

Douay-Rheims 1899

And he said: You are idle, and therefore you say: Let us go and sacrifice to the Lord.

Free Bible Version

“No, you're just lazy, lazy people!” Pharaoh replied. “That's why you keep on asking, ‘Please let us go and offer sacrifices to the Lord.’

Geneva Bible 1599

But he said, Ye are to much idle: therfore ye say, Let vs goe to offer sacrifice to the Lord.

King James (Authorized) Version

But he said, Ye are idle, ye are idle: therefore ye say, Let us go and do sacrifice to the LORD.

One Unity Resource Bible

But he said, “You are idle! You are idle! Therefore you say, ‘Let us go and sacrifice to Adonai .’

Translation for Translators

But the king said, “You are lazy and do not want to work! That is why you keep saying, ‘Allow us to go to the desert and offer sacrifices to Yahweh.’

Unlocked Literal Bible

But Pharaoh said, “You are lazy! You are lazy! You say, 'Allow us to go sacrifice to Yahweh.'

Noah Webster Bible

But he said, Ye are idle, ye are idle: therefore ye say, Let us go, and do sacrifice to the LORD.

World English Bible

But Pharaoh said, “You are idle! You are idle! Therefore you say, ‘Let’s go and sacrifice to Yahweh.’

Young's Literal Translation

And he saith, 'Remiss — ye are remiss, therefore ye are saying, Let us go, let us sacrifice to Jehovah;

Context

The Cry of the Israelites

¹⁶No straw has been given to your servants, yet we are told, ‘Make bricks!’ Look, your servants are being beaten, but the fault is with your own people.”¹⁷“You are slackers!” Pharaoh replied. “Slackers! That is why you keep saying, ‘Let us go and sacrifice to the LORD.’¹⁸Now get to work. You will be given no straw, yet you must deliver the full quota of bricks.”

Summary

In Exodus 5:17, the Israelite foremen are frustrated as Pharaoh increases their workload after Moses and Aaron request their release. This verse captures the harsh reality of oppression and injustice faced by the Israelites under Pharaoh's rule. It reflects the struggle of God's people against powerful forces that seek to suppress them. Despite the challenges, this verse sets the stage for God's deliverance and demonstrates the faithfulness of God in fulfilling His promises to His people. Ultimately, Exodus 5:17 highlights the importance of trusting in God's sovereignty and provision even in the midst of adversity.

Commentary

Adam Clarke
John Gill

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

Ye are idle - therefore ye say, Let us go and do sacrifice - It is common for those who feel unconcerned about their own souls to attribute the religious earnestness of others, who feel the importance of eternal things, to idleness or a disregard of their secular concerns. Strange that they cannot see there is a medium! He who has commanded them to be diligent in business, has also commanded them to be fervent in spirit, serving the Lord. He whose diligence in business is not connected with a true religious fervor of spirit, is a lover of the world; and whatever form he may have he has not the power of godliness, and therefore is completely out of the road to salvation.

Exodus 5:17

The Cry of the Israelites

Scripture
Sermons
Commentary

Berean Standard Bible

“You are slackers!” Pharaoh replied. “Slackers! That is why you keep saying, ‘Let us go and sacrifice to the LORD.’

American Standard Version (1901)

But he said, Ye are idle, ye are idle: therefore ye say, Let us go and sacrifice to Jehovah.

Bible in Basic English

But he said, You have no love for work: that is why you say, Let us go and make an offering to the Lord.

Douay-Rheims 1899

And he said: You are idle, and therefore you say: Let us go and sacrifice to the Lord.

Free Bible Version

“No, you're just lazy, lazy people!” Pharaoh replied. “That's why you keep on asking, ‘Please let us go and offer sacrifices to the Lord.’

Geneva Bible 1599

But he said, Ye are to much idle: therfore ye say, Let vs goe to offer sacrifice to the Lord.

King James (Authorized) Version

But he said, Ye are idle, ye are idle: therefore ye say, Let us go and do sacrifice to the LORD.

One Unity Resource Bible

But he said, “You are idle! You are idle! Therefore you say, ‘Let us go and sacrifice to Adonai .’

Translation for Translators

But the king said, “You are lazy and do not want to work! That is why you keep saying, ‘Allow us to go to the desert and offer sacrifices to Yahweh.’

Unlocked Literal Bible

But Pharaoh said, “You are lazy! You are lazy! You say, 'Allow us to go sacrifice to Yahweh.'

Noah Webster Bible

But he said, Ye are idle, ye are idle: therefore ye say, Let us go, and do sacrifice to the LORD.

World English Bible

But Pharaoh said, “You are idle! You are idle! Therefore you say, ‘Let’s go and sacrifice to Yahweh.’

Young's Literal Translation

And he saith, 'Remiss — ye are remiss, therefore ye are saying, Let us go, let us sacrifice to Jehovah;

Exodus 5:17

Verse

Context

The Cry of the Israelites

Summary

Commentary

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

John Gill Bible Commentary

Exodus 5:17

The Cry of the Israelites

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

John Gill Bible Commentary