Exodus 5:17
Exodus 5:17 in Multiple Translations
“You are slackers!” Pharaoh replied. “Slackers! That is why you keep saying, ‘Let us go and sacrifice to the LORD.’
But he said, Ye are idle, ye are idle: therefore ye say, Let us go and do sacrifice to the LORD.
But he said, Ye are idle, ye are idle: therefore ye say, Let us go and sacrifice to Jehovah.
But he said, You have no love for work: that is why you say, Let us go and make an offering to the Lord.
“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.’
But he said, Ye are to much idle: therfore ye say, Let vs goe to offer sacrifice to the Lord.
And he saith, 'Remiss — ye are remiss, therefore ye are saying, Let us go, let us sacrifice to Jehovah;
But Pharaoh said, “You are idle! You are idle! Therefore you say, ‘Let’s go and sacrifice to the LORD.’
But he said, Ye are idle, ye are idle: therefore ye say, Let us go, and do sacrifice to the LORD.
And he said: You are idle, and therefore you say: Let us go and sacrifice to the Lord.
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.’
Berean Amplified Bible — Exodus 5:17
BAB
Word Study
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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 5:17 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יֹּ֛אמֶר
נִרְפִּ֥ים
אַתֶּ֖ם
נִרְפִּ֑ים
עַל
כֵּן֙
אַתֶּ֣ם
אֹֽמְרִ֔ים
נֵלְכָ֖ה
נִזְבְּחָ֥ה
לַֽ/יהוָֽה
וַ/יֹּ֛אמֶר
ʼâmar
H559
to say
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
נִרְפִּ֥ים
râphâh
H7503
to slacken
V-Niphal
אַתֶּ֖ם
ʼattâh
H859
you(m.s.)
Pron
נִרְפִּ֑ים
râphâh
H7503
to slacken
V-Niphal
עַל
ʻal
H5921
upon
Prep
כֵּן֙
kên
H3651
right
Part
אַתֶּ֣ם
ʼattâh
H859
you(m.s.)
Pron
אֹֽמְרִ֔ים
ʼâmar
H559
to say
V-Qal
נֵלְכָ֖ה
yâlak
H3212
to walk
V-Qal-1cp
נִזְבְּחָ֥ה
zâbach
H2076
to sacrifice
V-Qal-1cp
לַֽ/יהוָֽה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
The Lord
Prep | N-proper
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Exodus 5:17
וַ/יֹּ֛אמֶר
ʼâmar
H559
"to say"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.
Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.
נִרְפִּ֥ים
râphâh
H7503
"to slacken"
V-Niphal
This Hebrew word means to slacken or relax, and is used in many contexts, such as feeling disheartened or abandoning something. It appears in various forms throughout the Old Testament, including in Psalms and Proverbs. The word can also mean to let go or be idle.
Definition: 1) to sink, relax, sink down, let drop, be disheartened 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to sink down 1a2) to sink, drop 1a3) to sink, relax, abate 1a4) to relax, withdraw 1b) (Niphal) idle (participle) 1c) (Piel) to let drop 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to let drop, abandon, relax, refrain, forsake 1d2) to let go 1d3) to refrain, let alone 1d4) to be quiet 1e) (Hithpael) to show oneself slack
Usage: Occurs in 45 OT verses. KJV: abate, cease, consume, draw (toward evening), fail, (be) faint, be (wax) feeble, forsake, idle, leave, let alone (go, down), (be) slack, stay, be still, be slothful, (be) weak(-en). See H7495 (רָפָא). See also: Exodus 4:26; Nehemiah 6:3; Psalms 37:8.
אַתֶּ֖ם
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.
נִרְפִּ֑ים
râphâh
H7503
"to slacken"
V-Niphal
This Hebrew word means to slacken or relax, and is used in many contexts, such as feeling disheartened or abandoning something. It appears in various forms throughout the Old Testament, including in Psalms and Proverbs. The word can also mean to let go or be idle.
Definition: 1) to sink, relax, sink down, let drop, be disheartened 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to sink down 1a2) to sink, drop 1a3) to sink, relax, abate 1a4) to relax, withdraw 1b) (Niphal) idle (participle) 1c) (Piel) to let drop 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to let drop, abandon, relax, refrain, forsake 1d2) to let go 1d3) to refrain, let alone 1d4) to be quiet 1e) (Hithpael) to show oneself slack
Usage: Occurs in 45 OT verses. KJV: abate, cease, consume, draw (toward evening), fail, (be) faint, be (wax) feeble, forsake, idle, leave, let alone (go, down), (be) slack, stay, be still, be slothful, (be) weak(-en). See H7495 (רָפָא). See also: Exodus 4:26; Nehemiah 6:3; Psalms 37:8.
עַל
ʻal
H5921
"upon"
Prep
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)
Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.
כֵּן֙
kên
H3651
"right"
Part
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means 'so' or 'thus', often used to show agreement or confirmation, like in the book of Genesis. It can also mean 'rightly' or 'justly', as in doing something the correct way. It appears in various forms throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: adv adj 1) right, just, honest, true, veritable 1a) right, just, honest 1b) correct 1c) true, veritable
Usage: Occurs in 737 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] after that (this, -ward, -wards), as... as, [phrase] (for-) asmuch as yet, [phrase] be (for which) cause, [phrase] following, howbeit, in (the) like (manner, -wise), [idiom] the more, right, (even) so, state, straightway, such (thing), surely, [phrase] there (where) -fore, this, thus, true, well, [idiom] you. See also: Genesis 1:7; Exodus 37:19; Judges 7:17.
אַתֶּ֣ם
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.
אֹֽמְרִ֔ים
ʼâmar
H559
"to say"
V-Qal
This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.
Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.
נֵלְכָ֖ה
yâlak
H3212
"to walk"
V-Qal-1cp
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.
נִזְבְּחָ֥ה
zâbach
H2076
"to sacrifice"
V-Qal-1cp
To sacrifice means to slaughter an animal, usually for a religious offering, as seen in the Bible's instructions for worship. This term is used in many contexts, including sacrifices for eating or in divine judgment. It's often translated as 'kill' or 'offer' in the KJV.
Definition: 1) to slaughter, kill, sacrifice, slaughter for sacrifice 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to slaughter for sacrifice 1a2) to slaughter for eating 1a3) to slaughter in divine judgment 1b) (Piel) to sacrifice, offer sacrifice Aramaic equivalent: de.vach (דְּבַח "to sacrifice" H1684)
Usage: Occurs in 127 OT verses. KJV: kill, offer, (do) sacrifice, slay. See also: Genesis 31:54; 1 Kings 8:62; Psalms 4:6.
לַֽ/יהוָֽה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
"The Lord"
Prep | N-proper
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.
Study Notes — Exodus 5:17
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Exodus 5:17 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Exodus 5:17
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Exodus 5:17
- Trapp's Commentary on Exodus 5:17
- Ellicott's Commentary on Exodus 5:17
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Exodus 5:17
- Cambridge Bible on Exodus 5:17
- Barnes' Notes on Exodus 5:17
- Sermons on Exodus 5:17
Context — The Cry of the Israelites
15So the Israelite foremen went and appealed to Pharaoh: “Why are you treating your servants this way?
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.” 19The Israelite foremen realized they were in trouble when they were told, “You must not reduce your daily quota of bricks.”Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Matthew 26:8 | When the disciples saw this, they were indignant and asked, “Why this waste? |
| 2 | John 6:27 | Do not work for food that perishes, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on Him God the Father has placed His seal of approval.” |
| 3 | Exodus 5:8 | But require of them the same quota of bricks as before; do not reduce it. For they are lazy; that is why they are crying out, ‘Let us go and sacrifice to our God.’ |
| 4 | 2 Thessalonians 3:10–11 | For even while we were with you, we gave you this command: “If anyone is unwilling to work, he shall not eat.” Yet we hear that some of you are leading undisciplined lives and accomplishing nothing but being busybodies. |
Exodus 5:17 Summary
In Exodus 5:17, Pharaoh accuses the Israelites of being slackers because they want to take time to worship the LORD. This shows that Pharaoh does not care about the Israelites' spiritual well-being and only wants them to work harder, similar to what is described in Exodus 1:13-14. As believers, we can learn from this verse that our priorities should be focused on pleasing God, not just doing what others want us to do (Colossians 3:23-24). We should seek to obey and please God, even when it's hard or unpopular, just as Moses did in Exodus 3:11-12 and the apostle Paul did in Galatians 1:10.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Pharaoh accuse the Israelites of being slackers?
Pharaoh accused the Israelites of being slackers because he believed they were using their request to sacrifice to the LORD as an excuse to avoid their work, as seen in Exodus 5:17. This shows Pharaoh's hardness of heart towards the Israelites and their God, similar to what is described in Exodus 4:21.
What was the root of Pharaoh's anger towards the Israelites?
The root of Pharaoh's anger was his refusal to acknowledge the LORD and his desire to keep the Israelites in bondage, as seen in Exodus 5:1-2. This is similar to the way Pharaoh's heart was hardened in Exodus 7:13-14, where he refused to listen to Moses and Aaron.
How does this verse relate to the overall story of the Exodus?
This verse shows the escalating tension between Pharaoh and the Israelites, which ultimately leads to the miraculous deliverance of the Israelites from Egypt, as described in Exodus 12:31-42 and Exodus 14:13-31. It highlights Pharaoh's stubbornness and the Israelites' faith in the face of adversity, similar to the faith of the Israelites in Exodus 14:13-14.
What can we learn from Pharaoh's response to the Israelites' request?
We can learn that when we are faced with opposition or adversity, we must remain faithful and trust in the LORD, just as the Israelites did in Exodus 5:17 and Moses did in Exodus 3:11-12. We must not let the opinions of others dictate our actions, but rather seek to obey and please God, as seen in Colossians 3:23-24 and Galatians 1:10.
Reflection Questions
- How do I respond when faced with opposition or accusations, and what can I learn from the Israelites' example in Exodus 5:17?
- What are some areas in my life where I may be using excuses to avoid my responsibilities, and how can I apply the lesson from Exodus 5:17 to those areas?
- How can I remain faithful and trust in the LORD when faced with adversity, just as the Israelites did in Exodus 5:17 and Moses did in Exodus 3:11-12?
- What are some ways I can prioritize my relationship with the LORD and seek to obey and please Him, even in the face of opposition, as seen in Exodus 5:1-2 and Colossians 3:23-24?
Gill's Exposition on Exodus 5:17
But he said, ye are idle, ye are idle,.... Instead of expressing indignation at the taskmasters, and relieving the officers and the people, he insults them in a flouting sarcastic way, charging them
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Exodus 5:17
And the taskmasters hasted them, saying, Fulfil your works, your daily tasks, as when there was straw. Taskmasters hasted ... officers ... beaten.
Trapp's Commentary on Exodus 5:17
Exodus 5:17 But he said, Ye [are] idle, [ye are] idle: therefore ye say, Let us go [and] do sacrifice to the LORD.Ver. 17. Ye are idle.]
Ellicott's Commentary on Exodus 5:17
(17) Ye are idle.—Idleness was regarded by the Egyptians as one of the worst sins. It had to be specially disclaimed in the final judgment before Osiris (Birch, in Bunsen’s Egypt, vol. v. p. 254). Men sometimes disclaimed it in the epitaphs which they placed upon their tombs (Records of the Past, vol. vi. p. 137). Pharaoh had already made the charge, by implication, against Moses and Aaron (Exodus 5:4). No doubt, among the Egyptians themselves, a good deal of idleness resulted from the frequent attendance upon religious festivals (Herod. ii. 59-64). Hence the charge might seem plausible.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Exodus 5:17
Verse 17. 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 fervour 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.
Cambridge Bible on Exodus 5:17
15–19. The officers of the Israelites expostulate with the Pharaoh, but to no effect. Cf. Erman, 177 (a complaint of the absence of straw).
Barnes' Notes on Exodus 5:17
Ye are idle - The old Egyptian language abounds in epithets which show contempt for idleness.
Sermons on Exodus 5:17
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Alabaster Box of Ointment by Charles Anderson | In this sermon, the speaker shares a story about a man named Casey who was distributing leaflets about the blood of Jesus. Casey encountered a drunk man and explained to him how th |
|
Offenses by Gareth Evans | In this sermon, the speaker shares a personal story of their radical conversion to Christianity. They recall a time when they were invited to give their testimony and sing at a mee |
|
Bridal Love by Basilea Schlink | Basilea Schlink emphasizes the profound nature of love that Jesus desires from us, likening it to the exclusive love between a bride and her bridegroom. This love must take precede |
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(John - Part 27): The Material Kingdom and the Spiritual Kingdom by A.W. Tozer | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the similarities between the physical world we live in and the spiritual world of God's presence. He uses the example of the four living crea |
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(John the Baptist Comes to Town) - Part 3 - Sermon That Cost a Preacher His Head by Rolfe Barnard | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the ministry of John the Baptist and the sermon that ultimately cost him his head. The sermon was about holiness, righteousness, and God's h |
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What Shall We Do That We Might Work the Works of God? by Major Ian Thomas | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the lack of interest among Christians in attending meetings where the Word of God is taught. He suggests that many Christians are only interes |
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A Bridal Relationship - Part 3 by Zac Poonen | This sermon emphasizes the importance of seeking a deep connection with God rather than seeking material blessings or temporary things. It highlights the significance of seeking Go |