Exodus 5:13
And the taskmasters hasted them, saying, Fulfil your works, your daily tasks, as when there was straw.
Original Language Analysis
וְהַנֹּֽגְשִׂ֖ים
And the taskmasters
H5065
וְהַנֹּֽגְשִׂ֖ים
And the taskmasters
Strong's:
H5065
Word #:
1 of 11
to drive (an animal, a workman, a debtor, an army); by implication, to tax, harass, tyrannize
אָצִ֣ים
hasted
H213
אָצִ֣ים
hasted
Strong's:
H213
Word #:
2 of 11
to press; (by implication) to be close, hurry, withdraw
כַּלּ֤וּ
Fulfil
H3615
כַּלּ֤וּ
Fulfil
Strong's:
H3615
Word #:
4 of 11
to end, whether intransitive (to cease, be finished, perish) or transitive (to complete, prepare, consume)
מַֽעֲשֵׂיכֶם֙
your works
H4639
מַֽעֲשֵׂיכֶם֙
your works
Strong's:
H4639
Word #:
5 of 11
an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication, a product (specifically, a poem) or (generally) property
דְּבַר
tasks
H1697
דְּבַר
tasks
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
6 of 11
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
בְּיוֹמ֔וֹ
your daily
H3117
בְּיוֹמ֔וֹ
your daily
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
7 of 11
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
בְּיוֹמ֔וֹ
your daily
H3117
בְּיוֹמ֔וֹ
your daily
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
8 of 11
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֖ר
H834
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֖ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
9 of 11
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
Historical Context
Archaeological evidence confirms ancient Egyptian brick-making used straw as binding material. The escalating oppression in verses 6-13 follows documented patterns of ancient slave economies.
Questions for Reflection
- How do impossible expectations create false guilt in modern systems?
- What does this passage teach about systemic injustice?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Verse 13 content addresses the systematic oppression through impossible brick quotas. The removal of straw while maintaining production requirements embodies how evil systems break spirits through mathematically impossible demands.