Exodus 5:14
And the officers of the children of Israel, which Pharaoh's taskmasters had set over them, were beaten, and demanded, Wherefore have ye not fulfilled your task in making brick both yesterday and to day, as heretofore?
Original Language Analysis
וַיֻּכּ֗וּ
over them were beaten
H5221
וַיֻּכּ֗וּ
over them were beaten
Strong's:
H5221
Word #:
1 of 21
to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)
שֹֽׁטְרֵי֙
And the officers
H7860
שֹֽׁטְרֵי֙
And the officers
Strong's:
H7860
Word #:
2 of 21
properly, a scribe, i.e., (by analogy or implication) an official superintendent or magistrate
בְּנֵ֣י
of the children
H1121
בְּנֵ֣י
of the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
3 of 21
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
4 of 21
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
5 of 21
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
שָׂ֣מוּ
had set
H7760
שָׂ֣מוּ
had set
Strong's:
H7760
Word #:
6 of 21
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
עֲלֵהֶ֔ם
H5921
עֲלֵהֶ֔ם
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
7 of 21
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
נֹֽגְשֵׂ֥י
taskmasters
H5065
נֹֽגְשֵׂ֥י
taskmasters
Strong's:
H5065
Word #:
8 of 21
to drive (an animal, a workman, a debtor, an army); by implication, to tax, harass, tyrannize
מַדּ֡וּעַ
H4069
מַדּ֡וּעַ
Strong's:
H4069
Word #:
11 of 21
what (is) known?; i.e., (by implication) (adverbially) why?
לֹא֩
H3808
לֹא֩
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
12 of 21
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
כִלִּיתֶ֨ם
Wherefore have ye not fulfilled
H3615
כִלִּיתֶ֨ם
Wherefore have ye not fulfilled
Strong's:
H3615
Word #:
13 of 21
to end, whether intransitive (to cease, be finished, perish) or transitive (to complete, prepare, consume)
חָקְכֶ֤ם
your task
H2706
חָקְכֶ֤ם
your task
Strong's:
H2706
Word #:
14 of 21
an enactment; hence, an appointment (of time, space, quantity, labor or usage)
תְּמ֖וֹל
both yesterday
H8543
תְּמ֖וֹל
both yesterday
Strong's:
H8543
Word #:
16 of 21
properly, ago, i.e., a (short or long) time since; especially yesterday, or day before yesterday
שִׁלְשֹׁ֔ם
as heretofore
H8032
שִׁלְשֹׁ֔ם
as heretofore
Strong's:
H8032
Word #:
17 of 21
trebly, i.e., (in time) day before yesterday
גַּם
H1571
גַּם
Strong's:
H1571
Word #:
18 of 21
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
תְּמ֖וֹל
both yesterday
H8543
תְּמ֖וֹל
both yesterday
Strong's:
H8543
Word #:
19 of 21
properly, ago, i.e., a (short or long) time since; especially yesterday, or day before yesterday
Historical Context
Archaeological evidence confirms ancient Egyptian brick-making used straw as binding material. The escalating oppression in verses 6-14 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 14 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.