Exodus 5:19
And the officers of the children of Israel did see that they were in evil case, after it was said, Ye shall not minish ought from your bricks of your daily task.
Original Language Analysis
וַיִּרְא֞וּ
did see
H7200
וַיִּרְא֞וּ
did see
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
1 of 13
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
שֹֽׁטְרֵ֧י
And the officers
H7860
שֹֽׁטְרֵ֧י
And the officers
Strong's:
H7860
Word #:
2 of 13
properly, a scribe, i.e., (by analogy or implication) an official superintendent or magistrate
בְנֵֽי
of the children
H1121
בְנֵֽי
of the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
3 of 13
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
4 of 13
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
אֹתָ֖ם
H853
אֹתָ֖ם
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
5 of 13
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בְּרָ֣ע
that they were in evil
H7451
בְּרָ֣ע
that they were in evil
Strong's:
H7451
Word #:
6 of 13
bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
8 of 13
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תִגְרְע֥וּ
Ye shall not minish
H1639
תִגְרְע֥וּ
Ye shall not minish
Strong's:
H1639
Word #:
9 of 13
to scrape off; by implication, to shave, remove, lessen, withhold
מִלִּבְנֵיכֶ֖ם
ought from your bricks
H3843
מִלִּבְנֵיכֶ֖ם
ought from your bricks
Strong's:
H3843
Word #:
10 of 13
a brick (from the whiteness of the clay)
דְּבַר
task
H1697
דְּבַר
task
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
11 of 13
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
Historical Context
Archaeological evidence confirms ancient Egyptian brick-making used straw as binding material. The escalating oppression in verses 6-19 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 19 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.