Exodus 5:21
And they said unto them, The LORD look upon you, and judge; because ye have made our savour to be abhorred in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of his servants, to put a sword in their hand to slay us.
Original Language Analysis
יֵ֧רֶא
look
H7200
יֵ֧רֶא
look
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
3 of 18
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
יְהוָ֛ה
unto them The LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֛ה
unto them The LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
4 of 18
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
עֲלֵיכֶ֖ם
H5921
עֲלֵיכֶ֖ם
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
5 of 18
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
וְיִשְׁפֹּ֑ט
upon you and judge
H8199
וְיִשְׁפֹּ֑ט
upon you and judge
Strong's:
H8199
Word #:
6 of 18
to judge, i.e., pronounce sentence (for or against); by implication, to vindicate or punish; by extenssion, to govern; passively, to litigate (literal
אֲשֶׁ֧ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֧ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
7 of 18
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
הִבְאַשְׁתֶּ֣ם
to be abhorred
H887
הִבְאַשְׁתֶּ֣ם
to be abhorred
Strong's:
H887
Word #:
8 of 18
to smell bad; figuratively, to be offensive morally
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
9 of 18
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וּבְעֵינֵ֣י
and in the eyes
H5869
וּבְעֵינֵ֣י
and in the eyes
Strong's:
H5869
Word #:
11 of 18
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
וּבְעֵינֵ֣י
and in the eyes
H5869
וּבְעֵינֵ֣י
and in the eyes
Strong's:
H5869
Word #:
13 of 18
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
לָֽתֶת
to put
H5414
לָֽתֶת
to put
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
15 of 18
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
חֶ֥רֶב
a sword
H2719
חֶ֥רֶב
a sword
Strong's:
H2719
Word #:
16 of 18
drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement
Cross References
Genesis 34:30And Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, Ye have troubled me to make me to stink among the inhabitants of the land, among the Canaanites and the Perizzites: and I being few in number, they shall gather themselves together against me, and slay me; and I shall be destroyed, I and my house.Exodus 6:9And Moses spake so unto the children of Israel: but they hearkened not unto Moses for anguish of spirit, and for cruel bondage.1 Chronicles 19:6And when the children of Ammon saw that they had made themselves odious to David, Hanun and the children of Ammon sent a thousand talents of silver to hire them chariots and horsemen out of Mesopotamia, and out of Syria-maachah, and out of Zobah.Genesis 16:5And Sarai said unto Abram, My wrong be upon thee: I have given my maid into thy bosom; and when she saw that she had conceived, I was despised in her eyes: the LORD judge between me and thee.1 Samuel 13:4And all Israel heard say that Saul had smitten a garrison of the Philistines, and that Israel also was had in abomination with the Philistines. And the people were called together after Saul to Gilgal.1 Samuel 27:12And Achish believed David, saying, He hath made his people Israel utterly to abhor him; therefore he shall be my servant for ever.2 Samuel 10:6And when the children of Ammon saw that they stank before David, the children of Ammon sent and hired the Syrians of Beth-rehob, and the Syrians of Zoba, twenty thousand footmen, and of king Maacah a thousand men, and of Ish-tob twelve thousand men.
Historical Context
Archaeological evidence confirms ancient Egyptian brick-making used straw as binding material. The escalating oppression in verses 6-21 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 21 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.