Exodus 5:3
And they said, The God of the Hebrews hath met with us: let us go, we pray thee, three days' journey into the desert, and sacrifice unto the LORD our God; lest he fall upon us with pestilence, or with the sword.
Original Language Analysis
אֱלֹהֵ֔ינוּ
The God
H430
אֱלֹהֵ֔ינוּ
The God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
2 of 19
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
הָֽעִבְרִ֖ים
of the Hebrews
H5680
הָֽעִבְרִ֖ים
of the Hebrews
Strong's:
H5680
Word #:
3 of 19
an eberite (i.e., hebrew) or descendant of eber
נִקְרָ֣א
hath met
H7122
נִקְרָ֣א
hath met
Strong's:
H7122
Word #:
4 of 19
to encounter, whether accidentally or in a hostile manner
עָלֵ֑ינוּ
H5921
עָלֵ֑ינוּ
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
5 of 19
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
נֵ֣לֲכָה
H1980
נֵ֣לֲכָה
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
6 of 19
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
נָּ֡א
H4994
נָּ֡א
Strong's:
H4994
Word #:
7 of 19
'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction
דֶּרֶךְ֩
journey
H1870
דֶּרֶךְ֩
journey
Strong's:
H1870
Word #:
8 of 19
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
שְׁלֹ֨שֶׁת
we pray thee three
H7969
שְׁלֹ֨שֶׁת
we pray thee three
Strong's:
H7969
Word #:
9 of 19
three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice
יָמִ֜ים
days
H3117
יָמִ֜ים
days
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
10 of 19
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
בַּמִּדְבָּ֗ר
into the desert
H4057
בַּמִּדְבָּ֗ר
into the desert
Strong's:
H4057
Word #:
11 of 19
a pasture (i.e., open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert
וְנִזְבְּחָה֙
and sacrifice
H2076
וְנִזְבְּחָה֙
and sacrifice
Strong's:
H2076
Word #:
12 of 19
to slaughter an animal (usually in sacrifice)
לַֽיהוָ֣ה
unto the LORD
H3068
לַֽיהוָ֣ה
unto the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
13 of 19
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֵ֔ינוּ
The God
H430
אֱלֹהֵ֔ינוּ
The God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
14 of 19
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
פֶּ֨ן
H6435
פֶּ֨ן
Strong's:
H6435
Word #:
15 of 19
properly, removal; used only (in the construction) adverb as conjunction, lest
יִפְגָּעֵ֔נוּ
lest he fall
H6293
יִפְגָּעֵ֔נוּ
lest he fall
Strong's:
H6293
Word #:
16 of 19
to impinge, by accident or violence, or (figuratively) by importunity
Historical Context
The term 'Hebrews' (Ivrim) appears primarily in contexts involving Egyptians, suggesting it was Egypt's designation for these Semitic foreigners. Ancient cultures understood that gods could strike with plagues—Egypt had experienced natural disasters before.
Questions for Reflection
- Why does genuine worship sometimes require separation from worldly systems?
- How do you balance cultural engagement with spiritual distinctiveness?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The request explicitly mentions 'the God of the Hebrews' (אֱלֹהֵי הָעִבְרִים), using Israel's ethnic designation. The warning that God might 'fall upon us with pestilence, or with the sword' appeals to Egyptian fears of divine judgment. The three-day journey motif emphasizes proper worship requires separation from Egypt.