Exodus 5:4
And the king of Egypt said unto them, Wherefore do ye, Moses and Aaron, let the people from their works? get you unto your burdens.
Original Language Analysis
לָ֚מָּה
H4100
לָ֚מָּה
Strong's:
H4100
Word #:
5 of 13
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
מֹשֶׁ֣ה
unto them Wherefore do ye Moses
H4872
מֹשֶׁ֣ה
unto them Wherefore do ye Moses
Strong's:
H4872
Word #:
6 of 13
mosheh, the israelite lawgiver
תַּפְרִ֥יעוּ
let
H6544
תַּפְרִ֥יעוּ
let
Strong's:
H6544
Word #:
8 of 13
to loosen; by implication, to expose, dismiss; figuratively, absolve, begin
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
9 of 13
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הָעָ֖ם
the people
H5971
הָעָ֖ם
the people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
10 of 13
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
מִמַּֽעֲשָׂ֑יו
from their works
H4639
מִמַּֽעֲשָׂ֑יו
from their works
Strong's:
H4639
Word #:
11 of 13
an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication, a product (specifically, a poem) or (generally) property
Historical Context
Egyptian building projects relied on corvée labor from subject populations. Pharaoh's concern about work stoppages reflects the precarious logistics of maintaining massive construction programs.
Questions for Reflection
- How do oppressive systems today reframe justice as 'laziness' or 'entitlement'?
- What does Pharaoh's response reveal about the spiritual dimensions of economic exploitation?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Pharaoh accuses Moses and Aaron of making the people 'rest' (שָׁבַת, shavat) from their burdens—the same root as 'Sabbath.' He perceives their liberation theology as laziness, revealing how oppressive systems reframe justice demands as threatening to productivity.