Exodus 5:8
And the tale of the bricks, which they did make heretofore, ye shall lay upon them; ye shall not diminish ought thereof: for they be idle; therefore they cry, saying, Let us go and sacrifice to our God.
Original Language Analysis
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
1 of 24
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
מַתְכֹּ֨נֶת
And the tale
H4971
מַתְכֹּ֨נֶת
And the tale
Strong's:
H4971
Word #:
2 of 24
proportion (in size, number or ingredients)
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
4 of 24
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
עֹשִׂ֨ים
which they did make
H6213
עֹשִׂ֨ים
which they did make
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
6 of 24
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
תְּמ֤וֹל
H8543
תְּמ֤וֹל
Strong's:
H8543
Word #:
7 of 24
properly, ago, i.e., a (short or long) time since; especially yesterday, or day before yesterday
תָּשִׂ֣ימוּ
ye shall lay
H7760
תָּשִׂ֣ימוּ
ye shall lay
Strong's:
H7760
Word #:
9 of 24
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
עֲלֵיהֶ֔ם
H5921
עֲלֵיהֶ֔ם
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
10 of 24
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
לֹ֥א
H3808
לֹ֥א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
11 of 24
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תִגְרְע֖וּ
upon them ye shall not diminish
H1639
תִגְרְע֖וּ
upon them ye shall not diminish
Strong's:
H1639
Word #:
12 of 24
to scrape off; by implication, to shave, remove, lessen, withhold
מִמֶּ֑נּוּ
H4480
מִמֶּ֑נּוּ
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
13 of 24
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
14 of 24
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
נִרְפִּ֣ים
ought thereof for they be idle
H7503
נִרְפִּ֣ים
ought thereof for they be idle
Strong's:
H7503
Word #:
15 of 24
to slacken (in many applications, literal or figurative)
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
17 of 24
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
כֵּ֗ן
H3651
כֵּ֗ן
Strong's:
H3651
Word #:
18 of 24
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
צֹֽעֲקִים֙
therefore they cry
H6817
צֹֽעֲקִים֙
therefore they cry
Strong's:
H6817
Word #:
20 of 24
to shriek; (by implication) to proclaim (an assembly)
נֵֽלְכָ֖ה
H1980
נֵֽלְכָ֖ה
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
22 of 24
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
Historical Context
Archaeological evidence confirms ancient Egyptian brick-making used straw as binding material. The escalating oppression in verses 6-8 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 8 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.