Exodus 5:3
A focused desk for reading, commentary, cross-references, original language notes, and your own observations.
Exodus 5:3
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.
Chapter Context
Exodus 5 is a narrative with legal sections chapter in the Old Testament that explores themes of faith, sacrifice, truth. Written during the Egyptian bondage and wilderness wandering (c. 1446-1406 BCE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: Egypt was the dominant superpower with a complex polytheistic religion and a god-king pharaoh.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-20: Central message and teachings
- Verses 21-23: Conclusion and application
This chapter is significant because it establishes important theological principles that resonate throughout Scripture. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within Exodus and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
Exodus 5:3
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.
Analysis
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.
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.
Reflection
- Why does genuine worship sometimes require separation from worldly systems?
- How do you balance cultural engagement with spiritual distinctiveness?
Word Studies
- Lord: יְהוָה / אֲדֹנָי (YHWH / Adonai) H3068 - The LORD / Lord
Cross-References
- Sacrifice: Exodus 3:18