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Liber Exodus, 5

1. post hæc ingressi sunt Moses et Aaron et dixerunt Pharaoni hæc dicit Dominus Deus Israël dimitte populum meum ut sacrificet mihi in deserto

1. After these things Moses and Aaron went in, and said to Pharao: Thus saith the Lord God of Israel: Let my people go that they may sacrifice to me in the desert.

2. at ille respondit quis est Dominus ut audiam vocem ejus et dimittam Israël nescio Dominum et Israël non dimittam

2. But he answered: Who is the Lord, that I should hear his voice, and let Israel go? I know not the Lord, neither will I let Israel go.

3. dixerunt Deus Hebræorum vocavit nos ut eamus viam trium dierum in solitudinem et sacrificemus Domino Deo nostro ne forte accidat nobis pestis aut gladius

3. And they said: The God of the Hebrews hath called us, to go three days' journey into the wilderness and to sacrifice to the Lord our God: lest a pestilence or the sword fall upon us.

4. ait ad eos rex Ægypti quare Moses et Aaron sollicitatis populum ab operibus suis ite ad onera vestra

4. The king of Egypt said to them: Why do you Moses and Aaron draw off the people from their works? Get you gone to your burdens.

5. dixitque Pharao multus est populus terræ videtis quod turba succreverit quanto magis si dederitis eis requiem ab operibus

5. And Pharao said: The people of the land is numerous: you see that the multitude is increased: how much more if you give them rest from their works?

6. præcepit ergo in die illo præfectis operum et exactoribus populi dicens

6. Therefore he commanded the same day the overseers of the works, and the taskmasters of the people, saying:

7. nequaquam ultra dabitis paleas populo ad conficiendos lateres sicut prius sed ipsi vadant et colligant stipulam

7. You shall give straw no more to the people to make brick, as before: but let them go and gather straw.

8. et mensuram laterum quos prius faciebant inponetis super eos nec minuetis quicquam vacant enim et idcirco vociferantur dicentes eamus et sacrificemus Deo nostro

8. And you shall lay upon them the task of bricks, which they did before, neither shall you diminish any thing thereof: for they are idle, and therefore they cry, saying: Let us go and sacrifice to our God.

9. opprimantur operibus et expleant ea ut non adquiescant verbis mendacibus

9. Let them be oppressed, with works, and let them fulfill them: that they may not regard lying words.

10. igitur egressi præfecti operum et exactores ad populum dixerunt sic dicit Pharao non do vobis paleas

10. And the overseers of the works and the taskmasters went out and said to the people: Thus saith Pharao, I allow you no straw:

11. ite et colligite sicubi invenire potueritis nec minuetur quicquam de opere vestro

11. Go, and gather it where you can find it: neither shall any thing of your work be diminished.

12. dispersusque est populus per omnem terram Ægypti ad colligendas paleas

12. And the people was scattered through all the land of Egypt to gather straw.

13. præfecti quoque operum instabant dicentes conplete opus vestrum cotidie ut prius facere solebatis quando dabantur vobis paleæ

13. And the overseers of the works pressed them, saying: Fulfill your work every day as before you were wont to do when straw was given you.

14. flagellatique sunt qui præerant operibus filiorum Israël ab exactoribus Pharaonis dicentibus quare non impletis mensuram laterum sicut prius nec heri nec hodie

14. And they that were over the works of the children of Israel were scourged by Pharao's taskmasters, saying: Why have you not made up the task of bricks both yesterday and to day as before?

15. veneruntque præpositi filiorum Israël et vociferati sunt ad Pharaonem dicentes cur ita agis contra servos tuos

15. And the officers of the children of Israel came, and cried out to Pharao, saying: Why dealest thou so with thy servants?

16. paleæ non dantur nobis et lateres similiter imperantur en famuli tui flagellis cædimur et iniuste agitur contra populum tuum

16. Straw is not given us, and bricks are required of us as before: behold we thy servants are beaten with whips, and thy people is unjustly dealt withal.

17. qui ait vacatis otio et idcirco dicitis eamus et sacrificemus Domino

17. And he said: You are idle, and therefore you say: Let us go and sacrifice to the Lord.

18. ite ergo et operamini paleæ non dabuntur vobis et reddetis consuetum numerum laterum

18. Go therefore, and work: straw shall not be given you, and you shall deliver the accustomed number of bricks.

19. videbantque se præpositi filiorum Israël in malo eo quod diceretur eis non minuetur quicquam de lateribus per singulos dies

19. And the officers of the children of Israel saw that they were in evil case, because it was said to them: There shall not a whit be diminished of the bricks for every day.

20. occurreruntque Mosi et Aaron qui stabant ex adverso egredientes a Pharaone

20. And they met Moses and Aaron, who stood over against them as they came out from Pharao:

21. et dixerunt ad eos videat Dominus et judicet quoniam fetere fecistis odorem nostrum coram Pharao et servis ejus et præbuistis ei gladium ut occideret nos

21. And they said to them: The Lord see and judge, because you have made our savour to stink before Pharao and his servants, and you have given him a sword to kill us.

22. reversusque Moses ad Dominum ait Domine cur adflixisti populum istum quare misisti me

22. And Moses returned to the Lord, and said: Lord, why hast thou afflicted this people? wherefore hast thou sent me?

23. ex eo enim quo ingressus sum ad Pharaonem ut loquerer nomine tuo adflixit populum tuum et non liberasti eos

23. For since the time that I went in to Pharao to speak in thy name, he hath afflicted thy people: and thou hast not delivered them.



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Footnotes:

5:1-2 - Moses and Aaron confront Pharaoh, asking him to let the people of Israel go into the wilderness to worship God. Pharaoh refuses, revealing his hardness of heart and lack of fear of God, a recurring theme throughout the Exodus narrative (see also Exodus 7:13 and Romans 9:17).

5:6-9 - Pharaoh increases the Israelites' burden by demanding that they continue making bricks without providing the necessary straw. This demonstrates the cruelty of the oppressor and the intensity of the suffering of God's people (see also Exodus 1:13-14 and Jeremiah 50:33).

5:15-19 - The Israelite officials are rebuked by Pharaoh, and the oppression increases even further. The Israelites' outcry reflects the desperation caused by slavery, highlighting the need for deliverance (see also Exodus 2:23-24 and Psalm 107:19-20).

5:20-21 - The Israelites confront Moses and Aaron, blaming them for increasing their suffering. This reflects the people's internal struggle to trust God's plan in the face of adversity (see also Numbers 14:1-4 and Isaiah 30:15).

5:22-23 - Moses questions God about Israel's suffering. His prayer expresses human frustration and the search for answers in the face of suffering, a universal question in faith (see also Psalm 13:1-2 and Habakkuk 1:2-3).

Verses related to Liber Exodus, 5:

Exodus chapter 5 recounts Moses' first confrontation with Pharaoh. How does the Israelites' situation get worse before it gets better? This tense text describes Pharaoh's refusal to free Israel, the increasing oppression of the Hebrews, and the discouragement of the people. The chapter addresses topics such as resistance to God's plan, apparent initial failure and the importance of perseverance in faith. Exodus 5 also shows Moses' honesty in expressing his doubts to God. Reflect with us on five biblical passages that relate to the themes of trial and faith in this crucial chapter.

Acts 7:35: "This Moses, whom they had rejected, saying, 'Who appointed him leader and judge?', was sent by God himself to be their leader and liberator, through the angel who appeared to him in the bush." - This passage reflects on the initial rejection of Moses by his people, as seen in Exodus 5.

Romans 9:17-18: "For the Scripture says to Pharaoh: 'I raised you up for this very purpose: to show my power in you and to cause my name to be proclaimed in all the earth.' Therefore, God has mercy on whom he wills, and hardens whom he wills." - Paul reflects on the hardening of Pharaoh's heart, which begins in Exodus 5.

Hebrews 3:7-8: "Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says: 'Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts, as in rebellion, during the time of trial in the wilderness.'" - This passage warns against hardening the heart, mirroring Pharaoh's behavior in Exodus 5.

2 Timothy 3:8: "Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, they also oppose the truth. They are men of corrupted minds, disapproved of their faith." - Although not mentioned in Exodus, Jewish tradition identifies Jannes and Jambres as the wise men who opposed Moses, beginning in Exodus 5.

1 Peter 2:18-20: "Slaves, submit yourselves to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and lovely, but also to the bad. For it is praiseworthy if, out of conscience toward God, one endures afflictions by suffering unjustly. For what advantage is there in enduring floggings received for having committed evil? But if you endure suffering for doing good, that is praiseworthy before God." - This text echoes the plight of the Israelites in Exodus 5, who suffered unjustly under Pharaoh.

FAQ:

What was Pharaoh's first reaction to Moses' request to let the Israelites go?

Pharaoh rejected Moses and Aaron's request that the Israelites go to worship God in the wilderness, and he increased the Israelites' workload. (Exodus 5:2-4)

How was the oppression of the Israelites intensified after Moses' visit to Pharaoh?

Pharaoh ordered the Israelites to collect their own straw to make bricks, further increasing their workload and making their lives more difficult. (Exodus 5:7-9)

What did the Israelite officials tell Moses and Aaron about the increasing oppression?

The Israelite officials blamed Moses and Aaron for the increased oppression and asked them to go to God to ease the burden that had intensified. (Exodus 5:15-21)

How did Moses respond to increasing oppression and his own crisis of faith?

Moses expressed his frustration and doubt to God, asking why the situation had worsened and crying out for divine intervention. (Exodus 5:22-23)

What did God promise Moses after the intensified oppression?

God promised to deliver the Israelites from Egyptian oppression, reaffirming His covenant and promising to lead His people to the promised land. (Exodus 6:6-8)


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