Exodus 5:16
Exodus 5:16 in Multiple Translations
No straw has been given to your servants, yet we are told, ‘Make bricks!’ Look, your servants are being beaten, but the fault is with your own people.”
There is no straw given unto thy servants, and they say to us, Make brick: and, behold, thy servants are beaten; but the fault is in thine own people.
There is no straw given unto thy servants, and they say to us, Make brick: and, behold, thy servants are beaten; but the fault is in thine own people.
They give us no dry stems and they say to us, Make bricks: and they give your servants blows; but it is your people who are in the wrong.
You don't give us any straw but your slave drivers demand that we make bricks, and they beat us! Your people are treating us badly!”
There is no strawe giuen to thy seruantes, and they say vnto vs, Make bricke: and loe, thy seruants are beaten, and thy people is blamed.
Straw is not given to thy servants, and they are saying to us, Make bricks, and lo, thy servants are smitten — and thy people hath sinned.'
No straw is given to your servants, and they tell us, ‘Make brick!’ and behold, your servants are beaten; but the fault is in your own people.”
There is no straw given to thy servants, and they say to us, Make brick: and behold, thy servants are beaten; but the fault is in thy own people.
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.
Now they are not giving us any straw for making bricks, but they keep commanding us to make bricks. And now sometimes they beat us. But it is the fault of your own slave bosses that we cannot make as many bricks as before!”
Berean Amplified Bible — Exodus 5:16
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Exodus 5:16 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
תֶּ֗בֶן
אֵ֤ין
נִתָּן֙
לַ/עֲבָדֶ֔י/ךָ
וּ/לְבֵנִ֛ים
אֹמְרִ֥ים
לָ֖/נוּ
עֲשׂ֑וּ
וְ/הִנֵּ֧ה
עֲבָדֶ֛י/ךָ
מֻכִּ֖ים
וְ/חָטָ֥את
עַמֶּֽ/ךָ
תֶּ֗בֶן
teben
H8401
straw
N-ms
אֵ֤ין
ʼayin
H369
nothing
Part
נִתָּן֙
nâthan
H5414
to give
V-Niphal
לַ/עֲבָדֶ֔י/ךָ
ʻebed
H5650
servant/slave
Prep | N-mp | Suff
וּ/לְבֵנִ֛ים
lᵉbênâh
H3843
brick
Conj | N-fp
אֹמְרִ֥ים
ʼâmar
H559
to say
V-Qal
לָ֖/נוּ
Prep | Suff
עֲשׂ֑וּ
ʻâsâh
H6213
to make
V-Qal-Impv-2mp
וְ/הִנֵּ֧ה
hinnêh
H2009
behold
Conj | Part
עֲבָדֶ֛י/ךָ
ʻebed
H5650
servant/slave
N-mp | Suff
מֻכִּ֖ים
nâkâh
H5221
to smite
V-Hophal-Inf-c
וְ/חָטָ֥את
châṭâʼ
H2398
to sin
Conj | V-Qal-2ms
עַמֶּֽ/ךָ
ʻam
H5971
Amaw
N-ms | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Exodus 5:16
תֶּ֗בֶן
teben
H8401
"straw"
N-ms
Teben refers to straw or stubble, often used as fodder for animals or building material. It is mentioned in the Bible as a material for constructing houses.
Definition: 1) straw, stubble 1a) as building material 1b) as fodder for livestock
Usage: Occurs in 16 OT verses. KJV: chaff, straw, stubble. See also: Genesis 24:25; Exodus 5:18; Isaiah 11:7.
אֵ֤ין
ʼayin
H369
"nothing"
Part
This word means nothing or not, often used to indicate the absence of something, as in Genesis 1:2 where the earth was without form. It emphasizes the idea of something lacking or non-existent.
Definition: 1) nothing, not, nought n 1a) nothing, nought neg 1b) not 1c) to have not (of possession) adv 1d) without w/prep 1e) for lack of
Usage: Occurs in 686 OT verses. KJV: else, except, fail, (father-) less, be gone, in(-curable), neither, never, no (where), none, nor, (any, thing), not, nothing, to nought, past, un(-searchable), well-nigh, without. Compare H370 (אַיִן). See also: Genesis 2:5; Deuteronomy 14:27; 1 Kings 15:22.
נִתָּן֙
nâthan
H5414
"to give"
V-Niphal
This word means to give, put, or set something, with a wide range of applications. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, describing God's actions and human interactions. The word is used to convey giving, selling, or exchanging something.
Definition: : give/deliver/send/produce 1) to give, put, set 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to give, bestow, grant, permit, ascribe, employ, devote, consecrate, dedicate, pay wages, sell, exchange, lend, commit, entrust, give over, deliver up, yield produce, occasion, produce, requite to, report, mention, utter, stretch out, extend 1a2) to put, set, put on, put upon, set, appoint, assign, designate 1a3) to make, constitute 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be given, be bestowed, be provided, be entrusted to, be granted to, be permitted, be issued, be published, be uttered, be assigned 1b2) to be set, be put, be made, be inflicted 1c) (Hophal) 1c1) to be given, be bestowed, be given up, be delivered up 1c2) to be put upon
Usage: Occurs in 1816 OT verses. KJV: add, apply, appoint, ascribe, assign, [idiom] avenge, [idiom] be (healed), bestow, bring (forth, hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, [phrase] cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, [idiom] doubtless, [idiom] without fail, fasten, frame, [idiom] get, give (forth, over, up), grant, hang (up), [idiom] have, [idiom] indeed, lay (unto charge, up), (give) leave, lend, let (out), [phrase] lie, lift up, make, [phrase] O that, occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, [idiom] pull, put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send (out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), [phrase] sing, [phrase] slander, strike, (sub-) mit, suffer, [idiom] surely, [idiom] take, thrust, trade, turn, utter, [phrase] weep, [phrase] willingly, [phrase] withdraw, [phrase] would (to) God, yield. See also: Genesis 1:17; Genesis 40:21; Exodus 30:12.
לַ/עֲבָדֶ֔י/ךָ
ʻebed
H5650
"servant/slave"
Prep | N-mp | Suff
This word refers to a servant or slave, often in the context of serving God or a human master. It can also describe a prophet or Levite. The KJV translates it as bondage, bondman, or servant.
Definition: 1) slave, servant 1a) slave, servant, man-servant 1b) subjects 1c) servants, worshippers (of God) 1d) servant (in special sense as prophets, Levites etc) 1e) servant (of Israel) 1f) servant (as form of address between equals) Aramaic equivalent: a.vad (עֲבַד "servant/slave" H5649)
Usage: Occurs in 714 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] bondage, bondman, (bond-) servant, (man-) servant. See also: Genesis 9:25; Exodus 11:3; 1 Samuel 8:16.
וּ/לְבֵנִ֛ים
lᵉbênâh
H3843
"brick"
Conj | N-fp
A brick is a small, whitish block made of clay, used for building, like the altar in Exodus.
Definition: 1) tile, brick 1a) brick 1b) tile 1c) pavement Also spelled: liv.nah (לִבְנָה "brick" H3840)
Usage: Occurs in 10 OT verses. KJV: (altar of) brick, tile. See also: Genesis 11:3; Exodus 5:18; Isaiah 9:9.
אֹמְרִ֥ים
ʼâmar
H559
"to say"
V-Qal
This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.
Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.
לָ֖/נוּ
""
Prep | Suff
עֲשׂ֑וּ
ʻâsâh
H6213
"to make"
V-Qal-Impv-2mp
This verb means to make or do something, and is used over 2,600 times in the Bible. It is first used in Genesis 1:7 to describe God's creation of the world and is also used in Exodus 31:5 to describe the work of skilled craftsmen.
Definition: : make(OBJECT) 1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to do, work, make, produce 1a1a) to do 1a1b) to work 1a1c) to deal (with) 1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect 1a2) to make 1a2a) to make 1a2b) to produce 1a2c) to prepare 1a2d) to make (an offering) 1a2e) to attend to, put in order 1a2f) to observe, celebrate 1a2g) to acquire (property) 1a2h) to appoint, ordain, institute 1a2i) to bring about 1a2j) to use 1a2k) to spend, pass 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be done 1b2) to be made 1b3) to be produced 1b4) to be offered 1b5) to be observed 1b6) to be used 1c) (Pual) to be made
Usage: Occurs in 2286 OT verses. KJV: accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 34:19; Exodus 18:24.
וְ/הִנֵּ֧ה
hinnêh
H2009
"behold"
Conj | Part
This Hebrew word is an expression that means 'behold' or 'look', often used to draw attention to something. It appears in Genesis and Isaiah, and is translated as 'behold' or 'lo' in the KJV.
Definition: behold, lo, see, if
Usage: Occurs in 799 OT verses. KJV: behold, lo, see. See also: Genesis 1:29; Genesis 42:35; Deuteronomy 19:18.
עֲבָדֶ֛י/ךָ
ʻebed
H5650
"servant/slave"
N-mp | Suff
This word refers to a servant or slave, often in the context of serving God or a human master. It can also describe a prophet or Levite. The KJV translates it as bondage, bondman, or servant.
Definition: 1) slave, servant 1a) slave, servant, man-servant 1b) subjects 1c) servants, worshippers (of God) 1d) servant (in special sense as prophets, Levites etc) 1e) servant (of Israel) 1f) servant (as form of address between equals) Aramaic equivalent: a.vad (עֲבַד "servant/slave" H5649)
Usage: Occurs in 714 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] bondage, bondman, (bond-) servant, (man-) servant. See also: Genesis 9:25; Exodus 11:3; 1 Samuel 8:16.
מֻכִּ֖ים
nâkâh
H5221
"to smite"
V-Hophal-Inf-c
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to strike or hit something, and it's used in many different ways, like in Exodus when God strikes down the Egyptians. It can also mean to punish or destroy, as seen in Isaiah. The word is used to describe God's judgment.
Definition: 1) to strike, smite, hit, beat, slay, kill 1a)(Niphal) to be stricken or smitten 1b) (Pual) to be stricken or smitten 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to smite, strike, beat, scourge, clap, applaud, give a thrust 1c2) to smite, kill, slay (man or beast) 1c3) to smite, attack, attack and destroy, conquer, subjugate, ravage 1c4) to smite, chastise, send judgment upon, punish, destroy 1d) (Hophal) to be smitten 1d1) to receive a blow 1d2) to be wounded 1d3) to be beaten 1d4) to be (fatally) smitten, be killed, be slain 1d5) to be attacked and captured 1d6) to be smitten (with disease) 1d7) to be blighted (of plants)
Usage: Occurs in 461 OT verses. KJV: beat, cast forth, clap, give (wounds), [idiom] go forward, [idiom] indeed, kill, make (slaughter), murderer, punish, slaughter, slay(-er, -ing), smite(-r, -ing), strike, be stricken, (give) stripes, [idiom] surely, wound. See also: Genesis 4:15; Joshua 10:20; 1 Samuel 29:5.
וְ/חָטָ֥את
châṭâʼ
H2398
"to sin"
Conj | V-Qal-2ms
To sin means to miss the mark or go wrong, incurring guilt or penalty, and can also mean to repent or make amends. It is used in the Bible to describe wrongdoing and its consequences.
Definition: 1) to sin, miss, miss the way, go wrong, incur guilt, forfeit, purify from uncleanness 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to miss 1a2) to sin, miss the goal or path of right and duty 1a3) to incur guilt, incur penalty by sin, forfeit 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to bear loss 1b2) to make a sin-offering 1b3) to purify from sin 1b4) to purify from uncleanness 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to miss the mark 1c2) to induce to sin, cause to sin 1c3) to bring into guilt or condemnation or punishment 1d) (Hithpael) 1d1) to miss oneself, lose oneself, wander from the way 1d2) to purify oneself from uncleanness
Usage: Occurs in 220 OT verses. KJV: bear the blame, cleanse, commit (sin), by fault, harm he hath done, loss, miss, (make) offend(-er), offer for sin, purge, purify (self), make reconciliation, (cause, make) sin(-ful, -ness), trespass. See also: Genesis 20:6; 1 Kings 15:34; Psalms 4:5.
עַמֶּֽ/ךָ
ʻam
H5971
"Amaw"
N-ms | Suff
A people or nation is what this Hebrew word represents, like the nation of Israel in Exodus 33:13. It can also mean a tribe, troops, or attendants, and is used to describe a group of people gathered together. The word is often used to refer to the people of God.
Definition: This name means nation, people
Usage: Occurs in 1655 OT verses. KJV: folk, men, nation, people. See also: Genesis 11:6; Exodus 16:4; Leviticus 17:9.
Study Notes — Exodus 5:16
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Exodus 5:16 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Exodus 5:16
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Exodus 5:16
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Exodus 5:16
- Trapp's Commentary on Exodus 5:16
- Ellicott's Commentary on Exodus 5:16
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Exodus 5:16
- Cambridge Bible on Exodus 5:16
- Whedon's Commentary on Exodus 5:16
Context — The Cry of the Israelites
14Then the Israelite foremen, whom Pharaoh’s taskmasters had set over the people, were beaten and asked, “Why have you not fulfilled your quota of bricks yesterday or today, as you did before?”
15So the Israelite foremen went and appealed to Pharaoh: “Why are you treating your servants this way?
16No straw has been given to your servants, yet we are told, ‘Make bricks!’ Look, your servants are being beaten, but the fault is with your own people.”
17“You are slackers!” Pharaoh replied. “Slackers! That is why you keep saying, ‘Let us go and sacrifice to the LORD.’ 18Now get to work. You will be given no straw, yet you must deliver the full quota of bricks.”Exodus 5:16 Summary
In Exodus 5:16, the Israelite foremen are complaining to Pharaoh because they have not been given the resources they need to make bricks, but they are still being expected to make the same number of bricks as before. This is an impossible task, and the foremen are being beaten as a result. This verse teaches us that sometimes we will face difficult and unfair situations, but we can seek help and relief from God, just like the Israelite foremen (as seen in Psalm 55:22 and Matthew 11:28). We can also learn to respond to these situations with humility and faith, trusting that God will deliver us, just as He delivered the Israelites from slavery in Egypt (as seen in Exodus 14:13-14 and Exodus 20:2).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main complaint of the Israelite foremen in Exodus 5:16?
The Israelite foremen are complaining that they have not been given straw to make bricks, yet they are still being told to make the same number of bricks as before, which is an impossible task, as seen in Exodus 5:16. This is similar to the complaints of the Israelites in Exodus 2:23-25, where they cried out to God for relief from their burdens.
Why are the Israelite foremen being beaten?
The Israelite foremen are being beaten because they have not fulfilled their quota of bricks, as stated in Exodus 5:14. This is a result of the harsh treatment of the Israelites by the Egyptians, which is also seen in Exodus 1:13-14.
What is the response of the Israelite foremen to their situation?
The Israelite foremen appeal to Pharaoh, explaining their situation and placing the blame on his own people, as seen in Exodus 5:15-16. This is an example of the Israelites seeking justice and relief from their oppressors, similar to the example of Moses in Exodus 2:11-12.
How does this verse relate to the broader theme of the book of Exodus?
This verse relates to the broader theme of the book of Exodus, which is the deliverance of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, as seen in Exodus 6:6 and Exodus 12:31. The Israelite foremen's complaint and appeal to Pharaoh are a part of the larger narrative of the Israelites' cry for help and God's subsequent deliverance of them.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways in which I am being asked to do the impossible, and how can I seek help and relief from God, just like the Israelite foremen in Exodus 5:16?
- How do I respond when I am treated unfairly or harshly, and what can I learn from the example of the Israelite foremen in this verse?
- In what ways can I identify with the Israelite foremen's feeling of being overwhelmed and burdened, and how can I apply the principles of Exodus 5:16 to my own life?
- What does this verse teach me about the importance of seeking justice and relief from those in authority, and how can I apply this to my own relationships and interactions with others?
Gill's Exposition on Exodus 5:16
There is no straw given unto thy servants,.... As used to be, which they supposed Pharaoh knew nothing of, and by which it appears that the order given by Pharaoh, Exodus 5:6 was not given in the
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Exodus 5:16
And the taskmasters hasted them, saying, Fulfil your works, your daily tasks, as when there was straw. Taskmasters hasted ... officers ... beaten.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Exodus 5:16
i.e. The Egyptian task-masters, who, by sending us abroad to gather straw, hinder us from doing the work which they require; and so they are both unjust and unreasonable. They charge the task-masters, not the king, either in civility and duty, casting his fault upon the instruments; or because they did not know, or at best not believe, that this was the king’ s act. Others, Thy people, i.e. the Egyptians, make themselves guilty, and will bring the vengeance of God upon them for their cruelty.
Trapp's Commentary on Exodus 5:16
Exodus 5:16 There is no straw given unto thy servants, and they say to us, Make brick: and, behold, thy servants [are] beaten; but the fault [is] in thine own people.Ver. 16. But the fault is in thine own people.] Effugiunt corvi, vexat censura columbas. As a man is friended, so is his matter ended. And where the hedge is low, a man may lightly make large leaps. Or, as the Frenchman saith, Qui son chien vult tuer, la rage luy met sus, He that hath a mind to kill a dog, gives out that he is mad. It was fault enough in God’ s Israel, that they would not be miserable.
Ellicott's Commentary on Exodus 5:16
(16) The fault is in thine own people.—Heb., thy people is in fault. There can be no reasonable doubt that this clause is antithetical to the preceding one, and means that, though the Hebrews are punished, the people really in fault are the Egyptians.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Exodus 5:16
Verse 16. The fault is in thine own people.] חטאת chatath, the SIN, is in thy own people. 1st. Because they require impossibilities; and 2dly, because they punish us for not doing what cannot be performed.
Cambridge Bible on Exodus 5:16
16. they say] viz. the Egyptian ‘taskmasters.’ but the fault is in thine own people] The text cannot be right: not only is the Heb. ungrammatical, but the fault was not in the people, but in the king. It is better, adding one letter, to read with LXX. Pesh. Di. Bä. ‘and thou sinnest against thine own people,’ i.e. committest a wrong against thine own subjects, the Hebrews.
Whedon's Commentary on Exodus 5:16
15, 16. The Hebrew scribes come to Pharaoh and complain that they are beaten for not performing an impossible task.