Exodus 5:18
Exodus 5:18 in Multiple Translations
Now get to work. You will be given no straw, yet you must deliver the full quota of bricks.”
Go therefore now, and work; for there shall no straw be given you, yet shall ye deliver the tale of bricks.
Go therefore now, and work; for there shall no straw be given you, yet shall ye deliver the number of bricks.
Go now, get back to your work; no dry stems will be given to you, but you are to make the full number of bricks.
Now get out of here and go back to work! You won't be given any straw but you'll still have to produce the full quota of bricks!”
Goe therefore nowe and worke: for there shall no strawe be giuen you, yet shall yee deliuer the whole tale of bricke.
and now, go, serve; and straw is not given to you, and the measure of bricks ye do give.'
Go therefore now, and work; for no straw shall be given to you; yet you shall deliver the same number of bricks!”
Go therefore now, and work; for there shall no straw be given you, yet shall ye deliver the number of bricks.
Go therefore, and work: straw shall not be given you, and you shall deliver the accustomed number of bricks.
So go and get back to work! We are not going to give you any straw, but you must keep making the same number of bricks!”
Berean Amplified Bible — Exodus 5:18
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 5:18 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וְ/עַתָּה֙
לְכ֣וּ
עִבְד֔וּ
וְ/תֶ֖בֶן
לֹא
יִנָּתֵ֣ן
לָ/כֶ֑ם
וְ/תֹ֥כֶן
לְבֵנִ֖ים
תִּתֵּֽנּוּ
וְ/עַתָּה֙
ʻattâh
H6258
now
Conj | Adv
לְכ֣וּ
yâlak
H3212
to walk
V-Qal-Impv-2mp
עִבְד֔וּ
ʻâbad
H5647
to serve
V-Qal-Impv-2mp
וְ/תֶ֖בֶן
teben
H8401
straw
Conj | N-ms
לֹא
lôʼ
H3808
not
Part
יִנָּתֵ֣ן
nâthan
H5414
to give
V-Niphal-Imperf-3ms
לָ/כֶ֑ם
Prep | Suff
וְ/תֹ֥כֶן
tôken
H8506
quantity
Conj | N-ms
לְבֵנִ֖ים
lᵉbênâh
H3843
brick
N-fp
תִּתֵּֽנּוּ
nâthan
H5414
to give
V-Qal-Imperf-2mp
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Exodus 5:18
וְ/עַתָּה֙
ʻattâh
H6258
"now"
Conj | Adv
This word means now or at this time, like in Exodus when God says now is the time to act. It can also be used to connect ideas or show a change in time, as seen in the book of Isaiah.
Definition: 1) now 1a) now 1b) in phrases
Usage: Occurs in 422 OT verses. KJV: henceforth, now, straightway, this time, whereas. See also: Genesis 3:22; Joshua 24:23; 2 Samuel 24:13.
לְכ֣וּ
yâlak
H3212
"to walk"
V-Qal-Impv-2mp
To walk or go, this verb means to move from one place to another, used literally or figuratively, as in to live or die, or to lead someone.
Definition: 1) to go, walk, come 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go, walk, come, depart, proceed, move, go away 1a2) to die, live, manner of life (fig.) 1b) (Hiphil) to lead, bring, lead away, carry, cause to walk
Usage: Occurs in 936 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] again, away, bear, bring, carry (away), come (away), depart, flow, [phrase] follow(-ing), get (away, hence, him), (cause to, made) go (away, -ing, -ne, one's way, out), grow, lead (forth), let down, march, prosper, [phrase] pursue, cause to run, spread, take away (-journey), vanish, (cause to) walk(-ing), wax, [idiom] be weak. See also: Genesis 3:14; Exodus 5:8; Deuteronomy 28:14.
עִבְד֔וּ
ʻâbad
H5647
"to serve"
V-Qal-Impv-2mp
To serve or work is the meaning of this verb, which can also imply slavery or bondage, as seen in the story of the Israelites in Egypt. It is used to describe various types of work or service, including serving God or other people. The word has different forms and meanings in different contexts.
Definition: : serve[someone] 1) to work, serve 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to labour, work, do work 1a2) to work for another, serve another by labour 1a3) to serve as subjects 1a4) to serve (God) 1a5) to serve (with Levitical service) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be worked, be tilled (of land) 1b2) to make oneself a servant 1c) (Pual) to be worked 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to compel to labour or work, cause to labour, cause to serve 1d2) to cause to serve as subjects 1e) (Hophal) to be led or enticed to serve
Usage: Occurs in 262 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] be, keep in bondage, be bondmen, bond-service, compel, do, dress, ear, execute, [phrase] husbandman, keep, labour(-ing man, bring to pass, (cause to, make to) serve(-ing, self), (be, become) servant(-s), do (use) service, till(-er), transgress (from margin), (set a) work, be wrought, worshipper, See also: Genesis 2:5; Deuteronomy 28:14; Psalms 2:11.
וְ/תֶ֖בֶן
teben
H8401
"straw"
Conj | 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.
לֹא
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
יִנָּתֵ֣ן
nâthan
H5414
"to give"
V-Niphal-Imperf-3ms
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.
לָ/כֶ֑ם
""
Prep | Suff
וְ/תֹ֥כֶן
tôken
H8506
"quantity"
Conj | N-ms
Refers to a specific quantity or measurement, like a fixed amount of food or goods, as in Ezekiel 45. It is used to describe a defined or measured amount of something.
Definition: measurement, a measured amount
Usage: Occurs in 2 OT verses. KJV: measure, tale. See also: Exodus 5:18; Ezekiel 45:11.
לְבֵנִ֖ים
lᵉbênâh
H3843
"brick"
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.
תִּתֵּֽנּוּ
nâthan
H5414
"to give"
V-Qal-Imperf-2mp
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.
Study Notes — Exodus 5:18
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — The Cry of the Israelites
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.”
19The Israelite foremen realized they were in trouble when they were told, “You must not reduce your daily quota of bricks.” 20When they left Pharaoh, they confronted Moses and Aaron, who stood waiting to meet them.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ezekiel 18:18 | As for his father, he will die for his own iniquity, because he practiced extortion, robbed his brother, and did what was wrong among his people. |
| 2 | Daniel 2:9–13 | If you do not tell me the dream, there is only one decree for you. You have conspired to speak before me false and fraudulent words, hoping the situation will change. Therefore tell me the dream, and I will know that you can give me its interpretation.” The astrologers answered the king, “No one on earth can do what the king requests! No king, however great and powerful, has ever asked anything like this of any magician, enchanter, or astrologer. What the king requests is so difficult that no one can tell it to him except the gods, whose dwelling is not with mortals.” This response made the king so furious with anger that he gave orders to destroy all the wise men of Babylon. So the decree went out that the wise men were to be executed, and men went to look for Daniel and his friends to execute them. |
Exodus 5:18 Summary
In Exodus 5:18, Pharaoh is making it very difficult for the Israelites by not giving them the straw they need to make bricks, but still expecting them to meet their quota. This is a picture of how the world can be hostile to God's people, but we can trust God to provide for us, even in tough situations (as seen in Matthew 6:25-34 and Psalm 23:4). We can learn to trust God and seek His guidance, even when things seem impossible, and remember that He is our loving Father who cares for us (as stated in 1 Peter 5:7 and Romans 8:28). By trusting in God's sovereignty and provision, we can find strength and hope in the midst of challenges.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the context of Exodus 5:18 and why is Pharaoh being so harsh?
Pharaoh is being harsh because he believes the Israelites are slackers and are making excuses to stop working, as seen in Exodus 5:17, and he wants to maintain control over them, as mentioned in Exodus 1:9-14.
Why does Pharaoh refuse to give the Israelites straw to make bricks?
Pharaoh refuses to give the Israelites straw to make bricks because he wants to make their task even more difficult and burdensome, as stated in Exodus 5:18, similar to how the Egyptians treated the Israelites in Exodus 1:14.
How does this verse relate to the overall story of the Israelites' deliverance?
This verse shows the increasing oppression of the Israelites by the Egyptians, which ultimately leads to God's deliverance of His people, as promised in Exodus 3:7-10 and fulfilled in Exodus 14:13-31.
What can we learn from Pharaoh's attitude towards the Israelites?
We can learn that a hardened heart, like Pharaoh's, can lead to increased opposition to God's people and plans, as seen in Exodus 4:21 and Romans 9:17, and that God is sovereign over all, even in the midst of oppression, as stated in Psalm 105:25 and Isaiah 46:10.
Reflection Questions
- How do I respond when faced with impossible tasks or unfair expectations, and what can I learn from the Israelites' situation?
- In what ways can I trust God to provide for me, even when it seems like the resources are not available, like the Israelites' lack of straw?
- How can I balance the need to work hard and be responsible with the need to trust God for my daily provision, as seen in Matthew 6:25-34 and 2 Thessalonians 3:10-12?
- What are some areas in my life where I feel like I'm being asked to 'make bricks without straw', and how can I seek God's guidance and strength in those situations?
Gill's Exposition on Exodus 5:18
Go therefore now, and work,.... Go about your business, attend to your work, even you officers, as well as your people; work yourselves, as well as see that your people do theirs, and do not trouble
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Exodus 5:18
And the taskmasters hasted them, saying, Fulfil your works, your daily tasks, as when there was straw. Taskmasters hasted ... officers ... beaten.
Trapp's Commentary on Exodus 5:18
Exodus 5:18 Go therefore now, [and] work; for there shall no straw be given you, yet shall ye deliver the tale of bricks.Ver. 18. Yet shall ye deliver the tale of bricks.] Or be miserably beaten, if but one be missing. The Spaniards, besides other intolerable burdens and bondages that they lay upon the poor Indians, suppose they show the wretches great favour when they do not, for their pleasure, whip them with cords, and day by day drop their naked bodies with burning bacon. Regimen without righteousness turns into tyranny. Sir Francis Drake’ s World Encompas., p. 53.
Cambridge Bible on Exodus 5:18
15–19. The officers of the Israelites expostulate with the Pharaoh, but to no effect. Cf. Erman, 177 (a complaint of the absence of straw).