King James Version

What Does Exodus 5:14 Mean?

Exodus 5:14 in the King James Version says “And the officers of the children of Israel, which Pharaoh's taskmasters had set over them, were beaten, and demanded, Wh... — study this verse from Exodus chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And the officers of the children of Israel, which Pharaoh's taskmasters had set over them, were beaten, and demanded, Wherefore have ye not fulfilled your task in making brick both yesterday and to day, as heretofore ?

Exodus 5:14 · KJV


Context

12

So the people were scattered abroad throughout all the land of Egypt to gather stubble instead of straw.

13

And the taskmasters hasted them, saying, Fulfil your works, your daily tasks, as when there was straw. your daily: Heb. a matter of a day in his day

14

And the officers of the children of Israel, which Pharaoh's taskmasters had set over them, were beaten, and demanded, Wherefore have ye not fulfilled your task in making brick both yesterday and to day, as heretofore ?

15

Then the officers of the children of Israel came and cried unto Pharaoh, saying, Wherefore dealest thou thus with thy servants?

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.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Verse 14 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.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Archaeological evidence confirms ancient Egyptian brick-making used straw as binding material. The escalating oppression in verses 6-14 follows documented patterns of ancient slave economies.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do impossible expectations create false guilt in modern systems?
  2. What does this passage teach about systemic injustice?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
וַיֻּכּ֗וּ1 of 21

over them were beaten

H5221

to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)

שֹֽׁטְרֵי֙2 of 21

And the officers

H7860

properly, a scribe, i.e., (by analogy or implication) an official superintendent or magistrate

בְּנֵ֣י3 of 21

of the children

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל4 of 21

of Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

אֲשֶׁר5 of 21
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

שָׂ֣מוּ6 of 21

had set

H7760

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

עֲלֵהֶ֔ם7 of 21
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

נֹֽגְשֵׂ֥י8 of 21

taskmasters

H5065

to drive (an animal, a workman, a debtor, an army); by implication, to tax, harass, tyrannize

פַרְעֹ֖ה9 of 21

which Pharaoh's

H6547

paroh, a general title of egyptian kings

לֵאמֹ֑ר10 of 21

and demanded

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

מַדּ֡וּעַ11 of 21
H4069

what (is) known?; i.e., (by implication) (adverbially) why?

לֹא֩12 of 21
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

כִלִּיתֶ֨ם13 of 21

Wherefore have ye not fulfilled

H3615

to end, whether intransitive (to cease, be finished, perish) or transitive (to complete, prepare, consume)

חָקְכֶ֤ם14 of 21

your task

H2706

an enactment; hence, an appointment (of time, space, quantity, labor or usage)

לִלְבֹּן֙15 of 21

in making brick

H3835

to make bricks

תְּמ֖וֹל16 of 21

both yesterday

H8543

properly, ago, i.e., a (short or long) time since; especially yesterday, or day before yesterday

שִׁלְשֹׁ֔ם17 of 21

as heretofore

H8032

trebly, i.e., (in time) day before yesterday

גַּם18 of 21
H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

תְּמ֖וֹל19 of 21

both yesterday

H8543

properly, ago, i.e., a (short or long) time since; especially yesterday, or day before yesterday

גַּם20 of 21
H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

הַיּֽוֹם׃21 of 21

and to day

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Exodus. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Exodus 5:14 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Exodus 5:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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