King James Version
What Does Exodus 5:15 Mean?
“Then the officers of the children of Israel came and cried unto Pharaoh, saying, Wherefore dealest thou thus with thy servants?”
Context
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.
17
But he said, Ye are idle, ye are idle: therefore ye say, Let us go and do sacrifice to the LORD.
Commentary
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers(15) **The officers . . . came and cried unto Pharaoh.**—The Egyptian monarchs were accessible to all. It was a part of their duty to hear complaints personally; and they, for the most part, devoted to this employment the earlier hours of each day (see Herod. ii. 173;. Those who came to them generally *cried* to them for justice, as is the Oriental wont.
Charles John Ellicott (1819–1905). Public Domain.
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 5:15 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.