King James Version

What Does Exodus 5:2 Mean?

Exodus 5:2 in the King James Version says “And Pharaoh said, Who is the LORD, that I should obey his voice to let Israel go? I know not the LORD, neither will I le... — study this verse from Exodus chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And Pharaoh said, Who is the LORD, that I should obey his voice to let Israel go? I know not the LORD, neither will I let Israel go.

Exodus 5:2 · KJV


Context

1

And afterward Moses and Aaron went in, and told Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Let my people go, that they may hold a feast unto me in the wilderness.

2

And Pharaoh said, Who is the LORD, that I should obey his voice to let Israel go? I know not the LORD, neither will I let Israel go.

3

And they said, The God of the Hebrews hath met with us: let us go, we pray thee, three days' journey into the desert, and sacrifice unto the LORD our God; lest he fall upon us with pestilence, or with the sword.

4

And the king of Egypt said unto them, Wherefore do ye, Moses and Aaron, let the people from their works? get you unto your burdens.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Pharaoh's response 'Who is the LORD (יְהוָה) that I should obey his voice?' reveals the central conflict: will Egypt's god-king submit to Israel's God? His claim 'I know not the LORD' demonstrates willful ignorance—the plagues will answer this question definitively. This rejection initiates the progressive revelation of God's power.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Egyptian pharaohs claimed divine status as incarnations of Horus and sons of Ra. Pharaoh's question reflects the Egyptian worldview where national gods competed for supremacy. His refusal anticipates the theological confrontation between YHWH and Egypt's pantheon.

Reflection Questions

  1. What modern 'gods' compete with YHWH for allegiance in your culture?
  2. How does Pharaoh's willful ignorance mirror contemporary rejections of God's authority?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר1 of 19

said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

פַּרְעֹ֔ה2 of 19

And Pharaoh

H6547

paroh, a general title of egyptian kings

מִ֤י3 of 19
H4310

who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix

יְהוָ֔ה4 of 19

Who is the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֲשֶׁ֣ר5 of 19
H834

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

אֶשְׁמַ֣ע6 of 19

that I should obey

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

בְּקֹל֔וֹ7 of 19

his voice

H6963

a voice or sound

אֲשַׁלֵּֽחַ׃8 of 19

go

H7971

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

אֶת9 of 19
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל10 of 19

neither will I let Israel

H3478

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

לֹ֤א11 of 19
H3808

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

יָדַ֙עְתִּי֙12 of 19

I know

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

אֶת13 of 19
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

יְהוָ֔ה14 of 19

Who is the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

וְגַ֥ם15 of 19
H1571

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

אֶת16 of 19
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל17 of 19

neither will I let Israel

H3478

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

לֹ֥א18 of 19
H3808

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

אֲשַׁלֵּֽחַ׃19 of 19

go

H7971

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)


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 5:2 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 5:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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