What is the context of Exodus 5:8?

Exodus 5:8 is part of Exodus chapter 5, which contains 23 verses. This verse has 1 cross-references to other scriptures, showing its connections throughout the Bible.

King James Version

What Does Exodus 5:8 Mean?

Q: What does Exodus 5:8 mean?

Exodus 5:8 says: "And the tale of the bricks, which they did make heretofore , ye shall lay upon them; ye shall not diminish ought thereof: for they be idle; therefore ..." Verse 8 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.

Exodus 5:8 in the King James Version says “And the tale of the bricks, which they did make heretofore , ye shall lay upon them; ye shall not diminish ought thereof...” — study this verse from Exodus chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And the tale of the bricks, which they did make heretofore , ye shall lay upon them; ye shall not diminish ought thereof: for they be idle; therefore they cry, saying, Let us go and sacrifice to our God.”

Exodus 5:8 · KJV

Context

And Pharaoh commanded the same day the taskmasters of the people, and their officers, saying,

Ye shall no more give the people straw to make brick, as heretofore : let them go and gather straw for themselves.

And the tale of the bricks, which they did make heretofore , ye shall lay upon them; ye shall not diminish ought thereof: for they be idle; therefore they cry, saying, Let us go and sacrifice to our God.

Let there more work be laid upon the men, that they may labour therein; and let them not regard vain words. Let there: Heb. Let the work be heavy upon the men

And the taskmasters of the people went out, and their officers, and they spake to the people, saying, Thus saith Pharaoh, I will not give you straw.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary

Verse 8 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 6-8 follows documented patterns of ancient slave economies.

Reflection Questions

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

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 24 words

וְאֶת1 of 24

H853

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

מַתְכֹּ֨נֶת2 of 24

“And the tale”

H4971

proportion (in size, number or ingredients)

הַלְּבֵנִ֜ים3 of 24

“of the bricks”

H3843

a brick (from the whiteness of the clay)

אֲשֶׁ֣ר4 of 24

H834

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

הֵם֩5 of 24

H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

עֹשִׂ֨ים6 of 24

“which they did make”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

תְּמ֤וֹל7 of 24

H8543

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

שִׁלְשֹׁם֙8 of 24

“heretofore”

H8032

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

תָּשִׂ֣ימוּ9 of 24

“ye shall lay”

H7760

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

עֲלֵיהֶ֔ם10 of 24

H5921

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

לֹ֥א11 of 24

H3808

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

תִגְרְע֖וּ12 of 24

“upon them ye shall not diminish”

H1639

to scrape off; by implication, to shave, remove, lessen, withhold

מִמֶּ֑נּוּ13 of 24

H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

כִּֽי14 of 24

H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

נִרְפִּ֣ים15 of 24

“ought thereof for they be idle”

H7503

to slacken (in many applications, literal or figurative)

הֵ֔ם16 of 24

H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

עַל17 of 24

H5921

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

כֵּ֗ן18 of 24

H3651

properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner

הֵ֤ם19 of 24

H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

צֹֽעֲקִים֙20 of 24

“therefore they cry”

H6817

to shriek; (by implication) to proclaim (an assembly)

לֵאמֹ֔ר21 of 24

“saying”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

נֵֽלְכָ֖ה22 of 24

H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

נִזְבְּחָ֥ה23 of 24

“and sacrifice”

H2076

to slaughter an animal (usually in sacrifice)

לֵֽאלֹהֵֽינוּ׃24 of 24

“to our God”

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

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 5:8 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 5:8 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 106:41

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