Translations
Modern
But require of them the same quota of bricks as before; do not reduce it. For they are lazy; that is why they are crying out, ‘Let us go and sacrifice to our God.’
Traditional
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.
Literal
And the quota of bricks that they were making yesterday and the day before yesterday you shall set on them. You shall not diminish from it, for they are idle. Upon thus, they cry out, saying, ‘Let us go, let us sacrifice to our God.’
Latin
Et mensuram laterum, quam prius faciebant, imponetis super eos, nec minuetis quidquam: vacant enim, et idcirco vociferantur, dicentes: Eamus, et sacrificemus Deo nostro.
Original
Hebrew
English
But require of them the same quota of bricks as before; do not reduce it. For they are lazy; that is why they are crying out, ‘Let us go and sacrifice to our God.’
Notes
Pharaoh not only rejected the request of Moses to release the Hebrew slaves, he also retaliated by making their work harder. The arrival of the rescuer had actually made the situation worse.
In this section, the Lord promised to rescue the Israelites. He said that he would bring them out of slavery.
At first, the people responded in a positive way. They believed what God said. However, later they faced a crisis of faith. They began to doubt God’s promise and struggled to trust him.
Theme notes and profiles
Glossary
Aaron Book of Exodus Brick, Brick Kiln Deuteronomy, Book of Taskmaster
Topics
Art: Primitive of the Brickmaker Arts of The: Brick-Maker Brick: Made by Israelites Cruelty: Egyptians to the Israelites Egypt: Israel in Pharaoh Increases Their Affliction Servant: Israelites