Albert Barnes Commentary Exodus 5
Albert Barnes Commentary
Exodus 5
Albert Barnes Commentary
Exodus 5
"And afterward Moses and Aaron came, and said unto Pharaoh, Thus saith Jehovah, the God of Israel, Let my people go, that they may hold a feast unto me in the wilderness." — Exodus 5:1 (ASV)
Pharaoh - This king, probably Tothmosis II, the great-grandson of Aahmes (Exodus 1:8), the original persecutor of the Israelites, must have been resident at this time in a city, probably Tanis (Exodus 2:5), of Lower Egypt, situated on the Nile.
The Lord God - Yahweh God of Israel demanded the services of His people. The demand, according to the general views of the pagans, was just and natural; the Israelites could not offer the necessary sacrifices in the presence of Egyptians.
"And Pharaoh said, Who is Jehovah, that I should hearken unto his voice to let Israel go? I know not Jehovah, and moreover I will not let Israel go." — Exodus 5:2 (ASV)
I know not the Lord - Either Pharaoh had not heard of Yahweh, or he did not recognize Him as a God.
"And they said, The God of the Hebrews hath met with us: let us go, we pray thee, three days` journey into the wilderness, and sacrifice unto Jehovah our God, lest he fall upon us with pestilence, or with the sword." — Exodus 5:3 (ASV)
Three days’ journey - See the (Exodus 3:18) note.
With pestilence, or with the sword - This shows that the plague was well known to the ancient Egyptians. The reference to the sword is equally natural, since the Israelites occupied the eastern district, which was frequently disturbed by the neighboring Shasous.
"And the king of Egypt said unto them, Wherefore do ye, Moses and Aaron, loose the people from their works? get you unto your burdens." — Exodus 5:4 (ASV)
Let - i.e., hinder.
"And the same day Pharaoh commanded the taskmasters of the people, and their officers, saying," — Exodus 5:6 (ASV)
Their officers - Or scribes. They were Hebrews able to keep accounts in writing, appointed by the Egyptian superintendents, and responsible to them for the work . Subordinate officers are frequently represented on Egyptian monuments, giving in written accounts to their immediate superiors.
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