John Gill Commentary Exodus 5:9

"Let heavier work be laid upon the men, that they may labor therein; and let them not regard lying words." — Exodus 5:9 (ASV)

Let there more work be laid upon the men
Instead of lessening it, let it be increased, or "be heavy" ^F11 upon them, that it may oppress and afflict them and keep them down, and weaken their strength and their spirits, and diminish them:

that they may labour therein ;
and have no leisure time to spend in idleness and sloth:

and let them not regard vain words ;
or "words of falsehood" ^F12 and lies, such as were spoken by Moses and Aaron, promising them liberty and deliverance from their bondage, which he was determined never to grant, and so eventually make such words to appear to be vain and empty, falsehood and lies.

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FOOTNOTES:

• F11: (dbkt) "aggravetur", Pagninus, Montanus
• F12: (yrbdb) "in verbis mendacii", Pagninus, Montanus, Vatablus. "Verbis falsis", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator.