Exodus 5:8
New International Version
But require them to make the same number of bricks as before; don’t reduce the quota. They are lazy; that is why they are crying out, ‘Let us go and sacrifice to our God.’

New Living Translation
But still require them to make the same number of bricks as before. Don’t reduce the quota. They are lazy. That’s why they are crying out, ‘Let us go and offer sacrifices to our God.’

English Standard Version
But the number of bricks that they made in the past you shall impose on them, you shall by no means reduce it, for they are idle. Therefore they cry, ‘Let us go and offer sacrifice to our God.’

Berean Standard Bible
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.’

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
And you shall lay on them the quota of bricks which they made before. You shall not reduce it. For they are idle; therefore they cry out, saying, ‘Let us go and sacrifice to our God.’

New American Standard Bible
But you shall impose on them the quota of bricks which they were making before; you are not to reduce any of it. Because they are lazy, for that reason they cry out, ‘Let us go and sacrifice to our God.’

NASB 1995
“But the quota of bricks which they were making previously, you shall impose on them; you are not to reduce any of it. Because they are lazy, therefore they cry out, ‘Let us go and sacrifice to our God.’

NASB 1977
“But the quota of bricks which they were making previously, you shall impose on them; you are not to reduce any of it. Because they are lazy, therefore they cry out, ‘Let us go and sacrifice to our God.’

Legacy Standard Bible
But the quota of bricks which they were making previously, you shall set upon them; you are not to reduce any of it. Because they are lazy, therefore they are crying out, ‘Let us go and sacrifice to our God.’

Amplified Bible
But the number of bricks which they were making before, you shall [still] require of them; you are not to reduce it in the least. For they are idle and lazy; that is why they cry, ‘Let us go and sacrifice to our God.’

Christian Standard Bible
But require the same quota of bricks from them as they were making before; do not reduce it. For they are slackers—that is why they are crying out, ‘Let us go and sacrifice to our God.’

Holman Christian Standard Bible
But require the same quota of bricks from them as they were making before; do not reduce it. For they are slackers—that is why they are crying out, ‘Let us go and sacrifice to our God.’

American Standard Version
And the number of the bricks, which they did make heretofore, ye shall lay upon them; ye shall not diminish aught thereof: for they are idle; therefore they cry, saying, Let us go and sacrifice to our God.

Contemporary English Version
but they must make the same number of bricks as before. They are lazy, or else they would not beg me to let them go and sacrifice to their God.

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

GOD'S WORD® Translation
but insist that they make the same number of bricks they were making before. Making fewer bricks will not be acceptable. They're lazy! That's why they're crying, 'Let us go offer sacrifices to our God.'

Good News Translation
But still require them to make the same number of bricks as before, not one brick less. They don't have enough work to do, and that is why they keep asking me to let them go and offer sacrifices to their God!

International Standard Version
But you're to impose the previous quota of bricks that they're making. You're not to reduce it! It is because they're lazy that they're crying out, 'Let's go offer sacrifices to our God.'

Majority Standard Bible
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.’

NET Bible
But you must require of them the same quota of bricks that they were making before. Do not reduce it, for they are slackers. That is why they are crying, 'Let us go sacrifice to our God.'

New Heart English Bible
The number of the bricks, which they made before, you require from them. You shall not diminish anything of it, for they are idle; therefore they cry, saying, 'Let us go and sacrifice to our God.'

Webster's Bible Translation
And the number of the bricks which they made heretofore, ye shall lay upon them; ye shall not diminish aught thereof; for they are idle: therefore they cry, saying, Let us go and sacrifice to our God.

World English Bible
You shall require from them the number of the bricks which they made before. You shall not diminish anything of it, for they are idle. Therefore they cry, saying, ‘Let’s go and sacrifice to our God.’
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and you put on them the proper quantity of the bricks which they are making before, you do not diminish from it, for they are remiss, therefore they are crying, saying, Let us go, let us sacrifice to our God;

Young's Literal Translation
and the proper quantity of the bricks which they are making heretofore ye do put on them, ye do not diminish from it, for they are remiss, therefore they are crying, saying, Let us go, let us sacrifice to our God;

Smith's Literal Translation
And the measure of bricks which they made yesterday and the third day, ye shall put upon them; ye shall not take away from it, for they are slack; for this they cried, saying, We will go to sacrifice to our God.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And you shall lay upon them the task of bricks, which they did before, neither shall you diminish any thing thereof: for they are idle, and therefore they cry, saying: Let us go and sacrifice to our God.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And you shall impose upon them the same quota of bricks that they made before. Neither will you lessen anything, for they are idle, and therefore they cry out, saying: ‘We shall go and sacrifice to our God.’

New American Bible
Yet you shall levy upon them the same quota of bricks as they made previously. Do not reduce it. They are lazy; that is why they are crying, ‘Let us go to offer sacrifice to our God.’

New Revised Standard Version
But you shall require of them the same quantity of bricks as they have made previously; do not diminish it, for they are lazy; that is why they cry, ‘Let us go and offer sacrifice to our God.’
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
But the number of bricks which they did make heretofore, you shall lay upon them; you shall not reduce the number thereof; for they are idle; that is why they cry, saying, Let us go and sacrifice to our God.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the number of the bricks that they were making as it was fulfilled, even so it is to be fulfilled; you will put it upon them, and you will not reduce them, because they are idle; because of this they complain and they are saying, ‘Let us go, we will sacrifice to our God.’
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And the tale of the bricks, which they did make heretofore, ye shall lay upon them; ye shall not diminish aught thereof; for they are idle; therefore they cry, saying: Let us go and sacrifice to our God.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And thou shalt impose on them daily the rate of brick-making which they perform: thou shalt not abate anything, for they are idle; therefore have they cried, saying, Let us arise and do sacrifice to our God.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Bricks and Straw
7“You shall no longer supply the people with straw for making bricks. They must go and gather their own straw. 8 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.’ 9Make the work harder on the men so they will be occupied and pay no attention to these lies.”…

Cross References
Exodus 1:11-14
So the Egyptians appointed taskmasters over the Israelites to oppress them with forced labor. As a result, they built Pithom and Rameses as store cities for Pharaoh. / But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and flourished; so the Egyptians came to dread the Israelites. / They worked the Israelites ruthlessly ...

Exodus 3:7-9
The LORD said, “I have indeed seen the affliction of My people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their oppressors, and I am aware of their sufferings. / I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land to a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey—the home of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites. / And now the cry of the Israelites has reached Me, and I have seen how severely the Egyptians are oppressing them.

Exodus 6:6-9
Therefore tell the Israelites: ‘I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians and deliver you from their bondage. I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment. / I will take you as My own people, and I will be your God. Then you will know that I am the LORD your God, who brought you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. / And I will bring you into the land that I swore to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. I will give it to you as a possession. I am the LORD!’” ...

Exodus 7:14-16
Then the LORD said to Moses, “Pharaoh’s heart is unyielding; he refuses to let the people go. / Go to Pharaoh in the morning as you see him walking out to the water. Wait on the bank of the Nile to meet him, and take in your hand the staff that was changed into a snake. / Then say to him, ‘The LORD, the God of the Hebrews, has sent me to tell you: Let My people go, so that they may worship Me in the wilderness. But until now you have not listened.

Exodus 8:1-2
Then the LORD said to Moses, “Go to Pharaoh and tell him that this is what the LORD says: ‘Let My people go, so that they may worship Me. / But if you refuse to let them go, I will plague your whole country with frogs.

Exodus 9:1-2
Then the LORD said to Moses, “Go to Pharaoh and tell him that this is what the LORD, the God of the Hebrews, says: ‘Let My people go, so that they may worship Me. / But if you continue to restrain them and refuse to let them go,

Exodus 10:3-4
So Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and told him, “This is what the LORD, the God of the Hebrews, says: ‘How long will you refuse to humble yourself before Me? Let My people go, so that they may worship Me. / But if you refuse to let My people go, I will bring locusts into your territory tomorrow.

Exodus 11:1
Then the LORD said to Moses, “I will bring upon Pharaoh and Egypt one more plague. After that, he will allow you to leave this place. And when he lets you go, he will drive you out completely.

Exodus 12:31-33
Then Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron by night and said, “Get up, leave my people, both you and the Israelites! Go, worship the LORD as you have requested. / Take your flocks and herds as well, just as you have said, and depart! And bless me also.” / And in order to send them out of the land quickly, the Egyptians urged the people on. “For otherwise,” they said, “we are all going to die!”

Exodus 14:5-9
When the king of Egypt was told that the people had fled, Pharaoh and his officials changed their minds about them and said, “What have we done? We have released Israel from serving us.” / So Pharaoh prepared his chariot and took his army with him. / He took 600 of the best chariots, and all the other chariots of Egypt, with officers over all of them. ...

Leviticus 25:43
You are not to rule over them harshly, but you shall fear your God.

Deuteronomy 26:6-8
But the Egyptians mistreated us and afflicted us, putting us to hard labor. / So we called out to the LORD, the God of our fathers; and the LORD heard our voice and saw our affliction, toil, and oppression. / Then the LORD brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, with great terror, signs, and wonders.

Nehemiah 9:9-10
You saw the affliction of our fathers in Egypt; You heard their cry at the Red Sea. / You performed signs and wonders against Pharaoh, all his officials, and all the people of his land, for You knew they had acted with arrogance against our fathers. You made a name for Yourself that endures to this day.

Psalm 81:6-7
“I relieved his shoulder of the burden; his hands were freed from the basket. / You called out in distress, and I rescued you; I answered you from the cloud of thunder; I tested you at the waters of Meribah. Selah

Isaiah 14:3-4
On the day that the LORD gives you rest from your pain and torment, and from the hard labor into which you were forced, / you will sing this song of contempt against the king of Babylon: How the oppressor has ceased, and how his fury has ended!


Treasury of Scripture

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

tale.

ye shall lay.

Psalm 106:41
And he gave them into the hand of the heathen; and they that hated them ruled over them.

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Aught Bricks Cry Diminish Heretofore Idle Impose Lay Making Means Ought Previously Quota Reduce Require Sacrifice Tale Thereof
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Aught Bricks Cry Diminish Heretofore Idle Impose Lay Making Means Ought Previously Quota Reduce Require Sacrifice Tale Thereof
Exodus 5
1. Pharaoh chides Moses and Aaron for their message.
6. He increases the Israelites' task.
16. He ignores their complaints.
19. They cry out to Moses and Aaron.
22. Moses complains to God.














But require of them
This phrase indicates a command from Pharaoh to the taskmasters. The Hebrew root word for "require" is "שָׂם" (sam), which means to set, place, or appoint. This reflects Pharaoh's authoritative and oppressive stance, as he sets an unyielding expectation upon the Israelites. Historically, this command underscores the harsh conditions of slavery in Egypt, where the Israelites were subjected to relentless demands without consideration for their well-being.

the same quota of bricks
The term "quota" refers to a fixed number or amount. In Hebrew, "דָּבָר" (dabar) can mean word, matter, or thing, emphasizing the unchanging nature of the demand. Bricks were a fundamental part of Egyptian construction, and the Israelites' labor was crucial to Pharaoh's building projects. This phrase highlights the unrelenting pressure on the Israelites to maintain productivity despite increased hardship, symbolizing the burdens of bondage.

as before
This phrase indicates continuity and the expectation of maintaining previous standards. The Hebrew "תְּמוֹל שִׁלְשֹׁם" (temol shilshom) means "yesterday and the day before," suggesting a historical consistency in the demands placed upon the Israelites. It reflects the unchanging nature of their oppression and the lack of mercy from their Egyptian overlords.

do not reduce it
The command "do not reduce" comes from the Hebrew "גָּרַע" (gara), meaning to diminish or lessen. Pharaoh's insistence on maintaining the workload despite the Israelites' plea for relief illustrates his hardened heart and the systemic injustice faced by the Israelites. This phrase serves as a reminder of the unyielding nature of sin and oppression in a fallen world.

For they are lazy
Pharaoh's accusation of laziness, from the Hebrew "רָפָה" (raphah), meaning slack or weak, is a false narrative used to justify increased oppression. This reflects a common tactic of oppressors to dehumanize and blame the victim for their suffering. It highlights the spiritual blindness and moral corruption of those who wield power unjustly.

that is why they are crying out
The phrase "crying out" is derived from the Hebrew "צָעַק" (tsa'aq), meaning to cry out or call for help. This reflects the Israelites' desperate plea for deliverance and their recognition of their need for divine intervention. It underscores the biblical theme of God hearing the cries of the oppressed and responding with justice and deliverance.

‘Let us go and sacrifice to our God.’
This request to "sacrifice to our God" is central to the Israelites' identity and worship. The Hebrew "זָבַח" (zabach) means to offer a sacrifice, which is an act of worship and obedience to God. This phrase highlights the Israelites' desire to fulfill their covenantal obligations and worship Yahweh, contrasting their spiritual priorities with Pharaoh's materialistic and oppressive agenda. It serves as a reminder of the importance of worship and obedience to God, even in the face of adversity.

Verse 8. - The tale of the bricks - i.e., the number of the bricks. Exactly as many were to be required of each batch of workmen under the new regulation as previously. The demand was one with which, as the king well know, it would be impossible to comply. For they be idle. There was so much ground for the charge as this - that hitherto, their forced labours had not occupied the whole of their time. They had been able, apparently, to cultivate their own plots of ground (Deuteronomy 11:10), to raise crops of cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, and garlic (Numbers 11:5), to catch fish (ibid.), and attend public meetings (Exodus 4:30, 31). They had, in fact, had time which they could call their own. Now this was to be so no more. The Pharaoh, however, misrepresents and exaggerates, speaking as if their forced labours had been a mere nothing, and mere want of occupation had led them to raise the cry - "Let us go and sacrifice." It would have been far nearer the truth to say, that the severity and continuousness of their labours had made the notion of festival time, during which they would cease from their toils, generally popular.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
But require
תָּשִׂ֣ימוּ (tā·śî·mū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 7760: Put -- to put, place, set

of them
עֲלֵיהֶ֔ם (‘ă·lê·hem)
Preposition | third person masculine plural
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

the same quota
מַתְכֹּ֨נֶת (maṯ·kō·neṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 4971: Measurement, tally, proportion

of bricks
הַלְּבֵנִ֜ים (hal·lə·ḇê·nîm)
Article | Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 3843: Brick, tile

as
הֵם֩ (hêm)
Pronoun - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1992: They

before;
תְּמ֤וֹל (tə·mō·wl)
Adverb
Strong's 8543: Ago, a, time since, yesterday, day before yesterday

do not
לֹ֥א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

reduce it.
תִגְרְע֖וּ (ṯiḡ·rə·‘ū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 1639: To scrape off, to shave, remove, lessen, withhold

For
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

they
הֵ֔ם (hêm)
Pronoun - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1992: They

are lazy;
נִרְפִּ֣ים (nir·pîm)
Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 7503: Sink, relax

that is why
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

they
הֵ֤ם (hêm)
Pronoun - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1992: They

are crying out,
צֹֽעֲקִים֙ (ṣō·‘ă·qîm)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 6817: To shriek, to proclaim

‘Let us go
נֵלְכָ֖ה (nê·lə·ḵāh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect Cohortative - first person common plural
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk

and sacrifice
נִזְבְּחָ֥ה (niz·bə·ḥāh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect Cohortative - first person common plural
Strong's 2076: To slaughter for sacrifice

to our God.’
לֵאלֹהֵֽינוּ׃ (lê·lō·hê·nū)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative


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OT Law: Exodus 5:8 The number of the bricks which they (Exo. Ex)
Exodus 5:7
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