Exodus 5:4 net — The king of Egypt said to them,“Moses and Aaron, why do you cause the people to refrain from their work? Return to your…

NET Bible

"The king of Egypt said to them,“Moses and Aaron, why do you cause the people to refrain from their work? Return to your labor!”"

— Exodus 5:4, NET Bible

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Exodus 5:4 in Other Translations

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Exodus 5 — Context

1

Opposition to the Plan of God Afterward Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and said,“This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, has said,‘Release my people so that they may hold a pilgrim feast to me in the wilderness.’”

2

But Pharaoh said,“Who is the LORD that I should obey him by releasing Israel? I do not know the LORD, and I will not release Israel!”

3

And they said,“The God of the Hebrews has met with us. Let us go a three-day journey into the wilderness so that we may sacrifice to the LORD our God, so that he does not strike us with plague or the sword.”

4

The king of Egypt said to them,“Moses and Aaron, why do you cause the people to refrain from their work? Return to your labor!”

5

Pharaoh was thinking,“The people of the land are now many, and you are giving them rest from their labor.”

6

That same day Pharaoh commanded the slave masters and foremen who were over the people:

7

“You must no longer give straw to the people for making bricks as before. Let them go and collect straw for themselves.

Exodus 5:4 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does Exodus 5:4 say?
Exodus 5:4 in the NET Bible reads: “The king of Egypt said to them,“Moses and Aaron, why do you cause the people to refrain from their work? Return to your labor!””
Where is Exodus 5:4 in the Bible?
Exodus 5:4 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of Exodus, chapter 5, verse 4.
Who wrote Exodus?
Exodus is traditionally attributed to Moses (traditional). It was written c. 1446–1406 BC.
What is the book of Exodus about?
Exodus tells of Israel's deliverance from slavery in Egypt and the giving of the Law at Mount Sinai. Through the plagues, the Passover, the crossing of the Red Sea, and the covenant at Sinai, God reveals himself as Redeemer and comes to dwell among his people in the tabernacle.
What are the major themes of Exodus?
Exodus explores themes including Deliverance, Covenant, Law, God's Presence, Worship, Redemption. These themes shape the meaning and context of Exodus 5:4.
What translation should I read Exodus 5:4 in?
Exodus 5:4 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize Exodus 5:4?
Exodus 5:4 reads (NET): “The king of Egypt said to them,“Moses and Aaron, why do you cause the people to refrain from their work? Return to your labor!”” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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