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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Exodus 5:16 No straw has been given to your servants, yet we are told, 'Make bricks!' Look, your servants are being beaten, but the fault is with your own people."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/exodus/5-16.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/12/02_Exo_05_16.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Exodus 5:16 - The Cry of the Israelites" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="No straw has been given to your servants, yet we are told, 'Make bricks!' 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Your own people are to blame!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/exodus/5.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />No straw is given to your servants, yet they say to us, ‘Make bricks!’ And behold, your servants are beaten; but the fault is in your own people.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/exodus/5.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />No straw has been given to your servants, yet we are told, ‘Make bricks!’ Look, your servants are being beaten, but the fault is with your own people.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/exodus/5.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />There is no straw given unto thy servants, and they say to us, Make brick: and, behold, thy servants <i>are</i> beaten; but the fault <i>is</i> in thine own people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/exodus/5.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />There is no straw given to your servants, and they say to us, ‘Make brick!’ And indeed your servants <i>are</i> beaten, but the fault <i>is</i> in your <i>own</i> people.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/exodus/5.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />There is no straw given to your servants, yet they keep saying to us, ‘Make bricks!’ And behold, your servants are being beaten; but it is the fault of your <i>own</i> people.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/exodus/5.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220There is no straw given to your servants, yet they keep saying to us, &#8216Make bricks!&#8217 And behold, your servants are being beaten; but it is the fault of your own people.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/exodus/5.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“There is no straw given to your servants, yet they keep saying to us, ‘Make bricks!’ And behold, your servants are being beaten; but it is the fault of your <i>own</i> people.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/exodus/5.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />There is no straw given to your slaves, yet they keep saying to us, ‘Make bricks!’ And behold, your slaves are being beaten; but it is the sin of your <i>own</i> people.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/exodus/5.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />No straw is given to your servants, yet they say to us, ‘Make bricks!’ And look, your servants are being beaten, but it is the fault of your own people.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/exodus/5.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />No straw has been given to your servants, yet they say to us, ‘Make bricks! ’ Look, your servants are being beaten, but it is your own people who are at fault.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/exodus/5.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />No straw has been given to your servants, yet they say to us, &#8216Make bricks!&#8217 Look, your servants are being beaten, but it is your own people who are at fault.&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/exodus/5.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />There is no straw given unto thy servants, and they say to us, Make brick: and, behold, thy servants are beaten; but the fault it in thine own people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/exodus/5.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />No one brings us any straw, but we are still ordered to make the same number of bricks. We are beaten with whips, and your own people are to blame." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/exodus/5.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />There is no straw given unto thy servants, and they say to us, Make brick: and, behold, thy servants are beaten; but the fault is in thine own people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/exodus/5.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />We're given no straw, and yet we're told to make bricks. We're being beaten, but your men are at fault."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/exodus/5.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />We are given no straw, but we are still ordered to make bricks! And now we are being beaten. It is your people that are at fault." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/exodus/5.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />No straw is being given to us, yet they're saying to us, 'Make bricks!' Look, we are being beaten. It's wrong how you are treating your people!"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/exodus/5.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />No straw has been given to your servants, yet we are told, ?Make bricks!? Look, your servants are being beaten, but the fault is with your own people.?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/exodus/5.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />No straw is given to your servants, but we are told, 'Make bricks!' Your servants are even being beaten, but the fault is with your people." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/exodus/5.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />No straw is given to your servants, and they tell us, 'Make brick.' and look, your servants are beaten; but the fault is in your own people."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/exodus/5.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />There is no straw given to thy servants, and they say to us, Make brick: and behold, thy servants are beaten; but the fault is in thy own people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/exodus/5.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />No straw is given to your servants, and they tell us, ‘Make brick!’ and behold, your servants are beaten; but the fault is in your own people.” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/exodus/5.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Straw is not given to your servants, and they are saying to us, Make bricks, and behold, your servants are struck—and your people have sinned.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/exodus/5.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Straw is not given to thy servants, and they are saying to us, Make bricks, and lo, thy servants are smitten -- and thy people hath sinned.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/exodus/5.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Straw was not given to thy servants, and they said to us, Make bricks: and behold, thy servants were beaten; and the sin, thy people.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/exodus/5.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Straw is not given us, and bricks are required of us as before: behold we thy servants are beaten with whips, and thy people is unjustly dealt withal. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/exodus/5.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Straw is not given to us, and yet the same amount of bricks is commanded. So we, your servants, are cut up by scourging, and injustice is done against your people.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/exodus/5.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />No straw is supplied to your servants, and still we are told, ‘Make bricks!’ Look how your servants are beaten! It is you who are at fault.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/exodus/5.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />No straw is given to your servants, yet they say to us, ‘Make bricks!’ Look how your servants are beaten! You are unjust to your own people.”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/exodus/5.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />There is no straw given to your servants, and yet they say to us, Make bricks: and, behold, your servants are beaten; and you sin against your people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/exodus/5.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Straw is not given to your Servants, and they were saying to us, ‘Cast bricks’, and behold, your Servants are beaten and you sin against your people.”<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/exodus/5.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />There is no straw given unto thy servants, and they say to us: Make brick; and, behold, thy servants are beaten, but the fault is in thine own people.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/exodus/5.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Straw is not given to thy servants, and they tell us to make brick; and behold thy servants have been scourged: thou wilt therefore injure thy people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/exodus/5-16.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kVae3PiKqhs?start=1071" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/exodus/5.htm">The Cry of the Israelites</a></span><br><span class="reftext">15</span>So the Israelite foremen went and appealed to Pharaoh: “Why are you treating your servants this way? <span class="reftext">16</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/369.htm" title="369: ’ên (Adv) -- As if from a primitive root meaning to be nothing or not exist; a non-entity; generally used as a negative particle.">No</a> <a href="/hebrew/8401.htm" title="8401: te·ḇen (N-ms) -- Straw. Probably from banah; properly, material, i.e. refuse haum or stalks of grain.">straw</a> <a href="/hebrew/5414.htm" title="5414: nit·tān (V-Nifal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To give, put, set. A primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application.">has been given</a> <a href="/hebrew/5650.htm" title="5650: la·‘ă·ḇā·ḏe·ḵā (Prep-l:: N-mpc:: 2ms) -- Slave, servant. From abad; a servant.">to your servants,</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: ’ō·mə·rîm (V-Qal-Prtcpl-mp) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">yet we are told,</a> <a href="/hebrew/lā·nū (Prep:: 1cp) -- "></a> <a href="/hebrew/6213.htm" title="6213: ‘ă·śū (V-Qal-Imp-mp) -- To do, make. A primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application.">‘Make</a> <a href="/hebrew/3843.htm" title="3843: ū·lə·ḇê·nîm (Conj-w:: N-fp) -- Brick, tile. From laban; a brick.">bricks!’</a> <a href="/hebrew/2009.htm" title="2009: wə·hin·nêh (Conj-w:: Interjection) -- Lo! behold! Prolongation for hen; lo!">Look,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5650.htm" title="5650: ‘ă·ḇā·ḏe·ḵā (N-mpc:: 2ms) -- Slave, servant. From abad; a servant.">your servants</a> <a href="/hebrew/5221.htm" title="5221: muk·kîm (V-Hofal-Prtcpl-mp) -- To smite. A primitive root; to strike.">are being beaten,</a> <a href="/hebrew/2398.htm" title="2398: wə·ḥā·ṭāṯ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-3fs) -- A primitive root; properly, to miss; hence to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, lead astray, condemn.">but the fault</a> <a href="/hebrew/5971.htm" title="5971: ‘am·me·ḵā (N-msc:: 2ms) -- From amam; a people; specifically, a tribe; hence troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock.">is with your own people.”</a> </span><span class="reftext">17</span>“You are slackers!” Pharaoh replied. “Slackers! That is why you keep saying, ‘Let us go and sacrifice to the LORD.’…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/1-11.htm">Exodus 1:11-14</a></span><br />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 ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/2-23.htm">Exodus 2:23-25</a></span><br />After a long time, the king of Egypt died. The Israelites groaned and cried out under their burden of slavery, and their cry for deliverance from bondage ascended to God. / So God heard their groaning, and He remembered His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. / God saw the Israelites and took notice.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/6-6.htm">Exodus 6:6-9</a></span><br />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!’” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/3-7.htm">Exodus 3:7-9</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/7-14.htm">Exodus 7:14-16</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/8-1.htm">Exodus 8:1-2</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/9-1.htm">Exodus 9:1-2</a></span><br />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,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/10-3.htm">Exodus 10:3-4</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/12-31.htm">Exodus 12:31-33</a></span><br />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!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/14-5.htm">Exodus 14:5-8</a></span><br />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. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/20-14.htm">Numbers 20:14-16</a></span><br />From Kadesh, Moses sent messengers to tell the king of Edom, “This is what your brother Israel says: You know all the hardship that has befallen us, / how our fathers went down to Egypt, where we lived many years. The Egyptians mistreated us and our fathers, / and when we cried out to the LORD, He heard our voice, sent an angel, and brought us out of Egypt. Now look, we are in Kadesh, a city on the edge of your territory.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/26-6.htm">Deuteronomy 26:6-8</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/nehemiah/9-9.htm">Nehemiah 9:9-10</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/81-6.htm">Psalm 81:6-7</a></span><br />“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<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/14-3.htm">Isaiah 14:3-4</a></span><br />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!</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">There is no straw given to your servants, and they say to us, Make brick: and, behold, your servants are beaten; but the fault is in your own people.</p><p class="hdg">no reference </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/exodus/5-14.htm">Beaten</a> <a href="/exodus/2-11.htm">Blows</a> <a href="/exodus/5-15.htm">Bondmen</a> <a href="/exodus/5-14.htm">Brick</a> <a href="/exodus/5-8.htm">Bricks</a> <a href="/exodus/5-13.htm">Dry</a> <a href="/genesis/31-36.htm">Fault</a> <a href="/revelation/12-17.htm">Make</a> <a href="/exodus/5-15.htm">Servants</a> <a href="/genesis/44-32.htm">Sinned</a> <a href="/exodus/3-20.htm">Smitten</a> <a href="/exodus/5-13.htm">Stems</a> <a href="/exodus/5-13.htm">Straw</a> <a href="/exodus/2-13.htm">Wrong</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/exodus/25-18.htm">Beaten</a> <a href="/numbers/20-11.htm">Blows</a> <a href="/exodus/5-21.htm">Bondmen</a> <a href="/2_samuel/12-31.htm">Brick</a> <a href="/exodus/5-18.htm">Bricks</a> <a href="/exodus/5-18.htm">Dry</a> <a href="/exodus/17-2.htm">Fault</a> <a href="/exodus/23-27.htm">Make</a> <a href="/exodus/5-21.htm">Servants</a> <a href="/exodus/9-27.htm">Sinned</a> <a href="/exodus/7-25.htm">Smitten</a> <a href="/exodus/5-18.htm">Stems</a> <a href="/exodus/5-18.htm">Straw</a> <a href="/exodus/9-27.htm">Wrong</a><div class="vheading2">Exodus 5</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/5-1.htm">Pharaoh chides Moses and Aaron for their message.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">6. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/5-6.htm">He increases the Israelites' task.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">16. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/5-16.htm">He ignores their complaints.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">19. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/5-19.htm">They cry out to Moses and Aaron.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">22. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/5-22.htm">Moses complains to God.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/exodus/5.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/exodus/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/exodus/5.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>No straw has been given to your servants</b><br>In ancient Egypt, straw was a crucial component in brick-making, providing the necessary binding to hold the clay together. The Israelites, as slaves, were responsible for producing bricks for Pharaoh's building projects. The removal of straw by the Egyptians was a strategic move to increase the Israelites' burden, reflecting the harshness of their oppression. This phrase highlights the increased difficulty in their labor, symbolizing the intensification of their suffering. The lack of straw can be seen as a metaphor for the absence of resources or support, a theme that resonates throughout the Bible when God's people face trials without apparent means of relief.<p><b>yet we are told, ‘Make bricks!’</b><br>The command to continue producing bricks without the necessary materials underscores the unreasonable demands placed upon the Israelites. This reflects the broader theme of unjust suffering and oppression, which is a recurring motif in the biblical narrative. The Israelites' plight can be compared to other instances in Scripture where God's people are called to endure hardship, such as the trials faced by Job or the persecution of early Christians. This situation also foreshadows the deliverance that God will provide, as He often allows His people to reach a point of desperation before intervening.<p><b>Look, your servants are being beaten</b><br>The physical punishment of the Israelites for failing to meet their quotas despite the lack of resources illustrates the cruelty of their Egyptian taskmasters. This phrase highlights the severity of their bondage and the inhumanity of their treatment. The beating of the servants can be seen as a representation of the suffering of the righteous, a theme that is echoed in the New Testament with the persecution of Jesus and His followers. It also serves as a reminder of the cost of discipleship and the endurance required of believers.<p><b>but the fault is with your own people.</b><br>This accusation points to the injustice of the situation, as the blame for the Israelites' inability to meet their quotas lies with the Egyptians who withheld the straw. It reflects the broader biblical theme of unjust suffering and the misplacement of blame, which is seen in the stories of Joseph, Daniel, and ultimately Jesus Christ, who was blameless yet suffered for the sins of others. This phrase also highlights the moral blindness of the oppressors, a condition that is often addressed in the prophetic literature, where God calls out the injustices of the nations and promises eventual judgment and vindication for His people.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/p/pharaoh.htm">Pharaoh</a></b><br>The ruler of Egypt who enslaved the Israelites and increased their burdens.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/i/israelite_foremen.htm">Israelite Foremen</a></b><br>The leaders among the Israelites who were responsible for meeting the brick quotas and were punished when the quotas were not met.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/e/egyptian_taskmasters.htm">Egyptian Taskmasters</a></b><br>The overseers appointed by Pharaoh to enforce the labor demands on the Israelites.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/m/moses_and_aaron.htm">Moses and Aaron</a></b><br>God's chosen leaders who were sent to deliver the Israelites from slavery.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/e/egypt.htm">Egypt</a></b><br>The land where the Israelites were enslaved and where these events took place.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/u/understanding_oppression.htm">Understanding Oppression</a></b><br>The Israelites' cry highlights the reality of unjust demands and the suffering that comes from oppressive systems. Believers are called to recognize and stand against injustice in their own contexts.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_awareness_and_deliverance.htm">God's Awareness and Deliverance</a></b><br>Despite the immediate suffering, God is aware of His people's plight and has a plan for their deliverance. Trust in God's timing and sovereignty is crucial.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_burden_of_legalism.htm">The Burden of Legalism</a></b><br>The Israelites' experience can be likened to the spiritual burden of legalism, where people are expected to meet impossible standards without the necessary means. Jesus offers freedom from such burdens.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/i/intercession_and_advocacy.htm">Intercession and Advocacy</a></b><br>The role of the Israelite foremen as advocates for their people can inspire believers to intercede and advocate for those who are oppressed or in need.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faith_in_adversity.htm">Faith in Adversity</a></b><br>The Israelites' situation teaches the importance of maintaining faith and hope even when circumstances seem to worsen before they improve.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_exodus_5.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Exodus 5</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_did_god_abandon_them.htm">What is building a spiritual house?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/any_historical_precedent_for_exodus_5_8-9.htm">Exodus 5:8-9: Is there any record or historical precedent indicating such sudden changes in Egyptian labor policy?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_did_israelites_meet_brick_quotas.htm">Exodus 5:7: How could the Israelites maintain the same brick quota without Egyptian-provided straw under harsh labor conditions?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_2_chr_25_4_align_with_ot_laws.htm">In 2 Chronicles 25:4, how can Amaziah's execution of his father's assassins yet sparing their children be reconciled with other Old Testament commands on punishment and inheritance of guilt?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/exodus/5.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(16) <span class= "bld">The fault is in thine own people.</span>--Heb., t<span class= "ital">hy people is in fault.</span> There can be no reasonable doubt that this clause is antithetical to the preceding one, and means that, though the Hebrews are punished, the people really in fault are the Egyptians.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/exodus/5.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 16.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">They say to us</span>. Or, "they keep saying to us." The participle is used, which implies continuance or repetition. The fruit is in thine own people. Literally, "Thine own people is in fault," or "sins." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/exodus/5-16.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">No</span><br /><span class="heb">אֵ֤ין</span> <span class="translit">(’ên)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_369.htm">Strong's 369: </a> </span><span class="str2">A non-entity, a negative particle</span><br /><br /><span class="word">straw</span><br /><span class="heb">תֶּ֗בֶן</span> <span class="translit">(te·ḇen)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8401.htm">Strong's 8401: </a> </span><span class="str2">Material, refuse haum, stalks of grain</span><br /><br /><span class="word">has been given</span><br /><span class="heb">נִתָּן֙</span> <span class="translit">(nit·tān)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5414.htm">Strong's 5414: </a> </span><span class="str2">To give, put, set</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to your servants,</span><br /><span class="heb">לַעֲבָדֶ֔יךָ</span> <span class="translit">(la·‘ă·ḇā·ḏe·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5650.htm">Strong's 5650: </a> </span><span class="str2">Slave, servant</span><br /><br /><span class="word">yet we are told,</span><br /><span class="heb">אֹמְרִ֥ים</span> <span class="translit">(’ō·mə·rîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">‘Make</span><br /><span class="heb">עֲשׂ֑וּ</span> <span class="translit">(‘ă·śū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6213.htm">Strong's 6213: </a> </span><span class="str2">To do, make</span><br /><br /><span class="word">bricks!’</span><br /><span class="heb">וּלְבֵנִ֛ים</span> <span class="translit">(ū·lə·ḇê·nîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3843.htm">Strong's 3843: </a> </span><span class="str2">Brick, tile</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Look,</span><br /><span class="heb">וְהִנֵּ֧ה</span> <span class="translit">(wə·hin·nêh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Interjection<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2009.htm">Strong's 2009: </a> </span><span class="str2">Lo! behold!</span><br /><br /><span class="word">your servants</span><br /><span class="heb">עֲבָדֶ֛יךָ</span> <span class="translit">(‘ă·ḇā·ḏe·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5650.htm">Strong's 5650: </a> </span><span class="str2">Slave, servant</span><br /><br /><span class="word">are being beaten,</span><br /><span class="heb">מֻכִּ֖ים</span> <span class="translit">(muk·kîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hofal - Participle - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5221.htm">Strong's 5221: </a> </span><span class="str2">To strike</span><br /><br /><span class="word">but the fault</span><br /><span class="heb">וְחָטָ֥את</span> <span class="translit">(wə·ḥā·ṭāṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2398.htm">Strong's 2398: </a> </span><span class="str2">To miss, to sin, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, lead astray, condemn</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[is] with your own people.”</span><br /><span class="heb">עַמֶּֽךָ׃</span> <span class="translit">(‘am·me·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5971.htm">Strong's 5971: </a> </span><span class="str2">A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/exodus/5-16.htm">Exodus 5:16 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/exodus/5-16.htm">Exodus 5:16 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/exodus/5-16.htm">Exodus 5:16 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/exodus/5-16.htm">Exodus 5:16 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/exodus/5-16.htm">Exodus 5:16 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/exodus/5-16.htm">Exodus 5:16 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/exodus/5-16.htm">Exodus 5:16 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/exodus/5-16.htm">Exodus 5:16 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/exodus/5-16.htm">Exodus 5:16 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/exodus/5-16.htm">Exodus 5:16 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/exodus/5-16.htm">OT Law: Exodus 5:16 No straw is given to your servants (Exo. Ex) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/exodus/5-15.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Exodus 5:15"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Exodus 5:15" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/exodus/5-17.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Exodus 5:17"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Exodus 5:17" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>