Exodus 5:22 So Moses returned to the LORD and asked, "Lord, why have You brought trouble upon this people? Is this why You sent me?

◄ Exodus 5:22 ►

New International Version
Moses returned to the LORD and said, “Why, Lord, why have you brought trouble on this people? Is this why you sent me?

New Living Translation
Then Moses went back to the LORD and protested, “Why have you brought all this trouble on your own people, Lord? Why did you send me?

English Standard Version
Then Moses turned to the LORD and said, “O Lord, why have you done evil to this people? Why did you ever send me?

Berean Standard Bible
So Moses returned to the LORD and asked, “Lord, why have You brought trouble upon this people? Is this why You sent me?

King James Bible
And Moses returned unto the LORD, and said, Lord, wherefore hast thou so evil entreated this people? why is it that thou hast sent me?

New King James Version
So Moses returned to the LORD and said, “Lord, why have You brought trouble on this people? Why is it You have sent me?

New American Standard Bible
Then Moses returned to the LORD and said, “Lord, why have You brought harm to this people? Why did You ever send me?

NASB 1995
Then Moses returned to the LORD and said, “O Lord, why have You brought harm to this people? Why did You ever send me?

NASB 1977
Then Moses returned to the LORD and said, “O Lord, why hast Thou brought harm to this people? Why didst Thou ever send me?

Legacy Standard Bible
Then Moses returned to Yahweh and said, “O Lord, why have You brought harm to this people? Why did You ever send me?

Amplified Bible
Then Moses turned again to the LORD and said, “O Lord, why have You brought harm and oppression to this people? Why did You ever send me? [I cannot understand Your purpose!]

Christian Standard Bible
So Moses went back to the LORD and asked, “Lord, why have you caused trouble for this people? And why did you ever send me?

Holman Christian Standard Bible
So Moses went back to the LORD and asked, “Lord, why have You caused trouble for this people? And why did You ever send me?

American Standard Version
And Moses returned unto Jehovah, and said, Lord, wherefore hast thou dealt ill with this people? why is it that thou hast sent me?

Contemporary English Version
Moses left them and prayed, "Our LORD, why have you brought so much trouble on your people? Is that why you sent me here?

English Revised Version
And Moses returned unto the LORD, and said, Lord, wherefore hast thou evil entreated this people? why is it that thou hast sent me?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Moses went back to the LORD and asked, "Why have you brought this trouble on your people? Why did you send me?

Good News Translation
Then Moses turned to the LORD again and said, "Lord, why do you mistreat your people? Why did you send me here?

International Standard Version
So Moses returned to the LORD and asked him, "LORD, why have you caused trouble for this people? Why have you sent me here?

Majority Standard Bible
So Moses returned to the LORD and asked, “Lord, why have You brought trouble upon this people? Is this why You sent me?

NET Bible
Moses returned to the LORD, and said, "Lord, why have you caused trouble for this people? Why did you ever send me?

New Heart English Bible
Moses returned to the LORD, and said, "Lord, why have you brought trouble on this people? Why is it that you have sent me?

Webster's Bible Translation
And Moses returned to the LORD, and said, Lord, why hast thou so ill treated this people? why is it that thou hast sent me?

World English Bible
Moses returned to Yahweh, and said, “Lord, why have you brought trouble on this people? Why is it that you have sent me?

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
And Moses turns back to YHWH and says, “Lord, why have You done evil to this people? Why [is] this [that] You have sent me?

Young's Literal Translation
And Moses turneth back unto Jehovah, and saith, 'Lord, why hast Thou done evil to this people? why is this? -- Thou hast sent me!

Smith's Literal Translation
And Moses will turn back to Jehovah, and he will say, My Lord, why didst thou evil to this people? wherefore for this didst, thou send me?

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
And Moses returned to the Lord, and said: Lord, why hast thou afflicted this people? wherefore hast thou sent me?

Catholic Public Domain Version
And Moses returned to the Lord, and he said: “Lord, why have you afflicted this people? Why have you sent me?

New American Bible
Then Moses again had recourse to the LORD and said, “LORD, why have you treated this people badly? And why did you send me?

New Revised Standard Version
Then Moses turned again to the LORD and said, “O LORD, why have you mistreated this people? Why did you ever send me?

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
And Moses returned to the LORD and said, O my LORD, Why hast thou caused this people to be ill-treated? And why didst thou send me here?

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Moshe returned to LORD JEHOVAH and said, “My Lord, why have you done evil to this people and why have you sent me?

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
And Moses returned unto the LORD, and said: 'Lord, wherefore hast Thou dealt ill with this people? why is it that Thou hast sent me?

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Moses turned to the Lord, and said, I pray, Lord, why hast thou afflicted this people? and wherefore hast thou sent me?

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

The Cry of the Israelites
…21“May the LORD look upon you and judge you,” the foremen said, “for you have made us a stench before Pharaoh and his officials; you have placed in their hand a sword to kill us!” 22So Moses returned to the LORD and asked, “Lord, why have You brought trouble upon this people? Is this why You sent me? 23Ever since I went to Pharaoh to speak in Your name, he has brought trouble on this people, and You have not delivered Your people in any way.”…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Numbers 11:11-15
So Moses asked the LORD, “Why have You brought this trouble on Your servant? Why have I not found favor in Your sight, that You have laid upon me the burden of all these people? / Did I conceive all these people? Did I give them birth, so that You should tell me, ‘Carry them in your bosom, as a nurse carries an infant,’ to the land that You swore to give their fathers? / Where can I get meat for all these people? For they keep crying out to me, ‘Give us meat to eat!’ ...

Jeremiah 20:7-9
You have deceived me, O LORD, and I was deceived. You have overcome me and prevailed. I am a laughingstock all day long; everyone mocks me. / For whenever I speak, I cry out; I proclaim violence and destruction. For the word of the LORD has become to me a reproach and derision all day long. / If I say, “I will not mention Him or speak any more in His name,” His message becomes a fire burning in my heart, shut up in my bones, and I become weary of holding it in, and I cannot prevail.

Job 3:11-12
Why did I not perish at birth; why did I not die as I came from the womb? / Why were there knees to receive me, and breasts that I should be nursed?

Psalm 73:13-14
Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure; in innocence I have washed my hands. / For I am afflicted all day long and punished every morning.

Psalm 77:7-9
“Will the Lord spurn us forever and never show His favor again? / Is His loving devotion gone forever? Has His promise failed for all time? / Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has His anger shut off His compassion?” Selah

Lamentations 3:1-9
I am the man who has seen affliction under the rod of God’s wrath. / He has driven me away and made me walk in darkness instead of light. / Indeed, He keeps turning His hand against me all day long. ...

Habakkuk 1:2-4
How long, O LORD, must I call for help but You do not hear, or cry out to You, “Violence!” but You do not save? / Why do You make me see iniquity? Why do You tolerate wrongdoing? Destruction and violence are before me. Strife is ongoing, and conflict abounds. / Therefore the law is paralyzed, and justice never goes forth. For the wicked hem in the righteous, so that justice is perverted.

1 Kings 19:4
while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He sat down under a broom tree and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, LORD,” he said. “Take my life, for I am no better than my fathers.”

Jonah 4:1-3
Jonah, however, was greatly displeased, and he became angry. / So he prayed to the LORD, saying, “O LORD, is this not what I said while I was still in my own country? This is why I was so quick to flee toward Tarshish. I knew that You are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion—One who relents from sending disaster. / And now, O LORD, please take my life from me, for it is better for me to die than to live.”

Isaiah 49:4
But I said, “I have labored in vain, I have spent My strength in futility and vanity; yet My vindication is with the LORD, and My reward is with My God.”

Matthew 11:2-3
Meanwhile John heard in prison about the works of Christ, and he sent his disciples / to ask Him, “Are You the One who was to come, or should we look for someone else?”

Luke 7:19-20
So John called two of his disciples and sent them to ask the Lord, “Are You the One who was to come, or should we look for someone else?” / When the men came to Jesus, they said, “John the Baptist sent us to ask, ‘Are You the One who was to come, or should we look for someone else?’”

John 11:21
Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.

John 11:32
When Mary came to Jesus and saw Him, she fell at His feet and said, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.”

Matthew 27:46
About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”

Treasury of Scripture

And Moses returned to the LORD, and said, LORD, why have you so evil entreated this people? why is it that you have sent me?

returned

Exodus 17:4
And Moses cried unto the LORD, saying, What shall I do unto this people? they be almost ready to stone me.

1 Samuel 30:6
And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.

Psalm 73:25
Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.

why is it

Numbers 11:14,15
I am not able to bear all this people alone, because it is too heavy for me…

1 Kings 19:4,10
But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers…

Jeremiah 20:7
O LORD, thou hast deceived me, and I was deceived: thou art stronger than I, and hast prevailed: I am in derision daily, every one mocketh me.

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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.

Berean Study Bible

So Moses returned to the LORD
The phrase "returned to the LORD" signifies Moses' direct and personal relationship with God. In Hebrew, the word for "returned" is "shuv," which implies a turning back or coming again to a place of origin. This reflects Moses' reliance on God as his source of guidance and strength. Historically, Moses' return to God highlights the intimate communication between God and His chosen leaders, a theme prevalent throughout the Old Testament. It underscores the importance of seeking divine counsel in times of distress and confusion.

and asked
The act of asking here is significant. The Hebrew word "sha'al" conveys a sense of inquiry or seeking understanding. Moses' questioning is not an act of defiance but a sincere quest for clarity. This reflects the human condition of seeking answers from God when faced with challenges. It is a reminder that God welcomes our questions and desires an honest relationship with us, where we can express our doubts and seek His wisdom.

Lord, why have You brought trouble upon this people?
The use of "Lord" here is translated from the Hebrew "Adonai," a title that denotes God's sovereignty and authority. Moses acknowledges God's supreme power even as he questions His actions. The phrase "brought trouble" is derived from the Hebrew "ra'a," meaning to do evil or harm. Moses is perplexed by the suffering of the Israelites, whom God has promised to deliver. This reflects a common biblical theme where God's people struggle to understand His ways, yet it also points to the trust that God’s ultimate plan is for good, even when it is not immediately apparent.

Is this why You sent me?
Moses' question reveals his inner turmoil and doubt about his mission. The Hebrew word for "sent" is "shalach," which means to send away or dispatch. Moses is grappling with the apparent contradiction between God's promise of deliverance and the current suffering of the Israelites. This moment of doubt is a powerful reminder of the human aspect of biblical figures, who, despite their divine calling, experience fear and uncertainty. It encourages believers to trust in God's purpose, even when the path is unclear, and to remain faithful to their calling despite challenges.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(22) Moses returned unto the Lord.--He could find nothing to say to the officers. The course of events had as much disappointed him as it had them All that he could do was to complain to God, with a freedom which seems to us almost to border on irreverence, but which God excused in him, since it had its root in his tender love for his people. Moses might perhaps have borne with patience a mere negative result--the postponement of any open manifestation of the Divine power--but the thought that he had increased the burthens and aggravated the misery of his countrymen was more than he could bear without complaining

Pulpit Commentary

Verses 22, 23. - The two brothers made no reply to the words of the officers. Perhaps their hearts were too full for speech; perhaps they knew not what to say. Whatever faith they had, it did no doubt seem a hard thing that their interference, Divinely ordered as it was, should have produced as yet nothing but an aggravation of their misery to the Israelite people. They could not understand the course of the Divine action. God had warned them not to expect success at once (Exodus 3:19; Exodus 4:21); but he had said nothing of evil consequences following upon their first efforts. Thus we can well understand that the two brothers (and especially Moses, the more impetuous of them) were bitterly grieved and disappointed. They felt their cup of sorrow to be full - the reproaches of the officers made it overflow. Hence the bitterness of the complaint with which this chapter terminates, and which introduces the long series of precious promise, contained in the opening section of ch. 6. Verse 22. - Moses returned unto the Lord. We are not to understand that Moses had forsaken God and now "returned" to him but simply that in his trouble he had recourse to God, took his sorrow to the Throne of Grace, and poured it out before the Almighty A good example truly, and one which Christians in all their trials would do well to follow. Lord, wherefore, etc. The words, no doubt, are bold. They have been said to "approach to irreverence." But there are parallels to them, which have never been regarded as irreverent, in the Psalms: e.g. "O God, why hast thou cast us off for ever? Why does thine anger smoke against the sheep of thy pasture?" (Psalm 74:1) "How long wilt thou hide thyself? Where are thy former lovingkindnesses? Wherefore hast thou made all men for nought?" (Psalm 89:46-9), and the like. Kalisch seems right in saying that "the desponding complaint of Moses was not the result of disbelief or doubt, but the effort of a pious soul struggling after a deeper penetration into the mysteries of the Almighty."

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

So Moses
מֹשֶׁ֛ה (mō·šeh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 4872: Moses -- a great Israelite leader, prophet and lawgiver

returned
וַיָּ֧שָׁב (way·yā·šāḇ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7725: To turn back, in, to retreat, again

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

the LORD
יְהוָ֖ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

and asked,
וַיֹּאמַ֑ר (way·yō·mar)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“Lord,
אֲדֹנָ֗י (’ă·ḏō·nāy)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 136: The Lord

why
לָמָ֤ה (lā·māh)
Interrogative
Strong's 4100: What?, what!, indefinitely what

have You brought trouble
הֲרֵעֹ֙תָה֙ (hă·rê·‘ō·ṯāh)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 7489: To spoil, to make, good for, nothing, bad

upon this
הַזֶּ֔ה (haz·zeh)
Article | Pronoun - masculine singular
Strong's 2088: This, that

people?
לָעָ֣ם (lā·‘ām)
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

Is this
זֶּ֖ה (zeh)
Pronoun - masculine singular
Strong's 2088: This, that

why
לָ֥מָּה (lām·māh)
Interrogative
Strong's 4100: What?, what!, indefinitely what

You sent me?
שְׁלַחְתָּֽנִי׃ (šə·laḥ·tā·nî)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singular | first person common singular
Strong's 7971: To send away, for, out

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OT Law: Exodus 5:22 Moses returned to Yahweh and said Lord (Exo. Ex)