That same day
This phrase indicates immediacy and urgency in Pharaoh's response to Moses and Aaron's request to let the Israelites go. It highlights Pharaoh's determination to maintain control over the Israelites. The timing suggests a direct reaction to the confrontation with Moses, emphasizing the tension between divine command and human authority.

Pharaoh commanded
Pharaoh, as the ruler of Egypt, held absolute power and was considered a god by his people. His command reflects his authority and the centralized power structure of ancient Egypt. This also sets the stage for the ensuing conflict between Pharaoh's will and God's plan for the Israelites' liberation.

the taskmasters of the people
Taskmasters were Egyptian overseers responsible for enforcing labor among the Israelites. Their role was to ensure that the Israelites met their quotas and maintained productivity. This reflects the oppressive conditions under which the Israelites lived, fulfilling the prophecy of their enslavement in Genesis 15:13.

and their foremen
Foremen were likely Israelites appointed to manage their fellow Hebrews under the taskmasters' supervision. This hierarchical structure created division among the Israelites, as some were placed in positions of authority over others. It also illustrates the complexity of their oppression, as they were forced to participate in their own subjugation.

:
The colon indicates that what follows is a direct command from Pharaoh, setting the stage for the specific instructions that would increase the Israelites' burden. This punctuation marks a transition from the narrative to the specific actions Pharaoh would take to resist God's command, highlighting the conflict between divine will and human defiance.

1. Pharaoh
The ruler of Egypt, representing the oppressive power against the Israelites. His heart is hardened against God's command to let the Israelites go.

2. Taskmasters
Egyptian officials responsible for overseeing the labor of the Israelites. They enforce Pharaoh's harsh decrees.

3. Foremen
Hebrew leaders appointed to manage their fellow Israelites under the taskmasters. They are caught between obeying Pharaoh and the suffering of their people.

4. The Israelites
God's chosen people, enslaved in Egypt, crying out for deliverance.

5. Egypt
The land where the Israelites are enslaved, symbolizing bondage and oppression.Understanding Oppression
Recognize the reality of spiritual and physical oppression in the world. Just as Pharaoh oppressed the Israelites, sin and worldly systems can enslave us today.

God's Sovereignty
Trust in God's ultimate control and plan for deliverance. Despite Pharaoh's resistance, God's purposes will prevail.

Leadership Under Pressure
Consider the role of the foremen, who faced immense pressure from both Pharaoh and their people. Reflect on how to lead with integrity in difficult circumstances.

The Cost of Disobedience
Pharaoh's refusal to heed God's command led to increased suffering for the Israelites. Disobedience to God often results in hardship.

Hope in Deliverance
Just as God heard the cries of the Israelites, He hears our cries today. We can find hope in His promise of deliverance through Christ.(6) Taskmasters . . . officers.--Three grades of officials are mentioned as employed in superintending the forced labours of the Hebrews--(1) "lords of service" (sarey massim), in Exodus 1:11; (2) "taskmasters" (nogeshim), here and in Exodus 5:10; Exodus 5:13-14; and (3) "officers"--literally, scribes (shoterim), here and in Exodus 5:11-21. The "lords of service" were probably a small body who exercised a general superintendence, and determined the works in which the Hebrews should be employed. They were, no doubt, native Egyptians. The nogeshim, or "taskmasters," were their subordinates--Egyptians like themselves--comparatively numerous, and serving as intermediaries between the "lords" and the "officers." These last were Hebrews, and engaged mainly in keeping the tale of the bricks, and seeing that the proper number was reached. Such an organisation is consonant with all that we know of the Egyptian governmental system, which was bureaucratic and complex, involving in every department the employment of several grades of officials.

Verses 6-9. - Rulers are not always content simply to refuse inconvenient demands. Sometimes they set to work with much ingenuity and worldly wisdom to prevent their repetition. This is especially the case where they entertain a fear of their petitioners. The Spartans removed Helots, who had earned their freedom, by the Crypteia. The massacre of St. Bartholomew was caused by the Huguenot demand for freedom of worship and the difficulty of repressing it. The Pharaoh now is not content to let things take their course, but devises a plan by which he hopes to crush altogether the aspirations of the Hebrew people, and secure himself against the recurrence of any such appeal as that which had been made to him by Moses and Aaron. The Israelites had recently been employed chiefly in brickmaking. They had had to dig the clay and temper it, to mix it with straw, and mould it into the form of bricks; but the straw had been supplied to them. The king determined that this should be no longer done; the Israelites should find the straw for themselves. It has been estimated that by this change their labour was "more than doubled." (Canon Cook.) It was a not unreasonable expectation that under this system popular meetings would cease (ver. 9); and that Moses and Aaron, not being backed up by the voice of the people, would discontinue their agitation. Verse 6. - The same day. Pharaoh lost no time. Having conceived his idea, he issued his order at once-on the very day of the interview with the two leaders. It would be well if the children of light were as "wise" and as energetic on all occasions as the children of darkness. Taskmasters and officers. The word translated "taskmaster" here is not the same as the expression similarly rendered in Exodus 1:11; and it is thought not to designate the same class. The sarey massim of the former passage are thought to be general superintendents of works, few in number and of high rank, the nogeshim of the present place to be subordinates, numerous and inferior in position. Both of these classes were probably Egyptians. The "officers" (shoterim) were undoubtedly Hebrews. They were especially employed in keeping the tale of the bricks, and seeing that they reached the proper amount. Literally, the word shoterim means "scribes," and is so rendered in most passages.

Parallel Commentaries ...


That same
הַה֑וּא (ha·hū)
Article | Pronoun - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

day
בַּיּ֣וֹם (bay·yō·wm)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3117: A day

Pharaoh
פַּרְעֹ֖ה (par·‘ōh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 6547: Pharaoh -- a title of Egypt kings

commanded
וַיְצַ֥ו (way·ṣaw)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6680: To lay charge (upon), give charge (to), command, order

the taskmasters
הַנֹּגְשִׂ֣ים (han·nō·ḡə·śîm)
Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 5065: To drive, to tax, harass, tyrannize

of the people
בָּעָ֔ם (bā·‘ām)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

and their foremen:
שֹׁטְרָ֖יו (šō·ṭə·rāw)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 7860: A scribe, an official superintendent, magistrate


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OT Law: Exodus 5:6 The same day Pharaoh commanded the taskmasters (Exo. Ex)