Exodus 5:5 - Ellicott's Commentary On The Whole Bible

Bible Comments

And Pharaoh said. — Moses and Aaron having retired, re infectâ, Pharaoh turns to the officers of his court and reproaches them with allowing the Hebrews to be idle. They have time to hold meetings (Exodus 4:30-31), and listen to inflammatory harangues, and depute leaders to make very inconvenient proposals — why are they not kept closer to their tasks? Some change of system is requisite.

Make them rest. — Rather, “let them rest.”

Exodus 5:5

5 And Pharaoh said, Behold, the people of the land now are many, and ye make them rest from their burdens.