Exodus 5:3 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Let us go—three days—into the desert— They do not open their whole purpose at once. It was not necessary, and it would not have been prudent. They urge the strong motive of religious fear, to work upon Pharaoh; Exodus 5:3 lest he fall upon us with the pestilence, or with the sword. Nor was this a mere pretence; for they had just cause to fear the Divine indignation, if they did not offer to Jehovah that worship and honour which he required, and turn from that idolatry into which they had fallen in Egypt, Ezekiel 20:7-8 to which they were afterwards so prone, and for which they were so frequently chastised by the Lord, Ezekiel 17:21. It is usual with the Hebrews to call any great mortality the pestilence: therefore the Greek and the Chaldee translate it, both here and elsewhere, death. In this first application to Pharaoh, we observe that proper, respectful submission, which is due from subjects to their sovereign. They represent to him the danger that they should be in, by disobeying their GOD; but do not so much as hint at any punishment which would follow to Pharaoh.