Exodus 5:15

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Exodus 5:15 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Then the officers of the children of Israel came and cried unto Pharaoh, saying, Wherefore dealest thou thus with thy servants?” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Then the officers of the children of Israel came and cried unto Pharaoh, saying, Wherefore dealest thou thus with thy servants?
Exodus 5:15 — American Standard Version

Context — Exodus 5

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
15Then the officers of the children of Israel came and cried unto Pharaoh, saying, Wherefore dealest thou thus with thy servants?

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Then the officers of the children of Israel came and cried unto Pharaoh, etc.] Made their complaints to him, perhaps with tears in their eyes, being used so very ill. They little thought it was by Pharaoh’s orders; they supposed he knew nothing of it, and therefore hoped to have their grievances redressed by him, but were mistaken: saying, wherefore dealest thou thus with thy servants? so they call themselves, they living in his country, and being under his jurisdiction, though not properly his subjects; however, he had made them his slaves, and so indeed even bondservants.”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification