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Exodus 5:17

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Exodus 5:17 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “But he said, Ye are idle, ye are idle: therefore ye say, Let us go and sacrifice to Jehovah.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

But he said, Ye are idle, ye are idle: therefore ye say, Let us go and sacrifice to Jehovah.
Exodus 5:17 — American Standard Version

Context — Exodus 5

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
14And the officers of the children of Israel, whom Pharaoh`s taskmasters had set over them, were beaten, and demanded, Wherefore have ye not fulfilled your task both yesterday and to-day, in making brick as heretofore?
15Then the officers of the children of Israel came and cried unto Pharaoh, saying, Wherefore dealest thou thus with thy servants?
16There is no straw given unto thy servants, and they say to us, Make brick: and, behold, thy servants are beaten; but the fault it in thine own people.
17But he said, Ye are idle, ye are idle: therefore ye say, Let us go and sacrifice to Jehovah.
18Go therefore now, and work; for there shall no straw be given you, yet shall ye deliver the number of bricks.
19And the officers of the children of Israel did see that they were in evil case, when it was said, Ye shall not diminish aught from your bricks, [your] daily tasks.
20And they met Moses and Aaron, who stood in the way, as they came forth from Pharaoh:
← Exodus 5:16Exodus 5:18 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“But he said, ye are idle, ye are idle, etc.] Instead of expressing indignation at the taskmasters, and relieving the officers and the people, he insults them in a flouting sarcastic way, charging them with sloth and idleness; and which, for the certainty of it, or, however, to show how strongly persuaded and fully assured he was of the truth of it, repeats it, and gives the following as a proof of it, therefore ye say, let us go and do sacrifice to the Lord; suggesting that it was not so much the service and honour of God they regarded, as that they might have a leisure day from work and labour.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Ye are idle - The old Egyptian language abounds in epithets which show contempt for idleness. The charge was equally offensive and ingenious; one which would be readily believed by Egyptians who knew how much public and private labors were impeded by festivals and other religious ceremonies. Among the great sins which, according to Egyptian belief, involved condemnation in the final judgment, idleness is twice mentioned. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Mat 26:8; Joh 6:27; Th2 3:10, Th2 3:11 Exodus 5:18”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification