Exodus 5:21 - and they said to them, “May Yahweh look at you, and judge, because you have made us a stench to be abhorred in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of his servants, to put a sword in their hand to kill us.”

Generated Verse: Exodus 5:21

What does "Exodus 5:21" mean?


This verse from Exodus 5:21 expresses the Israelite foremen's frustration and anger towards Moses and Aaron. Let's break down the meaning:

"And they said to them, “May Yahweh look at you, and judge..." This is a curse or plea for divine judgment against Moses and Aaron. The foremen are calling on Yahweh (God) to witness their situation and hold Moses and Aaron accountable for what they perceive as their actions. They believe Moses and Aaron's actions have made their lives worse.

"...because you have made us a stench to be abhorred in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of his servants..." This is the core of their complaint. Moses and Aaron's request to Pharaoh to let the Israelites go and worship in the wilderness has backfired. Instead of granting freedom, Pharaoh has increased their workload and made their lives even harder. They feel Moses and Aaron have made them despised (a "stench") by the Egyptians.

"...to put a sword in their hand to kill us.” This is a metaphorical expression of the danger they now face. While Pharaoh might not literally hand his servants swords to kill them, the increased burden and negative sentiment could lead to severe punishment, oppression, or even death. They are afraid that their lives are in danger due to Moses and Aaron's actions.

In essence, the verse conveys the following:

The Israelite foremen are furious with Moses and Aaron because their attempt to negotiate with Pharaoh has backfired. Instead of improving their situation, it has made it worse. The foremen believe Moses and Aaron's actions have made them hated by the Egyptians and put their lives in danger. They call on God to judge Moses and Aaron for the predicament they find themselves in.

The verse is significant because it highlights the initial challenges and setbacks Moses and Aaron faced in their mission to liberate the Israelites. Not everyone was initially supportive, and their actions had unintended consequences that caused further hardship. It reflects the complex dynamics of leadership and the difficulty of achieving freedom in the face of oppression.