Bricks Without Straw

Exodus 5

Moses and Aaron ask Pharao to let Israel go into the wilderness to hold a feast to the Lord, but Pharao refuses and increases the people's burden by requiring them to gather their own straw while still producing the same quota of bricks. The Israelite overseers are beaten and complain bitterly to Moses, who in turn asks the Lord why he has not yet delivered the people.

About these editions

The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.

Thomson 1808Septuagint

Brenton 1851Septuagint

Greek · BrentonSeptuagint

KJV 1769Masoretic

JPS 1917Masoretic

ThomsonAND after this Moses went in with Aaron to Pharao and they said to him, Thus saith the Lord the God of Israel, Let my people go that they may keep a festival for me in the wilderness.

BrentonAnd after this went in Moses and Aaron to Pharao, and they said to him, These things says the Lord God of Israel, Send my people away, that they may keep a feast to me in the wilderness.

GreekΚαὶ μετὰ ταῦτα εἰσῆλθε Μωυσῆς καὶ Ἀαρὼν πρὸς Φαραὼ, καὶ εἶπαν αὐτῷ, τάδε λέγει Κύριος ὁ Θεὸς Ἰσραὴλ, ἐξαπόστειλον τὸν λαόν μου, ἵνα μοι ἑορτάσωσιν ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ.

KJVAnd afterward Moses and Aaron went in, and told Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Let my people go, that they may hold a feast unto me in the wilderness.

JPSAnd afterward Moses and Aaron came, and said unto Pharaoh: ‘Thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel: Let My people go, that they may hold a feast unto Me in the wilderness.’

ThomsonUpon which Pharao said, Who is he, that I should hearken to his voice so as to send away the Israelites? I do not know the Lord, nor will I let Israel go.

BrentonAnd Pharao said, Who is he that I should hearken to his voice, so that I should send away the children of Israel? I do not know the Lord, and I will not let Israel go.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπε Φαραὼ, τίς ἐστιν οὗ εἰσακούσομαι τῆς φωνῆς αὐτοῦ, ὥστε ἐξαποστεῖλαι τοὺς υἱοὺς Ἰσραήλ; οὐκ οἶδα τὸν Κύριον, καὶ τὸν Ἰσραὴλ οὐκ ἐξαποστέλλω.

KJVAnd Pharaoh said, Who is the LORD, that I should obey his voice to let Israel go? I know not the LORD, neither will I let Israel go.

JPSAnd Pharaoh said: ‘Who is the LORD, that I should hearken unto His voice to let Israel go? I know not the LORD, and moreover I will not let Israel go.’

ThomsonThen they said to him, The God of the Hebrews hath called us. Let us therefore go three days’ journey into the wilderness that we may sacrifice to the Lord our God, lest death or destruction befall us.

BrentonAnd they say to him, The God of the Hebrews has called us to him: we will go therefore a three days' journey into the wilderness, that we may sacrifice to the Lord our God, lest at any time death or slaughter happen to us.

GreekΚαὶ λέγουσιν αὐτῷ, ὁ Θεὸς τῶν Ἐβραίων προσκέκληται ἡμᾶς· πορευσόμεθα οὖν ὁδὸν τριῶν ἡμερῶν εἰς τὴν ἔρημον, ὅπως θύσωμεν Κυρίῳ τῷ Θεῷ ἡμῶν, μή ποτε συναντήσῃ ἡμῖν θάνατος ἢ φόνος.

KJVAnd they said, The God of the Hebrews hath met with us: let us go, we pray thee, three days’ journey into the desert, and sacrifice unto the LORD our God; lest he fall upon us with pestilence, or with the sword.

JPSAnd they said: ‘The God of the Hebrews hath met with us. Let us go, we pray thee, three days’journey into the wilderness, and sacrifice unto the LORD our God; lest He fall upon us with pestilence, or with the sword.’

ThomsonThereupon the king of Egypt said to them, Why do ye, Moses and Aaron, divert the people from their labours? Begone each of you to his work.

BrentonAnd the king of Egypt said to them, Why do ye, Moses and Aaron, turn the people from their works? depart each of you to your works.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς ὁ βασιλεὺς Αἰγύπτου, ἱνατί Μωυσῆς καὶ Ἀαρών διαστρέφετε τὸν λαὸν ἀπὸ τῶν ἔργων; ἀπέλθατε ἕκαστος ὑμῶν πρὸς τὰ ἔργα αὐτοῦ.

KJVAnd the king of Egypt said unto them, Wherefore do ye, Moses and Aaron, let the people from their works? get you unto your burdens.

JPSAnd the king of Egypt said unto them: ‘Wherefore do ye, Moses and Aaron, cause the people to break loose from their work? get you unto your burdens.’

ThomsonAnd Pharao said, Behold this people is now numerous, therefore we must not let them rest from their labours.

BrentonAnd Pharao said, Behold now, the people is very numerous; let us not then give them rest from their work.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπεν Φαραὼ, ἰδοὺ νῦν πολυπληθεῖ ὁ λαὸς, μὴ οὖν καταπαύσωμεν αὐτοὺς ἀπὸ τῶν ἔργων.

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

JPSAnd Pharaoh said: ‘Behold, the people of the land are now many, and will ye make them rest from their burdens?’

ThomsonSo Pharao gave orders to the task masters of the people and to the clerks saying,

BrentonAnd Pharao gave orders to the task-masters of the people and the accountants, saying,

GreekΣυνέταξε δὲ Φαραὼ τοῖς ἐργοδιώκταις τοῦ λαοῦ, καὶ τοῖς γραμματεῦσι, λέγων,

KJV—

JPS—

ThomsonYou shall no more give the people straw to make bricks as heretofore; but let them go and gather straw for themselves;

BrentonYe shall no longer give straw to the people for brick-making as yesterday and the third day; but let them go themselves, and collect straw for themselves.

Greekοὐκέτι προστεθήσεσθε διδόναι ἄχυρον τῷ λαῷ εἰς τὴν πλινθουργίαν, καθάπερ χθὲς καὶ τρίτην ἡμέραν· ἀλλ αὐτοὶ πορευέσθωσαν καὶ συναγαγέτωσαν ἑαυτοῖς ἄχυρα.

KJVYe shall no more give the people straw to make brick, as heretofore: let them go and gather straw for themselves.

JPS’Ye shall no more give the people straw to make brick, as heretofore. Let them go and gather straw for themselves.

Thomsonyet the daily task of brick-making which they now perform, you shall lay upon them. Thou shalt make no abatement; for they are idle. Therefore they have cried saying, Let us go and sacrifice to our God.

BrentonAnd thou shalt impose on them daily the rate of brick-making which they perform: thou shalt not abate anything, for they are idle; therefore have they cried, saying, Let us arise and do sacrifice to our God.

GreekΚαὶ τὴν σύνταξιν τῆς πλινθείας, ἧς αὐτοὶ ποιοῦσι, καθʼ ἑκάστην ἡμέραν ἐπιβαλεῖς αὐτοῖς· οὐκ ἀφελεῖς οὐδέν· σχολάζουσι γάρ· διὰ τοῦτο κεκράγασι, λέγοντες, ἐγερθῶμεν, καὶ θύσωμεν τῷ Θεῷ ἡμῶν.

KJVAnd the tale of the bricks, which they did make heretofore, ye shall lay upon them; ye shall not diminish ought thereof: for they be idle; therefore they cry, saying, Let us go and sacrifice to our God.

JPSAnd the tale of the bricks, which they did make heretofore, ye shall lay upon them; ye shall not diminish aught thereof; for they are idle; therefore they cry, saying: Let us go and sacrifice to our God.

ThomsonLet the work of these men be made heavy and let them employ their thoughts about that, and not trouble themselves with vain discourses.

BrentonLet the works of these men be made grievous, and let them care for these things, and not care for vain words.

GreekΒαρυνέσθω τὰ ἔργα τῶν ἀνθρώπων τούτων, καὶ μεριμνάτωσαν ταῦτα, καὶ μὴ μεριμνάτωσαν ἐν λόγοις κενοῖς.

KJVLet there more work be laid upon the men, that they may labour therein; and let them not regard vain words.

JPSLet heavier work be laid upon the men, that they may labour therein; and let them not regard lying words.’

ThomsonUpon this the task masters and clerks hurried them and spoke to the people saying, Thus saith Pharao, I will no more give you straw; go and collect straw for yourselves where you can find it; for no abatement shall be made of your task.

BrentonAnd the taskmasters and the accountants hastened them, and they spoke to the people, saying, Thus says Pharao, I will give you straw no longer.

GreekΚατέσπευδον δὲ αὐτοὺς οἱ ἐργοδιῶκται καὶ οἱ γραμματεῖς, καὶ ἔλεγον πρὸς τὸν λαὸν, λέγοντες, τάδε λέγει Φαραὼ, οὐκέτι δίδωμι ὑμῖν ἄχυρα.

KJVAnd the taskmasters of the people went out, and their officers, and they spake to the people, saying, Thus saith Pharaoh, I will not give you straw.

JPSAnd the taskmasters of the people went out, and their officers, and they spoke to the people, saying: ‘Thus saith Pharaoh: I will not give you straw.

Thomson—

BrentonGo ye, yourselves, get for yourselves straw whencesoever ye can find it, for nothing is diminished from your rate.

GreekΑὐτοὶ ὑμεῖς πορευόμενοι συλλέγετε ἑαυτοῖς ἄχυρα, ὅθεν ἐὰν εὕρητε· οὐ γὰρ ἀφαιρεῖται ἀπὸ τῆς συντάξεως ὑμῶν οὐθέν.

KJVGo ye, get you straw where ye can find it: yet not ought of your work shall be diminished.

JPSGo yourselves, get you straw where ye can find it; for nought of your work shall be diminished.’

ThomsonSo the people were dispersed through all the land of Egypt to collect stubble instead of straw.

BrentonSo the people were dispersed in all the land of Egypt, to gather stubble for straw.

GreekΚαὶ διεσπάρη ὁ λαὸς ἐν ὅλῃ γῇ Αἰγύπτῳ συναγαγεῖν καλάμην εἰς ἄχυρα.

KJVSo the people were scattered abroad throughout all the land of Egypt to gather stubble instead of straw.

JPSSo the people were scattered abroad throughout all the land of Egypt to gather stubble for straw.

ThomsonAnd the task masters urged them saying, Complete the customary daily task as when straw was furnished you.

BrentonAnd the taskmasters hastened them, saying, Fulfil your regular daily tasks, even as when straw was given you.

GreekΟἱ δὲ ἐργοδιῶκται κατέσπευδον αὐτοὺς, λέγοντες, συντελεῖτε τὰ ἔργα τὰ καθήκοντα καθʼ ἡμέραν, καθάπερ καὶ ὅτε τὸ ἄχυρον ἐδίδοτο ὑμῖν.

KJVAnd the taskmasters hasted them, saying, Fulfil your works, your daily tasks, as when there was straw.

JPSAnd the taskmasters were urgent, saying: ‘Fulfil your work, your daily task, as when there was straw.’

ThomsonAnd when they beat the clerks of the nation of the Israelites who were set over them by the officers of Pharao and said, Why have you not as heretofore completed your tasks of brick-making to-day?

BrentonAnd the accountants of the race of the children of Israel, who were set over them by the masters of Pharao, were scourged, [ and questioned,] men saying, Why have ye not fulfilled your rates of brick-work as yesterday and the third day, to-day also?

GreekΚαὶ ἐμαστιγώθησαν οἱ γραμματεῖς τοῦ γένους τῶν υἱῶν Ἰσραὴλ, οἱ κατασταθέντες ἐπʼ αὐτοὺς, ὑπὸ τῶν ἐπιστατῶν τοῦ Φαραὼ, λέγοντες, διατί οὐ συνετελέσατε τὰς συντάξεις ὑμῶν τῆς πλινθείας καθάπερ χθὲς καὶ τρίτην ἡμέραν, καὶ τὸ τῆς σήμερον;

KJVAnd the officers of the children of Israel, which Pharaoh’s taskmasters had set over them, were beaten, and demanded, Wherefore have ye not fulfilled your task in making brick both yesterday and to day, as heretofore?

JPSAnd the officers of the children of Israel, whom Pharaoh’s taskmasters had set over them, were beaten, saying: ‘Wherefore have ye not fulfilled your appointed task in making brick both yesterday and today as heretofore?’

Thomsonthe clerks of the children of Israel went and cried to Pharao saying, Why dost thou deal thus with thy servants?

BrentonAnd the accountants of the children of Israel went in and cried to Pharao, saying, Why dost thou act thus to thy servants?

GreekΕἰσελθόντες δὲ οἱ γραμματεῖς τῶν υἱῶν Ἰσραὴλ κατεβόησαν πρὸς Φαραὼ, λέγοντες, ἱνατί σὺ οὕτως ποιεῖς τοῖς σοῖς οἰκέταις;

KJVThen the officers of the children of Israel came and cried unto Pharaoh, saying, Wherefore dealest thou thus with thy servants?

JPSThen the officers of the children of Israel came and cried unto Pharaoh, saying: ‘Wherefore dealest thou thus with thy servants?

ThomsonThere is no straw given to thy servants, yet they say to us, Make bricks. And lo! thy servants are beaten. Wilt thou then deal unjustly with thy people?

BrentonStraw is not given to thy servants, and they tell us to make brick; and behold thy servants have been scourged: thou wilt therefore injure thy people.

GreekἌχυρον οὐ δίδοται τοῖς οἰκέταις σου, καὶ τὴν πλίνθον ἡμῖν λέγουσι ποιεῖν· καὶ ἰδοὺ οἱ παῖδές σου μεμαστίγωνται, ἀδικήσεις οὖν τὸν λαόν σου.

KJVThere is no straw given unto thy servants, and they say to us, Make brick: and, behold, thy servants are beaten; but the fault is in thine own people.

JPSThere is no straw given unto thy servants, and they say to us: Make brick; and, behold, thy servants are beaten, but the fault is in thine own people.’

ThomsonBut he said to them, You are idle: You are idlers. Therefore you say, Let us go and sacrifice to our God.

BrentonAnd he said to them, Ye are idle, ye are idlers: therefore ye say, Let us go and do sacrifice to our God.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς, σχολάζετε, σχολασταί ἐστε· διὰ τοῦτο λέγετε, πορευθῶμεν, θύσωμεν τῷ Θεῷ ἡμῶν.

KJVBut he said, Ye are idle, ye are idle: therefore ye say, Let us go and do sacrifice to the LORD.

JPSBut he said: ‘Ye are idle, ye are idle; therefore ye say: Let us go and sacrifice to the LORD.

ThomsonGo therefore now and work; for there shall be no straw given you, yet you shall deliver the task of bricks.

BrentonNow then go and work, for straw shall not be given to you, yet ye shall return the rate of bricks.

GreekΝῦν οὖν πορευθέντες, ἐργάζεσθε· τὸ γὰρ ἄχυρον οὐ δοθήσεται ὑμῖν, καὶ τὴν σύνταξιν τῆς πλινθείας ἀποδώσετε.

KJVGo therefore now, and work; for there shall no straw be given you, yet shall ye deliver the tale of bricks.

JPSGo therefore now, and work; for there shall no straw be given you, yet shall ye deliver the tale of bricks.’

ThomsonSo the clerks of the children of Israel saw themselves in a miserable situation, when they said, You shall be allowed no abatement from the customary daily task of brick-making.

BrentonAnd the accountants of the children of Israel saw themselves in an evil plight, men saying, Ye shall not fail to deliver the daily rate of the brick-making.

GreekἙώρων δὲ οἱ γραμματεῖς τῶν υἱῶν Ἰσραὴλ ἑαυτοὺς ἐν κακοῖς, λέγοντες, οὐκ ἀπολείψετε τῆς πλινθείας τὸ καθῆκον τῇ ἡμέρᾳ.

KJV—

JPS—

ThomsonAnd upon meeting Moses and Aaron who had come to meet them as they came out from Pharao

BrentonAnd they met Moses and Aaron coming forth to meet them, as they came forth from Pharao.

GreekΣυνήντησαν δὲ Μωυσῇ καὶ Ἀαρὼν ἐρχομένοις εἰς συνάντησιν αὐτοῖς, ἐκπορευομένων αὐτῶν ἀπὸ Φαραώ,

KJVAnd they met Moses and Aaron, who stood in the way, as they came forth from Pharaoh:

JPSAnd they met Moses and Aaron, who stood in the way, as they came forth from Pharaoh;

Thomsonthey said to them, God look upon you and judge. For you have made the smell of us horrible before Pharao and before his servants to put a sword in his hand to kill us.

BrentonAnd they said to them, The Lord look upon you and judge you, for ye have made our savour abominable before Pharao, and before his servants, to put a sword into his hands to slay us.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπαν αὐτοῖς, ἴδοι ὁ Θεὸς ὑμᾶς καὶ κρίναι, ὅτι ἐβδελύξατε τὴν ὀσμὴν ἡμῶν ἐναντίον Φαραὼ, καὶ ἐναντίον τῶν θεραπόντων αὐτοῦ, δοῦναι ῥομφαίαν εἰς τὰς χεῖρας αὐτοῦ, ἀποκτεῖναι ἡμᾶς.

KJVAnd they said unto them, The LORD look upon you, and judge; because ye have made our savour to be abhorred in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of his servants, to put a sword in their hand to slay us.

JPSand they said unto them: ‘The LORD look upon you, and judge; because ye have made our savour to be abhorred in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of his servants, to put a sword in their hand to slay us.’

ThomsonThereupon Moses turned to the Lord and said, O Lord, why hast Thou afflicted this people? And why hast Thou sent me?

BrentonAnd Moses turned to the Lord, and said, I pray, Lord, why hast thou afflicted this people? and wherefore hast thou sent me?

GreekἘπέστρεψε δὲ Μωυσῆς πρὸς Κύριον, καὶ εἶπε, δέομαι, Κύριε· τί ἐκάκωσας τὸν λαὸν τοῦτον; καὶ ἱνατί ἀπέσταλκάς με;

KJVAnd Moses returned unto the LORD, and said, LORD, wherefore hast thou so evil entreated this people? why is it that thou hast sent me?

JPSAnd Moses returned unto the LORD, and said: ‘Lord, wherefore hast Thou dealt ill with this people? why is it that Thou hast sent me?

ThomsonFor since I went to Pharao to speak in Thy name, he hath treated this people ill and Thou hast not delivered Thy people.

BrentonFor from the time that I went to Pharao to speak in thy name, he has afflicted this people, and thou hast not delivered thy people.

GreekΚαὶ ἀφʼ οὗ πεπόρευμαι πρὸς Φαραὼ, λαλῆσαι ἐπὶ τῷ σῷ ὀνόματι, ἐκάκωσε τὸν λαὸν τοῦτον· καὶ οὐκ ἐῤῥύσω τὸν λαόν σου.

KJVFor since I came to Pharaoh to speak in thy name, he hath done evil to this people; neither hast thou delivered thy people at all.

JPSFor since I came to Pharaoh to speak in Thy name, he hath dealt ill with this people; neither hast Thou delivered Thy people at all.’