The Church Fathers on this verse

Exodus 5:16Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Straw is not given us, and bricks are required of us as before; behold we, thy servants, are beaten with whips, and thy people is unjustly dealt withal.

Douay-Rheims

תֶּ֗בֶן אֵ֤ין נִתָּן֙ לַעֲבָדֶ֔יךָ וּלְבֵנִ֛ים אֹמְרִ֥ים לָ֖נוּ עֲשׂ֑וּ וְהִנֵּ֧ה עֲבָדֶ֛יךָ מֻכִּ֖ים וְחָטָ֥את עַמֶּֽךָ׃

Hebrew (Masoretic text)

The Church Fathers on this verse

One Church Father comments on this verse

Wlastow G.K.

19th centuryCommentator

This poignant declaration simultaneously serves as a veiled warning, signaling a divergence from God's commandments, which consistently bring retribution for transgressions. They proclaim to Pharaoh that the consequences of sin will spread throughout your entire nation, leading to disaster for it.