13 And the taskmasters hasted them, saying, Fulfil your works, your daily tasks, as when there was straw.
13 The slave drivers kept pressing them, saying, "Complete the work required of you for each day, just as when you had straw."
13 The taskmasters were urgent, saying, "Complete your work, your daily task each day, as when there was straw."
13 The slave-drivers were merciless, saying, "Complete your daily quota of bricks - the same number as when you were given straw."
13 And the taskmasters forced them to hurry, saying, "Fulfill your work, your daily quota, as when there was straw."
13 Meanwhile, the Egyptian slave drivers continued to push hard. "Meet your daily quota of bricks, just as you did when we provided you with straw!" they demanded.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Exodus 5:13
Commentary on Exodus 5:10-23
(Read Exodus 5:10-23)
The Egyptian task-masters were very severe. See what need we have to pray that we may be delivered from wicked men. The head-workmen justly complained to Pharaoh: but he taunted them. The malice of Satan has often represented the service and worship of God, as fit employment only for those who have nothing else to do, and the business only of the idle; whereas, it is the duty of those who are most busy in the world. Those who are diligent in doing sacrifice to the Lord, will, before God, escape the doom of the slothful servant, though with men they do not. The Israelites should have humbled themselves before God, and have taken to themselves the shame of their sin; but instead of that, they quarrel with those who were to be their deliverers. Moses returned to the Lord. He knew that what he had said and done, was by God's direction; and therefore appeals to him. When we find ourselves at any time perplexed in the way of our duty, we ought to go to God, and lay open our case before him by fervent prayer. Disappointments in our work must not drive us from our God, but still we must ponder why they are sent.