Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Make the work harder for the people so that they keep working and pay no attention to lies.” New Living Translation Load them down with more work. Make them sweat! That will teach them to listen to lies!” English Standard Version Let heavier work be laid on the men that they may labor at it and pay no regard to lying words.” Berean Standard Bible Make the work harder on the men so they will be occupied and pay no attention to these lies.” Berean Literal Bible Let the service be heavy on the men, and let them be occupied with it. And let them not pay attention to lying words.” King James Bible Let there more work be laid upon the men, that they may labour therein; and let them not regard vain words. New King James Version Let more work be laid on the men, that they may labor in it, and let them not regard false words.” New American Standard Bible Let the labor be heavier on the men, and have them work at it so that they will pay no attention to false words.” NASB 1995 “Let the labor be heavier on the men, and let them work at it so that they will pay no attention to false words.” NASB 1977 “Let the labor be heavier on the men, and let them work at it that they may pay no attention to false words.” Legacy Standard Bible Let their slavery be hard on the men, and let them work at it so that they will have no regard for false words.” Amplified Bible Let labor be heavier on the men, and let them work [hard] at it so that they will pay no attention to [their God’s] lying words.” Berean Annotated Bible Make the work harder on the men so they will be occupied and pay no attention to these lies. Christian Standard Bible Impose heavier work on the men. Then they will be occupied with it and not pay attention to deceptive words.” Holman Christian Standard Bible Impose heavier work on the men. Then they will be occupied with it and not pay attention to deceptive words.” American Standard Version Let heavier work be laid upon the men, that they may labor therein; and let them not regard lying words. Contemporary English Version Make them work so hard that they won't have time to listen to these lies. English Revised Version Let heavier work be laid upon the men, that they may labour therein; and let them not regard lying words. GOD'S WORD® Translation Make the work harder for these people so that they will be too busy to listen to lies." Good News Translation Make them work harder and keep them busy, so that they won't have time to listen to a pack of lies." International Standard Version So increase the work load on the people, and let them do it so they don't pay attention to deceptive speeches." NET Bible Make the work harder for the men so they will keep at it and pay no attention to lying words!" New Heart English Bible Let heavier work be laid on the men, so they may labor at it and pay no attention to lying words." Webster's Bible Translation Let more work be laid upon the men, that they may labor therein: and let them not regard vain words. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleMake the work harder on the men so they will be occupied and pay no attention to these lies.” World English Bible Let heavier work be laid on the men, that they may labor in it. Don’t let them pay any attention to lying words.” Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionlet the service be heavy on the men, and let them work at it, and not be dazzled by lying words.” Berean Literal Bible Let the service be heavy on the men, and let them be occupied with it. And let them not pay attention to lying words.” Young's Literal Translation let the service be heavy on the men, and let them work at it, and not be dazzled by lying words.' Smith's Literal Translation The work shall be heavy upon the men, and they shall work in it, and they shall not look upon empty words. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleLet them be oppressed, with works, and let them fulfill them: that they may not regard lying words. Catholic Public Domain Version They shall be oppressed with works, and these shall occupy them, so that they may not agree to lying words.” New American Bible Increase the work for the men, so that they attend to it and not to deceitful words.” New Revised Standard Version Let heavier work be laid on them; then they will labor at it and pay no attention to deceptive words.” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleLet more work be assigned to the men, that they may be occupied, so that they may not think to engage in vain conversations. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated You will increase the work on the men and they will attend to it and they will not attend to empty words.” OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Let heavier work be laid upon the men, that they may labour therein; and let them not regard lying words.' Brenton Septuagint Translation Let the works of these men be made grievous, and let them care for these things, and not care for vain words. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Bricks and Straw…8But require of them the same quota of bricks as before; do not reduce it. For they are lazy; that is why they are crying out, ‘Let us go and sacrifice to our God.’ 9Make the work harder on the men so they will be occupied and pay no attention to these lies.” 10So the taskmasters and foremen of the people went out and said to them, “This is what Pharaoh says: ‘I am no longer giving you straw.… Cross References Make the work harder on the men Exodus 1:13-14 They worked the Israelites ruthlessly / and made their lives bitter with hard labor in brick and mortar, and with all kinds of work in the fields. Every service they imposed was harsh. 1 Kings 12:4 “Your father put a heavy yoke on us. But now you must lighten the burden of your father’s service and the heavy yoke he put on us, and we will serve you.” Deuteronomy 26:6 But the Egyptians mistreated us and afflicted us, putting us to hard labor. so they will be occupied Luke 10:40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations to be made. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her to help me!” 2 Timothy 2:4 A soldier refrains from entangling himself in civilian affairs, in order to please the one who enlisted him. 2 Thessalonians 3:11-12 For we hear that some of you are leading undisciplined lives, accomplishing nothing, but being busybodies. / We command and urge such people by our Lord Jesus Christ to begin working quietly to earn their own living. and pay no attention to these lies.” Jeremiah 28:15-17 Then the prophet Jeremiah said to the prophet Hananiah, “Listen, Hananiah! The LORD did not send you, but you have persuaded this people to trust in a lie. / Therefore this is what the LORD says: ‘I am about to remove you from the face of the earth. You will die this year because you have preached rebellion against the LORD.’” / And in the seventh month of that very year, the prophet Hananiah died. Jeremiah 29:8-9 For this is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: “Do not be deceived by the prophets and diviners among you, and do not listen to the dreams you elicit from them. / For they are falsely prophesying to you in My name; I have not sent them, declares the LORD.” 2 Thessalonians 2:11-12 For this reason God will send them a powerful delusion so that they believe the lie, / in order that judgment may come upon all who have disbelieved the truth and delighted in wickedness. Exodus 1:11-14 So the Egyptians appointed taskmasters over the Israelites to oppress them with forced labor. As a result, they built Pithom and Rameses as store cities for Pharaoh. / But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and flourished; so the Egyptians came to dread the Israelites. / They worked the Israelites ruthlessly … Exodus 6:9 Moses relayed this message to the Israelites, but on account of their broken spirit and cruel bondage, they did not listen to him. Exodus 14:12 Did we not say to you in Egypt, ‘Leave us alone so that we may serve the Egyptians’? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness.” Exodus 2:23-24 After a long time, the king of Egypt died. The Israelites groaned and cried out under their burden of slavery, and their cry for deliverance from bondage ascended to God. / So God heard their groaning, and He remembered His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Exodus 3:7-9 The LORD said, “I have indeed seen the affliction of My people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their oppressors, and I am aware of their sufferings. / I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land to a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey—the home of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites. / And now the cry of the Israelites has reached Me, and I have seen how severely the Egyptians are oppressing them. Exodus 4:29-31 Then Moses and Aaron went and assembled all the elders of the Israelites, / and Aaron relayed everything the LORD had said to Moses. And Moses performed the signs before the people, / and they believed. And when they heard that the LORD had attended to the Israelites and had seen their affliction, they bowed down and worshiped. Exodus 7:3-4 But I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and though I will multiply My signs and wonders in the land of Egypt, / Pharaoh will not listen to you. Then I will lay My hand on Egypt, and by mighty acts of judgment I will bring the divisions of My people the Israelites out of the land of Egypt. Treasury of Scripture Let there more work be laid on the men, that they may labor therein; and let them not regard vain words. 2 Kings 18:20 Thou sayest, (but they are but vain words,) I have counsel and strength for the war. Now on whom dost thou trust, that thou rebellest against me? Job 16:3 Shall vain words have an end? or what emboldeneth thee that thou answerest? Jeremiah 43:2 Then spake Azariah the son of Hoshaiah, and Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the proud men, saying unto Jeremiah, Thou speakest falsely: the LORD our God hath not sent thee to say, Go not into Egypt to sojourn there: Jump to Previous Attention Dazzled Harder Heavier Heavy Labour Laid Pay Regard Service Therein Vain Words Work WorkingJump to Next Attention Dazzled Harder Heavier Heavy Labour Laid Pay Regard Service Therein Vain Words Work WorkingExodus 5 1. Pharaoh chides Moses and Aaron for their message.6. He increases the Israelites' task. 16. He ignores their complaints. 19. They cry out to Moses and Aaron. 22. Moses complains to God. Make the work harder on the men This phrase reflects Pharaoh's response to Moses and Aaron's request to let the Israelites go to worship God. Pharaoh's decision to increase the workload is a tactic to suppress any thoughts of rebellion or freedom among the Israelites. Historically, the Israelites were enslaved in Egypt, forced into hard labor, particularly in brick-making. This increased burden is a form of oppression meant to break their spirit. Theologically, it highlights the spiritual bondage of sin, drawing a parallel to the New Testament where Jesus offers freedom from sin (John 8:34-36). so they will be occupied and pay no attention to these lies.” Persons / Places / Events 1. PharaohThe ruler of Egypt who opposes Moses and the Israelites. He is a central figure in the account, representing the oppressive force against God's people. 2. Moses and Aaron God's chosen leaders to deliver the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. They confront Pharaoh with God's command to let His people go. 3. The Israelites The descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who are enslaved in Egypt. They are the recipients of God's promise of deliverance. 4. Egypt The land where the Israelites are enslaved. It symbolizes bondage and oppression in the biblical account. 5. Taskmasters Egyptian overseers who enforce Pharaoh's harsh labor demands on the Israelites, increasing their burdens. Teaching Points The Nature of OppressionPharaoh's strategy to increase the Israelites' workload is a tactic to suppress their hope and distract them from God's promises. In our lives, we must recognize when worldly pressures attempt to divert our focus from God's truth. Spiritual Warfare Just as Pharaoh sought to keep the Israelites from listening to Moses, spiritual forces today aim to keep us from hearing and believing God's Word. We must be vigilant in maintaining our spiritual focus. God's Faithfulness Amidst Trials Despite the increased oppression, God's plan for deliverance was still in motion. We can trust that God is working for our good, even when circumstances seem to worsen. The Power of Lies Pharaoh refers to Moses' message as "lies," illustrating how truth can be distorted by those in power. We must discern truth from falsehood by grounding ourselves in Scripture. Endurance in Faith The Israelites' experience teaches us the importance of perseverance. When faced with trials, we should hold fast to God's promises and seek His strength. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Exodus 5:9?2. How does Exodus 5:9 illustrate the consequences of ignoring God's commands? 3. What does "make the work harder" reveal about Pharaoh's heart towards Israelites? 4. How can Exodus 5:9 be related to spiritual oppression today? 5. In what ways can believers resist discouragement when facing increased burdens? 6. How does this verse challenge us to trust God amidst life's difficulties? 7. Why did Pharaoh increase the Israelites' workload in Exodus 5:9? 8. How does Exodus 5:9 reflect on God's plan for the Israelites? 9. What does Exodus 5:9 reveal about the nature of oppression? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Exodus 5? 11. What similarities exist between Moses and Jesus? 12. How does Schleiermacher's theology challenge traditional sin and salvation? 13. Mark 3:29: How does the unforgivable sin of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit align with or contradict the broader biblical teaching of a merciful and forgiving God? 14. Why does God allow injustice and suffering to persist? What Does Exodus 5:9 Mean Make the work harder on the menPharaoh’s first move is blunt: “Make the work harder on the men.” He is weaponizing labor as a tool of oppression. • The Israelites were already under heavy burdens (Exodus 1:13–14), yet Pharaoh orders an escalation. • He frames the matter as an economic necessity in Exodus 5:4–5, claiming Moses and Aaron are distracting the people from their tasks. • The narrative is literal history: real bricks, real quotas, real whips. God will later answer this cruelty with real, historical plagues (Exodus 7–12). • This tactic—raising pressure to crush faith—mirrors how enemies of God’s people work elsewhere: see Nehemiah 4:10–11, where extra rubble and threat of attack are aimed at halting wall builders. so they will be occupied Pharaoh’s stated goal is to keep Israel “occupied.” • Busyness can be a bondage in itself. By filling every waking moment with toil, Pharaoh hopes to crowd out thought of worship. • Compare Exodus 4:29–31, where the people had just paused long enough to believe and bow low in worship. Their brief spiritual awakening alarmed Pharaoh. • The Lord had commanded a three-day journey into the wilderness to hold a feast to Him (Exodus 3:18). Pharaoh’s reaction shows he fears any margin that might let Israel obey God. • The same dynamic surfaces later when Jesus warns that “the cares of this life” choke the word (Luke 21:34; Mark 4:19). Overwork can still blunt spiritual hunger. and pay no attention to these lies Pharaoh labels God’s word “lies.” • Unbelief often brands truth as deception; see 2 Kings 18:29–35, where Assyria calls the Lord powerless. • Moses had performed signs authenticating his message (Exodus 4:2–9), yet Pharaoh dismisses both messenger and miracles. • Behind Pharaoh’s accusation stands the father of lies (John 8:44). The conflict is not merely social or political; it is spiritual. • Acts 5:28 shows the same pattern: authorities accuse the apostles of spreading falsehood while they themselves oppose God. summary Exodus 5:9 records a calculated strategy: intensify oppression, overcrowd daily life, and discredit God’s word. Pharaoh believes that harsher labor will erase hope and sever Israel’s trust in the Lord. Instead, his cruelty sets the stage for God to display unmatched power and faithfulness, proving that no amount of forced labor can nullify divine promises. (9) Let them not regard vain words.--Or, false words. The reference is to the promises of deliverance wherewith Moses and Aaron had raised the people's hopes (Exodus 4:30). Pharaoh supposed these to be "vain words," as Sennacherib did those spoken by Hezekiah (2Kings 18:20).Verse 9. - Let there more work be laid upon the men. Rather, as in the margin, "Let the work be heavy upon the men." Let the tasks set them be such as to occupy all their time, and not leave them any spare moments in which they may be tempted to listen to mischievous talkers, like Moses and Aaron) who flatter them with vain (literally, lying, words. Pharaoh, no doubt, imagined that the hopes raised by the two brothers were vain and illusive. He was utterly blind as to the course which events were about to take. CHAPTER 5:10-14 Hebrew Make the work harderתִּכְבַּ֧ד (tiḵ·baḏ) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular Strong's 3513: To be heavy, weighty, or burdensome on עַל־ (‘al-) Preposition Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against the men הָאֲנָשִׁ֖ים (hā·’ă·nā·šîm) Article | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person so they will be occupied וְיַעֲשׂוּ־ (wə·ya·‘ă·śū-) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 6213: To do, make and pay no attention יִשְׁע֖וּ (yiš·‘ū) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 8159: To gaze at, about, to inspect, consider, compassionate, be nonplussed, bewildered to [these] lies.” שָֽׁקֶר׃ (šā·qer) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 8267: Deception, disappointment, falsehood Links Exodus 5:9 NIVExodus 5:9 NLT Exodus 5:9 ESV Exodus 5:9 NASB Exodus 5:9 KJV Exodus 5:9 BibleApps.com Exodus 5:9 Biblia Paralela Exodus 5:9 Chinese Bible Exodus 5:9 French Bible Exodus 5:9 Catholic Bible OT Law: Exodus 5:9 Let heavier work be laid (Exo. 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