Exodus 5

“And afterward Moses and Aaron went in, and told Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Let my people go, that…” Naming Aaron keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And Pharaoh said, Who is the LORD , that I should obey his voice to let Israel go? I know not the LORD , neither will…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“And they said, The God of the Hebrews hath met with us: let us go, we pray thee, three days’ journey into the desert…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And the king of Egypt said unto them, Wherefore do ye, Moses and Aaron, let the people from their works? get you unto…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“And Pharaoh said, Behold, the people of the land now are many, and ye make them rest from their burdens.” Naming Pharaoh keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And Pharaoh commanded the same day the taskmasters of the people, and their officers, saying,” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Ye shall no more give the people straw to make brick, as heretofore: let them go and gather straw for themselves.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And the tale of the bricks, which they did make heretofore, ye shall lay upon them; ye shall not diminish ought…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Let there more work be laid upon the men, that they may labour therein; and let them not regard vain words.” The line’s distinctive content terms include labour, laid, regard. Its relationship to verses 10 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And the taskmasters of the people went out, and their officers, and they spake to the people, saying, Thus saith…” Naming Pharaoh keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Go ye, get you straw where ye can find it: yet not ought of your work shall be diminished.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“So the people were scattered abroad throughout all the land of Egypt to gather stubble instead of straw.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“And the taskmasters hasted them, saying, Fulfil your works, your daily tasks, as when there was straw.” Naming Fulfil keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the officers of the children of Israel, which Pharaoh’s taskmasters had set over them, were beaten, and demanded…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“Then the officers of the children of Israel came and cried unto Pharaoh, saying, Wherefore dealest thou thus with thy…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“There is no straw given unto thy servants, and they say to us, Make brick: and, behold, thy servants are beaten; but…” Naming Make keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“But he said, Ye are idle, ye are idle: therefore ye say, Let us go and do sacrifice to the LORD .” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Go therefore now, and work; for there shall no straw be given you, yet shall ye deliver the tale of bricks.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And the officers of the children of Israel did see that they were in evil case, after it was said, Ye shall not minish…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And they met Moses and Aaron, who stood in the way, as they came forth from Pharaoh:” Naming Aaron and Moses keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And they said unto them, The LORD look upon you, and judge; because ye have made our savour to be abhorred in the eyes…” Naming Pharaoh keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And Moses returned unto the LORD , and said, Lord, wherefore hast thou so evil entreated this people? why is it that…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“For since I came to Pharaoh to speak in thy name, he hath done evil to this people; neither hast thou delivered thy…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.