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

EXODUS 5:13KJV
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Exodus 5:13 (KJV)

What does Exodus 5:13 mean?

Exodus 5:13 describes how the Egyptian taskmasters pressured the Israelite slaves to keep up with their daily workload, insisting they complete the same amount of work as before, even though their conditions had just become much harder. The verse shows the harshness of the Egyptians, who demanded full production from the Israelites despite taking away the straw needed for making bricks.

In this scene, the Egyptian overseers are speaking to the Israelite workers, pushing them to finish their assigned tasks each day. The taskmasters are not easing up, even though Pharaoh has made the work much more difficult by no longer providing straw. This verse highlights the increasing oppression of the Israelites and sets the stage for their growing desperation and Moses’ later appeals to Pharaoh.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 5:13

  • The word for "taskmasters" is נֹגְשִׂים (nogeshim), meaning overseers or those who drive others to work. This emphasizes the forceful and harsh role these men played in pushing the Israelites.
  • "Hasted" comes from אָץ (ats), which means to urge or press quickly. This shows the urgency and pressure the Egyptians put on the Israelites, not allowing any slack despite the harder conditions.
  • "Fulfil" is from כָּלָה (kalah), often understood as to complete or finish something fully. The taskmasters are not just asking for effort—they demand the entire quota be met.
  • "Daily" is יוֹם (yom), meaning day or daily, which underlines that this was a constant, relentless expectation, not just a one-time demand.

Why Exodus 5:13 matters

  • This verse makes clear that the Israelites’ suffering was not just about hard labor, but about impossible demands and cruel treatment, which helps explain their later cries for help.
  • The insistence on meeting the same quota "as when there was straw" shows the deliberate injustice of Pharaoh’s policy, making the oppression systematic and intentional.
  • Understanding the pressure from the taskmasters helps readers see why Moses and Aaron’s mission to free the Israelites was so urgent and why the people were so discouraged.

Where else these words appear

“hasted” Hebrew H213 · used in 10 verses

  • Genesis 19:15 And when the morning arose, then the angels hastened Lot, saying, Arise, take thy wife, and thy two daughters, which are here; lest thou be consumed in the iniquity of the city.
  • Proverbs 19:2 Also, that the soul be without knowledge, it is not good; and he that hasteth with his feet sinneth.
  • Proverbs 29:20 Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words? there is more hope of a fool than of him.

“straw” Hebrew H8401 · used in 16 verses

  • Genesis 24:25 She said moreover unto him, We have both straw and provender enough, and room to lodge in.
  • Exodus 5:12 So the people were scattered abroad throughout all the land of Egypt to gather stubble instead of straw.
  • Job 21:18 They are as stubble before the wind, and as chaff that the storm carrieth away.

“taskmasters” Hebrew H5065 · used in 23 verses

  • Exodus 3:7 And the LORD said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows;
  • 1 Samuel 14:24 And the men of Israel were distressed that day: for Saul had adjured the people, saying, Cursed be the man that eateth any food until evening, that I may be avenged on mine enemies. So none of the people tasted any food.
  • Isaiah 14:2 And the people shall take them, and bring them to their place: and the house of Israel shall possess them in the land of the LORD for servants and handmaids: and they shall take them captives, whose captives they were; and they shall rule over their oppressors.

“was” Hebrew H1961 · used in 72 verses

  • Genesis 1:2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
  • Exodus 18:19 Hearken now unto my voice, I will give thee counsel, and God shall be with thee: Be thou for the people to God-ward, that thou mayest bring the causes unto God:
  • 2 Samuel 9:9 Then the king called to Ziba, Saul's servant, and said unto him, I have given unto thy master's son all that pertained to Saul and to all his house.