And they said unto them, The LORD look upon you, and judge; because ye have made our savour to be abhorred in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of his servants, to put a sword in their hand to slay us.

EXODUS 5:21KJV
Know the Bible

Exodus 5:21 (KJV)

What does Exodus 5:21 mean?

Exodus 5:21 shows the Israelite foremen blaming Moses and Aaron for making their situation worse with Pharaoh, saying that their actions have caused the Egyptians to hate them and given Pharaoh an excuse to harm them. The foremen ask God to judge Moses and Aaron for this outcome.

In this verse, the Israelite leaders are speaking directly to Moses and Aaron after Pharaoh increased their workload. The foremen feel betrayed and endangered, believing that Moses and Aaron’s request for freedom has only brought more suffering. Their words reveal fear, anger, and a sense of being trapped between Pharaoh’s cruelty and Moses’ leadership.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 5:21

  • "savour" (רֵיחַ, rêach): This word literally means "smell" or "odor." Here, it is used figuratively to describe reputation or how someone is regarded. The foremen feel that Moses and Aaron have made them "stink" in Pharaoh’s eyes, meaning they have become detestable or despised.
  • "abhorred" (בָּאַשׁ, ba’ash): This verb means "to stink" or "to be offensive." The foremen are saying their presence or reputation has become offensive to Pharaoh and his officials, not just disliked but actively repulsive.
  • "put a sword in their hand" (נָתַן, nathan + חֶרֶב, cherev + יָד, yad): This phrase is vivid, meaning to give someone the means or excuse to do harm. The foremen accuse Moses and Aaron of giving Pharaoh a reason or opportunity to kill them.

Why Exodus 5:21 matters

  • This verse clears up the misunderstanding that all Israelites immediately supported Moses; in reality, his actions first led to greater hardship and distrust among his own people.
  • The language about "savour" and "abhorred" highlights how reputation and perception played a crucial role in their suffering, not just physical oppression.
  • Exodus 5:21 connects to the wider passage by showing the tension and fear among the Israelites, setting the stage for Moses’ own doubts and God’s further intervention.

Where else these words appear

“abhorred” Hebrew H887 · used in 16 verses

  • Genesis 34:30 And Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, Ye have troubled me to make me to stink among the inhabitants of the land, among the Canaanites and the Perizzites: and I being few in number, they shall gather themselves together against me, and slay me; and I shall be destroyed, I and my house.
  • Exodus 16:24 And they laid it up till the morning, as Moses bade: and it did not stink, neither was there any worm therein.
  • 1 Chronicles 19:6 And when the children of Ammon saw that they had made themselves odious to David, Hanun and the children of Ammon sent a thousand talents of silver to hire them chariots and horsemen out of Mesopotamia, and out of Syriamaachah, and out of Zobah.

“savour” Hebrew H7381 · used in 55 verses

  • Genesis 8:21 And the LORD smelled a sweet savour; and the LORD said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake; for the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done.
  • Leviticus 17:6 And the priest shall sprinkle the blood upon the altar of the LORD at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and burn the fat for a sweet savour unto the LORD.
  • Numbers 29:6 Beside the burnt offering of the month, and his meat offering, and the daily burnt offering, and his meat offering, and their drink offerings, according unto their manner, for a sweet savour, a sacrifice made by fire unto the LORD.