And they said, The God of the Hebrews hath met with us: let us go, we pray thee, three days' journey into the desert, and sacrifice unto the LORD our God; lest he fall upon us with pestilence, or with the sword.

EXODUS 5:3KJV
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Exodus 5:3 (KJV)

What does Exodus 5:3 mean?

Exodus 5:3 records Moses and Aaron telling Pharaoh that the God of the Hebrews has met with them and is commanding them to travel three days into the desert to offer sacrifices to the LORD, warning that if they do not obey, they risk punishment by pestilence or the sword. This verse shows Moses and Aaron respectfully asking Pharaoh for permission to worship their God as instructed, while also expressing concern for the consequences of disobedience.

In this scene, Moses and Aaron are speaking directly to Pharaoh, explaining why they need to leave Egypt temporarily. They identify their God as "the God of the Hebrews" and emphasize that this request is not just their own idea, but a divine command. Their mention of possible pestilence or the sword highlights the seriousness of obeying God's instructions, both for themselves and potentially for Egypt.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 5:3

  • אֱלֹהֵי (Elohei, "God") and יְהוָה (YHWH, "LORD"): The verse uses both the general term for God (Elohim) and the specific name YHWH, making clear that the request comes from the God uniquely worshiped by the Hebrews, not just any deity.
  • עִבְרִים (ʿIvrim, "Hebrews"): By calling themselves Hebrews, Moses and Aaron connect their identity to their ancestors and set themselves apart from the Egyptians, reinforcing that this is a unique, covenant-based relationship with God.
  • זָבַח (zavach, "sacrifice"): The word for "sacrifice" refers to a specific act of worship involving offerings, not just a general religious ceremony. This detail shows the request is about fulfilling a core religious duty, not simply taking a break from labor.
  • דֶּרֶךְ (derekh, "journey"): The phrase "three days' journey" uses a common way of measuring travel in the ancient world, indicating a significant but not impossible distance—enough to leave Egyptian territory for proper worship.

Why Exodus 5:3 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Moses and Aaron’s request was not simply to escape, but to fulfill a religious obligation, which frames the conflict as one of worship and obedience to God rather than just a labor dispute.
  • The warning about pestilence or the sword shows that the Israelites believed there were real consequences for ignoring God's commands, adding urgency and seriousness to their request.
  • By identifying God as "the God of the Hebrews," the verse highlights the distinct identity and calling of the Israelites, setting the stage for the ongoing conflict between Pharaoh’s authority and God’s demands.

Where else these words appear

“met” Hebrew H7122 · used in 16 verses

  • Genesis 42:4 But Benjamin, Joseph's brother, Jacob sent not with his brethren; for he said, Lest peradventure mischief befall him.
  • Deuteronomy 22:6 If a bird's nest chance to be before thee in the way in any tree, or on the ground, whether they be young ones, or eggs, and the dam sitting upon the young, or upon the eggs, thou shalt not take the dam with the young:
  • Job 4:14 Fear came upon me, and trembling, which made all my bones to shake.

“Hebrews” Hebrew H5680 · used in 32 verses

  • Genesis 14:13 And there came one that had escaped, and told Abram the Hebrew; for he dwelt in the plain of Mamre the Amorite, brother of Eshcol, and brother of Aner: and these were confederate with Abram.
  • Exodus 2:7 Then said his sister to Pharaoh's daughter, Shall I go and call to thee a nurse of the Hebrew women, that she may nurse the child for thee?
  • 1 Samuel 4:6 And when the Philistines heard the noise of the shout, they said, What meaneth the noise of this great shout in the camp of the Hebrews? And they understood that the ark of the LORD was come into the camp.

“fall” Hebrew H6293 · used in 43 verses

  • Genesis 23:8 And he communed with them, saying, If it be your mind that I should bury my dead out of my sight; hear me, and intreat for me to Ephron the son of Zohar,
  • Joshua 19:34 And then the coast turneth westward to Aznothtabor, and goeth out from thence to Hukkok, and reacheth to Zebulun on the south side, and reacheth to Asher on the west side, and to Judah upon Jordan toward the sunrising.
  • 1 Kings 2:34 So Benaiah the son of Jehoiada went up, and fell upon him, and slew him: and he was buried in his own house in the wilderness.

“pestilence” Hebrew H1698 · used in 48 verses

  • Exodus 9:3 Behold, the hand of the LORD is upon thy cattle which is in the field, upon the horses, upon the asses, upon the camels, upon the oxen, and upon the sheep: there shall be a very grievous murrain.
  • Psalms 91:6 Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.
  • Jeremiah 42:22 Now therefore know certainly that ye shall die by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence, in the place whither ye desire to go and to sojourn.