Let there more work be laid upon the men, that they may labour therein; and let them not regard vain words.

EXODUS 5:9KJV
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Exodus 5:9 (KJV)

What does Exodus 5:9 mean?

Exodus 5:9 records Pharaoh commanding that even more work be given to the Israelite men so they will stay busy and not pay attention to what he calls “vain words.” Pharaoh wants to keep the Israelites occupied with labor, discouraging them from listening to Moses’ message about freedom.

Pharaoh is speaking to his overseers and taskmasters after Moses and Aaron have asked him to let the Israelites go and worship God. Pharaoh responds by increasing the workload, accusing Moses and Aaron of distracting the people with empty promises. The verse shows Pharaoh’s attempt to control the Israelites by making their lives harder and dismissing any hope or message of deliverance as meaningless.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 5:9

  • “Work” (עֲבֹדָה, ʿavodah) refers to forced labor or servitude, highlighting the harsh conditions the Israelites faced as slaves.
  • “Vain” (שָׁקֶר, sheqer) means falsehood or lies. Pharaoh labels Moses’ words about God’s promise as deception, showing his refusal to take their God seriously.
  • “Regard” (שָׁעָה, shaʿah) means to pay attention or consider. Pharaoh’s command is not just about physical labor but about keeping the Israelites from even thinking about hope or change.

Why Exodus 5:9 matters

  • Exodus 5:9 clarifies that Pharaoh’s strategy was not just physical oppression but also psychological—he wanted to crush hope by calling God’s promises lies.
  • The verse connects to the larger story by showing why the Israelites’ suffering increased after Moses’ first request, setting up the dramatic tension for God’s intervention.
  • It helps explain the depth of the Israelites’ discouragement and why they sometimes doubted Moses, as Pharaoh’s tactics were meant to make them feel powerless and unheard.

Where else these words appear

“regard” Hebrew H8159 · used in 15 verses

  • Genesis 4:4 And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering:
  • Job 14:6 Turn from him, that he may rest, till he shall accomplish, as an hireling, his day.
  • Isaiah 22:4 Therefore said I, Look away from me; I will weep bitterly, labour not to comfort me, because of the spoiling of the daughter of my people.

“laid” Hebrew H3513 · used in 109 verses

  • Genesis 13:2 And Abram was very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold.
  • 2 Samuel 10:3 And the princes of the children of Ammon said unto Hanun their lord, Thinkest thou that David doth honour thy father, that he hath sent comforters unto thee? hath not David rather sent his servants unto thee, to search the city, and to spy it out, and to overthrow it?
  • Proverbs 12:9 He that is despised, and hath a servant, is better than he that honoureth himself, and lacketh bread.

“vain” Hebrew H8267 · used in 109 verses

  • Exodus 20:16 Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.
  • Psalms 144:11 Rid me, and deliver me from the hand of strange children, whose mouth speaketh vanity, and their right hand is a right hand of falsehood:
  • Jeremiah 8:8 How do ye say, We are wise, and the law of the LORD is with us? Lo, certainly in vain made he it; the pen of the scribes is in vain.

“work” Hebrew H5656 · used in 125 verses

  • Genesis 29:27 Fulfil her week, and we will give thee this also for the service which thou shalt serve with me yet seven other years.
  • Numbers 4:31 And this is the charge of their burden, according to all their service in the tabernacle of the congregation; the boards of the tabernacle, and the bars thereof, and the pillars thereof, and sockets thereof,
  • 1 Chronicles 23:26 And also unto the Levites; they shall no more carry the tabernacle, nor any vessels of it for the service thereof.