and they said to them, “The LORD look on you and judge, because you have made us stink in the sight of Pharaoh and his servants, and have put a sword in their hand to kill us.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
The Israelites aren't just complaining about hardship; they accuse Moses and Aaron of giving Pharaoh the pretext and the weapon to kill them. This shows their deep despair, where any hope for relief now feels like an invitation to destruction.
and they said to them, “The LORD look on you and judge, because you have made us stink in the sight of Pharaoh and his servants, and have put a sword in their hand to kill us.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
After Moses and Aaron deliver God's message and Pharaoh immediately increases the Israelites' workload, the Israelite foremen confront Moses and Aaron. They are filled with despair, feeling that their hope for freedom has just made their situation far worse and that they've been put in extreme danger by this intervention.
Have you ever felt like your efforts made things worse, leading others to blame you? The Israelites certainly did, and their anger turned on Moses and Aaron.
A Bitter Accusation
The Hebrew word for 'stink' here is incredibly vivid. It doesn't just mean 'disliked'; it means to be utterly repulsive, a foul odor that no one can stand. The Israelite officers, facing Pharaoh's renewed wrath, felt that Moses and Aaron's request for their release had made them, the officers, stink in the eyes of the Egyptians.
More Than Just Bad Odor
This wasn't just about losing face. The phrase 'put a sword in their hand to kill us' highlights the extreme danger they were now in. Pharaoh, angered by the perceived insolence and inability to meet demands, now had a reason—or at least a pretext—to violently suppress the Israelites. The officers felt that Moses and Aaron, by bringing this upon them, had effectively handed their executioners the weapon and the motive.
The officers invoke God's judgment on Moses and Aaron. What does this reveal about their understanding of God and their leaders?
Calling Down Judgment
When the officers say, 'The LORD look on you and judge,' it's not just a casual curse. They are calling upon the very God they claim to serve to witness the suffering they believe Moses and Aaron have caused. It’s an appeal to divine justice, but framed with bitter accusation.
Imprudent Leadership?
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From the officers' perspective, Moses and Aaron acted 'imprudently.' Their bold request, which seemed to backfire so dramatically, put the officers in a terrible position. They felt exposed and endangered by the actions of their own people's deliverers. This highlights a common human tendency: when things go wrong, we often look for someone to blame, even if that person is on our side and acting with good intentions.
Understand the original words
YHWH · Hebrew Proper Noun
The personal, covenantal name of God revealed to Israel, signifying His self-existence, faithfulness, and eternal nature. It is the name by which He makes Himself known to His people for the purpose of relationship and salvation.
ra'ah · Hebrew Verb
To observe, regard, or provide attention to someone or something. When applied to God, it signifies His active involvement, care, or judgment regarding the conditions of His people.
shaphat · Hebrew Verb
To act as a judge, execute justice, or arbitrate a dispute. It implies bringing a matter to a rightful conclusion, often involving the vindication of the innocent and the correction of wrong.
ba'ash · Hebrew Verb
Used here metaphorically to describe becoming abhorrent, repulsive, or offensive to others. It denotes the loss of favor or status, resulting in hostility or rejection.
Par'oh · Hebrew Proper Noun
Sovereign ruler of Egypt, representative of worldly power and opposition to God’s people. His name serves as a symbol of oppressive regimes that resist the divine will.
chereb · Hebrew Noun
A weapon of warfare, often used symbolically in Scripture to represent violence, death, and judgment. Being put in someone's hand signifies granting them the power or opportunity to inflict harm.
This verse captures the intense pressure and despair of the enslaved Israelites. Their own leaders, tasked with relaying Pharaoh's impossible demands, are blamed by their people, who fear the Egyptians will now kill them outright.
c. 1550–1295 BC
New Kingdom Period
Egypt experienced a period of great power and expansion. The Hebrews had lived in Egypt for generations, growing in number but also becoming a vulnerable enslaved population under a powerful empire.
c. 13th Century BC
Hebrews Enslaved
The Israelites were subjected to harsh forced labor by the Egyptian rulers, a situation that intensified over generations.
Unknown, but during the period of enslavement— this verse
Pharaoh Demands Increased Brick Production
Pharaoh increased the workload for the enslaved Israelites, demanding the same quotas of bricks with less straw. This impossible demand was delivered through Israelite foremen.
Unknown, following the increased demand
Israelite Foremen Confronted
The Israelite foremen (officers) were confronted by their own people after conveying Pharaoh's impossible demands, leading to this bitter exchange.
This passage also uses the strong Hebrew idiom translated as 'to stink,' expressing how deeply the actions of Jacob's sons had brought shame and disgrace upon their family name.
1 Samuel 13:4Here, the people's actions are described as making them 'stink' in the eyes of the Philistines, illustrating how disobedience and perceived weakness could lead to contempt and vulnerability from enemies.
2 Samuel 10:6This narrative depicts an instance where foreign nations felt shamed and humiliated, using the same idiom to express how they were viewed with utter contempt.
Romans 14:13While different in context, Paul uses the concept of causing a brother to 'stumble' or 'fall,' which echoes the idea of leading someone into a dangerous or shameful position, much like the Israelite officers feared they had done.
Psalm 106:43This Psalm reflects on Israel's history, noting how God's people were repeatedly oppressed due to their actions, highlighting a pattern of suffering and judgment that can follow when a people's standing is compromised.
ellicottExodus 5:21: "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."
(21) Ye have made our savour to be abhorred. —Heb., to stink. An idiom common to the Hebrews with the Egyptians (Comp. Genesis 34:30 ; 1Samuel 13:4 ; 2Samuel 10:6 , &c, with Papyr. Anastas. 1:27, 7), and very expressive. The English idiom, “to be in bad odour with a person,” is…
gillExodus 5:21: "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."
And they said unto them, the Lord look upon you and judge,.... Or, "will look upon you and judge" (q); and so it is either a prediction of what would be done to them, or an imprecation on them that God would take notice of their conduct, and punish them, or at least chastise the…
The Israelites aren't just complaining about hardship; they accuse Moses and Aaron of giving Pharaoh the pretext and the weapon to kill them. This shows their deep despair, where any hope for relief now feels like an invitation to destruction.
After Moses and Aaron deliver God's message and Pharaoh immediately increases the Israelites' workload, the Israelite foremen confront Moses and Aaron. They are filled with despair, feeling that their hope for freedom has just made their situation far worse and that they've been put in extreme danger by this intervention.
After Moses and Aaron deliver God's message and Pharaoh immediately increases the Israelites' workload, the Israelite foremen confront Moses and Aaron. They are filled with despair, feeling that their hope for freedom has just made their situation far worse and that they've been put in extreme danger by this intervention.
"and they said to them, “The LORD look on you and judge, because you have made us stink in the sight of Pharaoh and his servants, and have put a sword in their hand to kill us.”" — The Israelites aren't just complaining about hardship; they accuse Moses and Aaron of giving Pharaoh the pretext and the weapon to kill them. This shows their deep despair, where any hope for rel…
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Last reviewed October 2026