Exo 5:8 | NETfull | STEP | But you must require of them the same quota of bricks that they were making before. Do not reduce it, for they are slackers. That is why they are crying, ‘Let us go sacrifice to our God.’

Exodus 5:8

8 But you must require ^{▼▼ The verb is the Qal imperfect of שִׂים (sim, “place, put”). The form could be an imperfect of instruction: “You will place upon them the quota.” Or, as here, it may be an obligatory imperfect: “You must place.”} of them the same quota of bricks that they were making before. ^{▼▼ Heb “yesterday and three days ago” or “yesterday and before that” is idiomatic for “previously” or “in the past.”} Do not reduce it, for they are slackers. ^{▼▼ Or “loafers.” The form נִרְפִּים (nirpim) is derived from the verb רָפָה (rafah), meaning “to be weak, to let oneself go.” They had been letting the work go, Pharaoh reasoned, and being idle is why they had time to think about going to worship.} That is why they are crying, ‘Let us go sacrifice to our God.’