Exodus 5:21 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The officers accuse Moses and Aaron of making their situation worse and putting them in danger of death.
The Context of Exodus 5:21
The officers curse Moses and Aaron, blaming them for their destroyed reputation and mortal danger.
What Does Exodus 5:21 Mean?
'The LORD look upon you, and judge' is a prayer-curse: a formal invocation calling God to witness and judge the officers' accusation. By framing it as an appeal to the Lord, the officers claim moral authority and suggest that Moses and Aaron have acted contrary to God's will or at least have caused grave harm in God's name.
The specific grievance is clear: Moses and Aaron have destroyed the officers' standing with Pharaoh and his officials. 'Our savour to be abhorred' means their reputation, their credibility, their value in Egyptian eyes has been destroyed. The result is that they now face lethal violence—'a sword in their hand to slay us.'
Exodus 5:21 in the Original Language
reach (רֵיחַ), 'savour' or 'scent'—here metaphorically referring to their reputation, how they are perceived and valued.
Frequently Asked Questions About Exodus 5:21
What does Exodus 5:21 mean?
The officers accuse Moses and Aaron of making their situation worse and putting them in danger of death.
What is the context of Exodus 5:21?
The officers curse Moses and Aaron, blaming them for their destroyed reputation and mortal danger.