Exodus 5:15

5:15 ¹ The Israelite foremen went and cried out to Pharaoh, “Why are you treating ²  your servants this way?

Exodus 12:26

12:26 When your children ask you, ‘What does this ceremony mean to you?’ ³  –

Exodus 14:15

14:15 The Lord said to Moses, “Why do you cry out to me? Tell the Israelites to move on. ⁴ 

Exodus 17:4

17:4 Then Moses cried out to the Lord, “What will I do with ⁵  this people? – a little more ⁶  and they will stone me!” ⁷ 

[5:15]  ¹ sn The last section of this event tells the effect of the oppression on Israel, first on the people (15-19) and then on Moses and Aaron (20-21). The immediate reaction of Israel was to cry to Pharaoh – something they would learn should be directed to God. When Pharaoh rebuffed them harshly, they turned bitterly against their leaders.

[5:15]  ² tn The imperfect tense should be classified here with the progressive imperfect nuance, because the harsh treatment was a present reality.

[12:26]  ³ tn Heb “what is this service to you?”

[14:15]  ⁵ tn The text literally says, “speak to the Israelites that they may journey.” The intent of the line, using the imperative with the subordinate jussive or imperfect expressing purpose is that the speaking is the command to move.

[17:4]  ⁷ tn The preposition lamed (ל) is here specification, meaning “with respect to” (see R. J. Williams, Hebrew Syntax, 49, §273).

[17:4]  ⁸ tn Or “they are almost ready to stone me.”

[17:4]  ⁹ tn The perfect tense with the vav (ו) consecutive almost develops an independent force; this is true in sentences where it follows an expression of time, as here (see GKC 334 §112.x).