Exodus 5:4-6
Moses <04872> [wherefore.]
refrain <06544> [let.]
{Taphreeoo,} from {pard,} to loose, disengage; and which we render let, from the Anglo-Saxon {lettan,} to hinder. Ye hinder the people from their work: "Get you unto your burdens." "Let religion alone and mind your work." The language not only of tyranny, but of thoughtless irreligion.
labor <05450> [burdens.]
masters <05065> [taskmasters.]
{Nogesim,} literally, exactors, oppressors. These taskmasters were Egyptians, (ch. 1:11,) but the officers were Hebrews. See ver. 14.
foremen <07860> [officers.]
{Shoterim,} from the Arabic {saytara,} to overlook, superintend, seems to denote, as {musaytar} in Arabic also does, overseers, superintendents. They may have been somewhat like the chiefs of trades, who are found in every city in the East; where every trade has a head, who is entrusted with authority over them, and is in some measure answerable for them to Government. Compare ch. 2:14.
