1. Exodus 5:3 (ESV)
  2. Exposition

What is the difference between Moses’ words to Pharaoh in verse 1 and verse 3?

Exodus 5:3 (ESV)

3 Then they said, “The God of the Hebrews has met with us. Please let us go a three days’ journey into the wilderness that we may sacrifice to the LORD our God, lest he fall upon us with pestilence or with the sword.”

In Exodus 5:1 Moses gives an order; now he tries to convince with arguments. In Exodus 5:1 Moses speaks on behalf of God; in Exodus 5:3 he speaks on behalf of the people. In Exodus 5:1 he calls Yahweh the God of Israel; in Exodus 5:3 he calls God the God of the Hebrews.