5:15 1 The Israelite foremen went and cried out to Pharaoh, “Why are you treating 2 your servants this way?
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.
2 tn The imperfect tense should be classified here with the progressive imperfect nuance, because the harsh treatment was a present reality.