And Pharaoh said, “Behold, the people of the land are now many, and you make them rest from their burdens!”
Finding that Pharaoh had no veneration at all for God, Moses and Aaron next try whether he had any compassion for Israel, and become humble suitors to him for leave to go and sacrifice, but in vain. I. Their request is very humble and modest, Exo 5:3. They make no complaint of the rigour they were ruled with.
Commenting on Exodus 5:3-9
And Pharaoh said, behold, the people of the land now are many,.... So that if some were taken off, as suggested, there were enough of them to do business and so he cared not; but if allowed to go, they might mutiny and rebel, and give a great deal of trouble to quell them; or it may be, the sense is, they were very numerous...
And Pharaoh said, Behold, the people of the land now [are] many, and ye make them rest from their burdens. (c) As though you would rebel.