Exodus 5:7
You shall no more give the people straw to make brick, as heretofore: let them go and gather straw for themselves.
Treasury of Scripture

straw. The straw was mixed with clay, in order to make the bricks. This is expressly affirmed by Philo who was himself a native of Alexandria, in Egypt. He says, describing the oppression of the Israelites, that some were obliged to work in clay, and others to gather straw for the formation of bricks. Philo's account is confirmed by Dr. Shaw, who says that some of the Egyptian pyramids are made of brick, the composition whereof is only a mixture of clay, mud, and straw, slightly blended and kneaded together, and afterwards baked in the sun. The straw, which keeps the bricks together, and still preserves its original colour, seems to be a proof that these bricks were never burnt or made in kilns. The same materials are now used for building in Egypt. Mr. Baumgarten says, The houses are for the most part of bricks that are only hardened by the heat of the sun, and mixed with straw to make them firm.



Context
Bricks and Straw

6And Pharaoh commanded the same day the taskmasters of the people, and their officers, saying, 7You shall no more give the people straw to make brick, as heretofore: let them go and gather straw for themselves. 8And the tale of the bricks, which they did make heretofore, you shall lay on them; you shall not diminish ought thereof: for they be idle; therefore they cry, saying, Let us go and sacrifice to our God. 9Let there more work be laid on the men, that they may labor therein; and let them not regard vain words. 10And the taskmasters of the people went out, and their officers, and they spoke to the people, saying, Thus said Pharaoh, I will not give you straw. 11Go you, get you straw where you can find it: yet not ought of your work shall be diminished. 12So the people were scattered abroad throughout all the land of Egypt to gather stubble instead of straw. 13And the taskmasters hurried them, saying, Fulfill your works, your daily tasks, as when there was straw. 14And the officers of the children of Israel, which Pharaoh's taskmasters had set over them, were beaten, and demanded, Why have you not fulfilled your task in making brick both yesterday and to day, as heretofore?
Parallel Verses
American Standard Version
Ye shall no more give the people straw to make brick, as heretofore: let them go and gather straw for themselves.


Douay-Rheims Bible
You shall give straw no more to the people to make brick, as before: but let them go and gather straw.


Darby Bible Translation
Ye shall no more give the people straw to make brick, as heretofore: let them go and gather straw for themselves.


King James Bible
Ye shall no more give the people straw to make brick, as heretofore: let them go and gather straw for themselves.


Young's Literal Translation
'Ye do not add to give straw to the people for the making of the bricks, as heretofore -- they go and have gathered straw for themselves;


Exodus 5:6
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