Exodus 5:19

19 The Israelite supervisors saw how impossible their situation was when they were commanded, "Don't reduce your daily quota of bricks."

Exodus 5:19 Meaning and Commentary

Exodus 5:19

And the officers of the children of Israel did see that they
were in evil case
In a bad condition and circumstances, and that there was no likelihood of their getting out of them, since Pharaoh treated them after this manner; they saw not only that the common people were in a bad condition, in great bondage, misery, and distress, to be obliged to get straw to make brick, and carry in their full tale as before; but that they themselves were in a bad situation, since for the deficiency in their people they were like to be beaten for it from time to time:

after it was said, ye shall not minish ought from your bricks of your
daily task;
after this had been said and confirmed by Pharaoh, they had no hope of things being better with them, but looked upon their unhappy lot as irretrievable.

Exodus 5:19 In-Context

17 Pharaoh replied, "You are lazy bums, nothing but lazy bums. That's why you say, ‘Let us go and offer sacrifices to the LORD.'

18 Go and get back to work! No straw will be given to you, but you still need to make the same number of bricks."

19 The Israelite supervisors saw how impossible their situation was when they were commanded, "Don't reduce your daily quota of bricks."

20 When they left Pharaoh, they met Moses and Aaron, who were waiting for them.

21 The supervisors said to them, "Let the LORD see and judge what you've done! You've made us stink in the opinion of Pharaoh and his servants. You've given them a reason to kill us."