Exodus 5:10

10 And the taskmasters of the people went out, and their officers, and they spoke to the people, saying, Thus saith Pharaoh, I will not give you firewood.

Exodus 5:10 Meaning and Commentary

Exodus 5:10

And the taskmasters of the people went out
From the presence of Pharaoh, out of his court, to the respective places where they were set to see that the Israelites did their work:

and their officers;
the officers of the Israelites, who were under the taskmasters, and answerable to them for the work of the people, and their tale of bricks:

and they spake to the people, saying, thus saith Pharaoh, I will not
give you straw;
that is, any longer, as he had used to do.

Exodus 5:10 In-Context

8 And the tally of the bricks which they made before, ye shall lay upon them; ye shall not diminish any of it; for they are idle; therefore they cry, saying, Let us go and sacrifice to our God.

9 Let more work be laid upon them that they may occupy themselves with it; and let them not regard words of deception.

10 And the taskmasters of the people went out, and their officers, and they spoke to the people, saying, Thus saith Pharaoh, I will not give you firewood.

11 Go ye, gather firewood where ye can find it; yet none of your work shall be diminished.

12 So the people were scattered abroad throughout all the land of Egypt to gather brush for firewood.