Exodus 5:10

10 So the taskmasters and the foremen of the people went out and said to the people, "Thus says Pharaoh, 'I will not give you straw.

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 But the number of bricks which they made heretofore you shall lay upon them, you shall by no means lessen it; for they are idle; therefore they cry, 'Let us go and offer sacrifice to our God.'

9 Let heavier work be laid upon the men that they may labor at it and pay no regard to lying words."

10 So the taskmasters and the foremen of the people went out and said to the people, "Thus says Pharaoh, 'I will not give you straw.

11 Go yourselves, get your straw wherever you can find it; but your work will not be lessened in the least.'"

12 So the people were scattered abroad throughout all the land of Egypt, to gather stubble for straw.