Exodus 5:10

10 So the overseers and foremen of the people went out and said to them, "This is what Pharaoh says: 'I am not giving 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 require the same quota of bricks from them as they were making before; do not reduce it. For they are slackers-that is why they are crying out, 'Let us go and sacrifice to our God.'

9 Impose heavier work on the men. Then they will be occupied with it and not pay attention to deceptive words."

10 So the overseers and foremen of the people went out and said to them, "This is what Pharaoh says: 'I am not giving you straw.

11 Go get straw yourselves wherever you can find it, but there will be no reduction at all in your workload.' "

12 So the people scattered throughout the land of Egypt to gather stubble for straw.