Exodus 5:12

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

Exodus 5:12 Meaning and Commentary

Exodus 5:12

So the people were scattered abroad throughout all the land of
Egypt
That part of it where they dwelt:

to gather stubble instead of straw;
straw not being easy to come at, they were obliged to gather stubble that was left in the fields, after the corn was gathered in. Ben Melech observes, that the word signifies small straw, or small sticks of wood, and Kimchi ^F13, and if so, this must be to burn the bricks with in the furnaces.

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FOOTNOTES:

F13 Sepher Shorash, rad. (vvq) .

Exodus 5:12 In-Context

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.

13 And the taskmasters hasted them, saying, Fulfil your works, your daily quotas, as when there was firewood.

14 And the officers of the sons of Israel, whom Pharaoh’s taskmasters had set over them, were beaten, and they demanded, Why have ye not fulfilled your quotas in making brick both yesterday and today, as until now?