Shemot 5:10

10 And the nogesim of HaAm went out, and their foremen; they spoke to HaAm, saying, Thus saith Pharaoh, I will not give you straw.

Shemot 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.

Shemot 5:10 In-Context

8 And the matkonet (quota) of the bricks, which they did make heretofore, ye shall lay upon them; ye shall not diminish ought thereof; for they are idle; therefore they cry out, saying, Let us go and sacrifice to Eloheinu.

9 Let there more avodah be laid upon the anashim, that they may labor therein; and let them not regard divrei sheker.

10 And the nogesim of HaAm went out, and their foremen; they spoke to HaAm, saying, Thus saith Pharaoh, I will not give you straw.

11 Go ye, get you straw where ye can find it; yet not ought of your avodah shall be diminished.

12 So HaAm were scattered abroad throughout kol Eretz Mitzrayim to gather stubble instead of straw.