Exodus 5:11 Meaning and Explanation
“Go ye, get you straw where ye can find it: yet not ought of your work shall be diminished.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The workers are commanded to find their own straw while maintaining the same work quota.
The Context of Exodus 5:11
Workers are given an impossible task: find materials while maintaining production.
What Does Exodus 5:11 Mean?
The instruction is cruel in its simplicity. Workers must now scavenge for straw across Egypt—a task that requires time and effort—while the daily brick quota remains fixed. This impossible demand ensures failure and sets up grounds for punishment.
'Not ought of your work shall be diminished' makes clear that the quota is absolute. No allowance is made for the additional time required to gather materials. The system is designed to be physically unachievable.
Frequently Asked Questions About Exodus 5:11
What does Exodus 5:11 mean?
The workers are commanded to find their own straw while maintaining the same work quota.
What is the context of Exodus 5:11?
Workers are given an impossible task: find materials while maintaining production.