Exodus 5:7 Meaning and Explanation
“Ye shall no more give the people straw to make brick, as heretofore: let them go and gather straw for themselves.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Pharaoh orders that the people no longer receive straw for brickmaking but must find it themselves.
The Context of Exodus 5:7
Pharaoh changes the terms of labor by removing the supply of raw materials.
What Does Exodus 5:7 Mean?
This order increases the difficulty of brick production dramatically. Previously, straw was supplied by Egypt's system—the taskmasters provided it. Now the people must both find and gather their own straw while maintaining the same output quota. This is a clear punishment for the request to worship.
By shifting this burden to the people, Pharaoh keeps them occupied and exhausted, making further resistance or religious observance impossible. The order is punitive and designed to suppress any hope of freedom or religious practice.
Exodus 5:7 in the Original Language
teben (תֶּבֶן), 'straw' — the chaff or chopped stalks mixed into clay to bind bricks; essential to the brick-making process.
Frequently Asked Questions About Exodus 5:7
What does Exodus 5:7 mean?
Pharaoh orders that the people no longer receive straw for brickmaking but must find it themselves.
What is the context of Exodus 5:7?
Pharaoh changes the terms of labor by removing the supply of raw materials.