There is no straw given unto thy servants, and they say to us, Make brick: and, behold, thy servants are beaten; but the fault is in thine own people.
No straw is being given to your servants, yet they tell us, 'Make bricks!' And look, your servants are being beaten, but the problem is with your own people.
The Israelite foremen are telling Pharaoh that his officials aren't providing the materials needed for brick-making, yet they're still demanding the same production and punishing the workers when they can't meet impossible quotas.
📚 Historical Context
In the book of Exodus, the Israelites were enslaved in Egypt and forced to make bricks as part of their labor for Pharaoh. When Moses and Aaron approached Pharaoh to request freedom for the Israelites to worship God, he responded by increasing their burdens, stopping the supply of straw needed for brick-making while still demanding the same production quotas. This led the Israelite foremen to complain directly to Pharaoh, as in this verse, highlighting the growing oppression and injustice they endured.
Explore Similar Verses
Ask the AI Assistant
Have a question about this chapter or verse? Ask below for a clear explanation.