This verse from Exodus 5:12 describes a harsh consequence imposed on the Israelite slaves in Egypt after Moses and Aaron petitioned Pharaoh to let them go. To understand the verse, we need to consider the context:
The Israelites' Task: The Israelites were tasked with making bricks. A key ingredient in these bricks was straw, which acted as a binding agent.
Pharaoh's Decree: Pharaoh, angered by Moses' request, decided to make the Israelites' lives even harder. He removed the provision of straw, forcing them to find it themselves.
Scattered Abroad: "Scattered abroad throughout all the land of Egypt" means that the Israelites were dispersed across the entire region, no longer working in a centralized location. They had to leave their brick-making stations and search far and wide.
Gather Stubble for Straw: "Stubble" refers to the stalks of grain left in the fields after harvesting. The Israelites were forced to gather this stubble and use it in place of the straw that Pharaoh had previously provided. This was a much more difficult and time-consuming task, as stubble is less effective as a binding agent than proper straw.
In essence, the verse means that the Israelite slaves were dispersed throughout Egypt, forced to scavenge for scraps of leftover grain stalks to use in their brick-making, all while maintaining the same brick quota.
This verse highlights the increased burden and suffering placed upon the Israelites. It illustrates Pharaoh's cruelty and his determination to resist God's will. The task was meant to be so difficult and time-consuming that they would have no time to even think about rebelling.
This verse from Exodus 5:12 describes a harsh consequence imposed on the Israelite slaves in Egypt after Moses and Aaron petitioned Pharaoh to let them go. To understand the verse, we need to consider the context:
The Israelites' Task: The Israelites were tasked with making bricks. A key ingredient in these bricks was straw, which acted as a binding agent.
Pharaoh's Decree: Pharaoh, angered by Moses' request, decided to make the Israelites' lives even harder. He removed the provision of straw, forcing them to find it themselves.
Scattered Abroad: "Scattered abroad throughout all the land of Egypt" means that the Israelites were dispersed across the entire region, no longer working in a centralized location. They had to leave their brick-making stations and search far and wide.
Gather Stubble for Straw: "Stubble" refers to the stalks of grain left in the fields after harvesting. The Israelites were forced to gather this stubble and use it in place of the straw that Pharaoh had previously provided. This was a much more difficult and time-consuming task, as stubble is less effective as a binding agent than proper straw.
In essence, the verse means that the Israelite slaves were dispersed throughout Egypt, forced to scavenge for scraps of leftover grain stalks to use in their brick-making, all while maintaining the same brick quota.
This verse highlights the increased burden and suffering placed upon the Israelites. It illustrates Pharaoh's cruelty and his determination to resist God's will. The task was meant to be so difficult and time-consuming that they would have no time to even think about rebelling.