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Exodus 5:12
ESV So the people were scattered throughout all the land of Egypt to gather stubble for straw.
NIV So the people scattered all over Egypt to gather stubble to use for straw.
NASB So the people scattered through all the land of Egypt to gather stubble for straw.
CSB So the people scattered throughout the land of Egypt to gather stubble for straw.
NLT So the people scattered throughout the land of Egypt in search of stubble to use as straw.
KJV So the people were scattered abroad throughout all the land of Egypt to gather stubble instead of straw.
NKJV So the people were scattered abroad throughout all the land of Egypt to gather stubble instead of straw.

What does Exodus 5:12 mean?

The people in this verse are the Hebrews, enslaved in Egypt for centuries (Exodus 1:13–14). Moses has confronted the Egyptian king, demanding the people be allowed time for worship (Exodus 5:1–4). Instead, the irritated Pharaoh has spitefully commanded the slaves to make their quota of bricks without being given straw, a major component (Exodus 5:5–11).

The result of this cruel command was to drastically increase the slaves' workload. This probably required all Hebrews, including women and children, to search everywhere for stalks of straw to be used for making bricks. Egyptians were masterful farmers, but the land itself was not naturally productive. Without Egyptian farmers providing the unused stems of crops, finding enough to continue making bricks would be an impossible task.

As Pharaoh intended, this will provide an excuse to punish the Israelites (Exodus 5:14). It will also inspire resentment against Moses (Exodus 5:20–21).
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