Exo 5:7 | NET2full | STEP | “You must no longer give straw to the people for making bricks as before . Let them go and collect straw for themselves.

‏ Exodus 5:7

7 “You must no longer ^{▼▼tn The construction is a verbal hendiadys: לֹא תֹאסִפוּן לָתֵת (loʾ toʾsifun latet, “you must not add to give”). The imperfect tense acts adverbially, and the infinitive becomes the main verb of the clause: “you must no longer give.”} give straw to the people for making bricks ^{▼▼tn The expression “for making bricks” is made of the infinitive construct followed by its cognate accusative: לִלְבֹּן הַלְּבֵנִים (lilbon hallevenim).} as before. ^{▼▼tn Heb “as yesterday and three days ago” or “as yesterday and before that.” This is idiomatic for “as previously” or “as in the past.”} Let them go ^{▼▼tn The jussive יֵלְכוּ (yelekhu) and its following sequential verb would have the force of decree and not permission or advice. He is telling them to go and find straw or stubble for the bricks.} and collect straw for themselves.