Exo 5:7 | NETfull | 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 ^{▼▼ The construction is a verbal hendiadys: לֹא תֹאסִפוּן לָתֵת (lo’ to’sifun 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 ^{▼▼ The expression “for making bricks” is made of the infinitive construct followed by its cognate accusative: לִלְבֹּן הַלְּבֵנִים (lilbon hall^evenim).} as before. ^{▼▼ 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 ^{▼▼ The jussive יֵלְכוּ (yel^ekhu) 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.