'Straw' in the Bible

“You are no longer to give the people straw to make brick as previously; let them go and gather straw for themselves.

So the taskmasters of the people and their foremen went out and spoke to the people, saying, “Thus says Pharaoh, ‘I am not going to give you any straw.

You go and get straw for yourselves wherever you can find it, but none of your labor will be reduced.’”

So the people scattered through all the land of Egypt to gather stubble for straw.

The taskmasters pressed them, saying, “Complete your work quota, your daily amount, just as when you had straw.”

There is no straw given to your servants, yet they keep saying to us, ‘Make bricks!’ And behold, your servants are being beaten; but it is the fault of your own people.”

So go now and work; for you will be given no straw, yet you must deliver the quota of bricks.”