straw Summary and Overview

Used in brick-making (Ex. 5:7-18). Used figuratively in Job 41:27; Isa. 11:7; 25:10; 65:25.

Both wheat and barley straw were used by the ancient Hebrews chiefly as fodder for the horses cattle and camels. #Ge 24:25; 1Ki 4:28; Isa 11:7; 66:25| There is no intimation that straw was used for litter. It was employed by the Egyptians for making bricks, #Ex 5:7,16| being chopped up and mixed with the clay to make them more compact and to prevent their cracking. [See BRICK] The ancient Egyptians reaped their corn close to the ear, and afterward cut the straw close to the ground and laid it by. This was the straw that Pharaoh refused to give to the Israelites who were therefore compelled to gather "stubble" instead --a matter of considerable difficulty, seeing that the straw itself had been cut off near to the ground.

STRAW . Gen 24:25. The straw wanted by the Jews for bricks, Ex 5:7-18, was to lay them on when fresh moulded. For want of it their mould fell in pieces. and their work was vain.

teben. The Egyptians reaped grain close to the ear, afterward they cut the straw close to the ground and laid the straw by Pharaoh refused this straw to Israel, who therefore had to gather the short stubble left; translated Exodus 5:12, "gather (qash) stubble for the straw," i.e. to be prepared as straw chopped small; so the old versions and Targum Onkelos.