Matthew Poole and continuators on Exodus 5:7

7 Ye shall no more give the people straw to make brick as heretofore: let them go and gather straw for themselves.

The straw was used either to mingle with the clay, that it might not be too brittle: or to cover the Clay when it was formed into Bricks, that the heat of the Sun might not dry them too much, which might easily be done in that hot Countrey: Or for fewel either wholly or in part to burn their bricks with, straw being abundant there and much used for that purpose.