* straw.
The straw was mixed with clay, in order to make the bricks.
This is expressly affirmed by Philo, (vit. Mos.) who was
himself a native of Alexandria, in Egypt. He says, describing
the oppression of the Israelites, that some were obliged to
work in clay, and others to gather straw for the formation of
bricks, [plinthou gar achyra desmos,] because straw is the
binding of the brick. Philo's account is confirmed by Dr.
Shaw, who says that "some of the Egyptian pyramids are made of
brick, the composition whereof is only a mixture of clay, mud,
and straw, slightly blended and kneaded together, and
afterwards baked in the sun. The straw, which keeps the
bricks together, and still preserves its original colour,
seems to be a proof that these bricks were never burnt or made
in kilns." The same materials are now used for building in
Egypt. Mr. Baumgarten says, "The houses are for the most part
of bricks that are only hardened by the heat of the sun, and
mixed with straw to make them firm."
Ge 24:25 Jud 19:19
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