A carefully counted number.

Ye shall no more give the people straw to make brick, as heretofore: let them go and gather straw for themselves. And the TALE of the bricks, which they did make heretofore, ye shall lay upon them; ye shall not diminish ought thereof: for they be idle; therefore they cry, saying, Let us go and sacrifice to our God. ( Exodus 5:7-8 )