And when Pharaoh drew nigh
Or "caused to draw nigh" F20; that is, his army, brought it very
near to the camp of the Israelites:
the children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and, behold,
the Egyptians
marched after them;
in great numbers, with full speed, threatening them with utter
destruction:
and they were sore afraid;
being an unarmed people, though numerous, and so unable to defend
themselves against armed and disciplined troops; and besides,
through their long time of slavery their spirits were broken, and
were a mean, abject, dispirited people; and especially were so on
the sight of the Egyptians, whom they had so many years looked
upon and served as their lords and masters:
and the children of Israel cried out unto the
Lord:
had they prayed unto him in this their distress for help and
assistance, protection and preservation, with an holy and humble
confidence in him for it, they had acted a right and laudable
part; but their crying out to him seems to be only an outcry of
the troubles they were in, and rather the effect of despair than
of faith and hope; and was by way of complaint and lamentation of
their miserable condition and circumstances, as appears by what
follows, which shows what temper of mind they were in.
F20 (byrqh) "fecit accedere", Pagninus, Montanus; "admovit castra", Junius & Tremellius.