Shemot 6:9

9 And Moshe spoke so unto the Bnei Yisroel; but they did not listen unto Moshe because of their kotzer ruach (shortness of spirit, broken spirit), and for avodah kesheh (cruel bondage).

Shemot 6:9 Meaning and Commentary

Exodus 6:9

And Moses spake so unto the children of Israel
After this manner, and in the above words, declaring all that the Lord made known to him, and promised to do for them; which one would have thought would have revived their spirits, and refreshed and comforted their hearts under their troubles, and encouraged a lively exercise of faith and hope of deliverance: but they hearkened not unto Moses;
being disappointed of deliverance by him, and their afflictions being increased, and lying heavy upon them, they were heartless and hopeless; for anguish of spirit;
trouble of mind and grief of heart, with which they were swallowed up; or "for shortness of breath" ^F2, being so pressed that they could hardly breathe, and so were incapable of attending to what was spoken to them: and for cruel bondage;
under which they laboured, and from which they had scarce any respite, and saw no way of deliverance from it.

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FOOTNOTES:

F2 (xwr ruqm) "ob brevem anhelitum", Munster.

Shemot 6:9 In-Context

7 And I will take you to Me for a people, and I will be to you Elohim; and ye shall know that I am Hashem Eloheichem, which bringeth you out from under the sivlot Mitzrayim.

8 And I will bring you in unto HaAretz, concerning the which I did lift up My hand to swear to give it to Avraham, to Yitzchak, and to Ya’akov; and I will give it to you for a morashah (heritage); I am Hashem.

9 And Moshe spoke so unto the Bnei Yisroel; but they did not listen unto Moshe because of their kotzer ruach (shortness of spirit, broken spirit), and for avodah kesheh (cruel bondage).

10 And Hashem spoke unto Moshe, saying,

11 Go in, speak unto Pharaoh Melech Mitzrayim, that he let the Bnei Yisroel go out of his land.