Exodus 6:9

9 And Moses speaketh so unto the sons of Israel, and they hearkened not unto Moses, for anguish of spirit, and for harsh service.

Exodus 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.

Exodus 6:9 In-Context

7 and have taken you to Me for a people, and I have been to you for God, and ye have known that I [am] Jehovah your God, who is bringing you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians;

8 and I have brought you in unto the land which I have lifted up My hand to give it to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, and have given it to you -- a possession; I [am] Jehovah.'

9 And Moses speaketh so unto the sons of Israel, and they hearkened not unto Moses, for anguish of spirit, and for harsh service.

10 And Jehovah speaketh unto Moses, saying,

11 `Go in, speak unto Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he doth send the sons of Israel out of his land;