Anguish of spirit— The original רוח קצר, chotzer ruach, denotes that shortness of breath, which is occasioned by extreme grief, anger, or fatigue: see the margin of our Bibles. The LXX render it, out of despondency, ολιγοψυχιας; and Grotius interprets it, anxiety of mind. The spirits of the Israelites were so depressed by their anxiety and severe labours, that they were neither accessible to hope, nor susceptible of consolation. See Numbers 21:4.Judges 10:16.
REFLECTIONS.—Observe here, 1. God silences Moses's complaint with assurances of success. He will work, and who shall let it? If his mighty hand of grace or judgment be stretched forth, when he begins he will make an end: yea, he now will accomplish the hope of Israel, as Jehovah, the promise-fulfilling God. He heard his people's cries before Moses spoke, and their deliverance is both certain and near. Let then the Israel of God, in their deepest distresses, trust, and not be afraid. 2. Moses carries the glad message to the people; but they are so dejected, that they pay no attention to it. Thus often impatient sorrow refuses comfort, and despair turns a deaf ear to the promises of mercy.