KJV ORIGINAL
Is not this the word that we did tell thee in Egypt, saying, Let us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians? For it had been better for us to serve the Egyptians, than that we should die in the wilderness.
Close to the original. Clear modern English.
✦ MADE SIMPLE
Didn't we tell you this back in Egypt? We said, 'Leave us alone so we can serve the Egyptians!' It would have been better for us to remain slaves to the Egyptians than to die out here in the desert.
⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE
The Israelites are complaining to Moses, saying they would rather have stayed as slaves in Egypt than face the possibility of dying in the wilderness.
📚 Historical Context
The Israelites had just escaped from slavery in Egypt after God sent ten plagues to convince Pharaoh to let them go. As they reached the Red Sea with Pharaoh's army pursuing them, the people panicked and complained to Moses. They regretted leaving Egypt, fearing death in the wilderness over their former life of bondage.
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