וַיְהִי֩ בַיָּמִ֨ים הָֽרַבִּ֜ים הָהֵ֗ם וַיָּ֙מָת֙ מֶ֣לֶךְ מִצְרַ֔יִם וַיֵּאָנְח֧וּ בְנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל מִן־הָעֲבֹדָ֖ה וַיִּזְעָ֑קוּ וַתַּ֧עַל שַׁוְעָתָ֛ם אֶל־הָאֱלֹהִ֖ים מִן־הָעֲבֹדָֽה׃
Während jener langen Zeit starb der König von Ägypten, und [noch immer] ächzten die Kinder Israel unter der Arbeit und wehklagten wegen der Arbeit, und ihr Geschrei stieg empor zu Gott.
On the Migration of Abraham
[15] These, indeed, groaned over and greatly bewailed their bodily well-being, and the lavish abundance of things outside the body, which was theirs, for we read that “the children of Israel groaned by reason of their works” (Ex. 2:23). When they do this, the gracious God instructs His prophet regarding their coming out, and His prophet delivers them.
On the Confusion of Tongues
[93] There is sound wisdom in the words, “The children of Israel groaned because of their tasks” (Ex. 2:23). Which of the wisely-minded, when he sees the tasks which many men endure and the extravagance of the zeal which they commonly put forth to win money or glory or the enjoyment which pleasure give, would not in the exceeding bitterness of his heart cry aloud to God the only Saviour to lighten their tasks and provide a price of the soul’s salvation to redeem it into liberty?
That the Worse is wont to Attack the Better
[93] He, in His goodness and graciousness, does not disregard His suppliants, above all when they cry out without pretence or falsehood, groaning over their tasks and sufferings in Egypt: for then, says Moses, their words go up to God (Exod. 2:23), and He listens to them and delivers them from evils that are upon them.