Numbers 20:15 Commentary: Rashi, Rabbeinu Bahya, Siftei Chakhamim & Rav Hirsch

וַיֵּרְד֤וּ אֲבֹתֵ֙ינוּ֙ מִצְרַ֔יְמָה וַנֵּ֥שֶׁב בְּמִצְרַ֖יִם יָמִ֣ים רַבִּ֑ים וַיָּרֵ֥עוּ לָ֛נוּ מִצְרַ֖יִם וְלַאֲבֹתֵֽינוּ׃

how our fathers went down into Egypt, and we dwelt in Egypt a long time; and the Egyptians dealt ill with us, and our fathers;

Rashi on Numbers

וירעו לנו AND [THE EGYPTIANS] DID EVIL TO US — we have borne many adversities.
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Rabbeinu Bahya

ולאבותנו, “and to our forefathers,” this was a reference to the Israelites who, though enslaved in Egypt, had not lived long enough to experience the redemption. According to our sages in Tanchuma Chukat 12, the word is a direct reference to the patriarchs, all of whom are described as participating in the pain of the enslavement their offspring had endured in Egypt even in their graves.
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Siftei Chakhamim

We endured much suffering. (Gur Aryeh) Though the term וירעו ["they mistreated"] merely implies that they did one evil act to them, but elsewhere (Devarim 26:6) it is written, “They mistreated us and afflicted us…” Therefore Rashi explains that וירעו includes much suffering, and thus all afflictions are included.
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