Biblical Parallels Index – Shemot 16/0

Biblical Parallels Index – Shemot 16

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Israelites’ Complaints

Shemot 14:10-14 describes the first many complaints of the Israelites in the desert.¹ Other complaints can be found in Shemot 15:22-25, Shemot 16:2-4, Shemot 17:1-7, Bemidbar 11:5-6, Bemidbar 14:2-3, Bemidbar 20:1-6, and Bemidbar 21:4-7.

Tools

• Use Makbilot BaMikra to find links to the many verses which speak of the nation's various complaints, including descriptions of the events in Tehillim.

Articles and Lectures

• Listen to Sefer Bemidbar: From Doubt to Debate, by Atara Snowbell, for an insightful analysis and close reading of the evolution of the Israelites’ complaints from Shemot 15 through Bemidbar 21, reflecting their increasing faith and independence.
• See מסע בעקבות תלונות עם ישראל במדבר, by Dr. Brachi Elitzur, for a nuanced comparison and contrast of the complaints in the desert along six different parameters: the situation that prompted the complaint, the way that the Torah describes the people and their complaint, the content of their request, the way that the nation relates to Egypt, and the consequences of the complaint. 

Anger

The Torah explicitly notes Moshe's wrath in three places, and commentators suggest several more instances in which his anger might have expressed itself.  Comparing the stories is useful in understanding Moshe.  What leads him to get angry?  When is it not only warranted but perhaps necessary, and when not.

Tools

• See Makbilot BaMikra for links to verses which describe Moshe's anger, including Shemot 16:20, Vayikra 10:16 and Bemidbar 31:14.

Articles

• See Moshe - Overview for an essay about Moshe’s character and leadership, including analysis of those times that the Torah ascribes anger to him either explicitly or implicitly.  The piece presents contrasting evaluations of commentators on each occurrence of anger, with some justifying the emotion and others deploring it.²

¹ It is noteworthy that in this complaint, the people use the word “מצרים” five times in verses 11-12, highlighting how large Egypt looms in their minds -- either as a source of fear or security or both. Similarly, Tanakh Lab demonstrates that the word “פרעה” is the second most frequently appearing word in the chapter, appearing 11 times.

² For topics which address specific instances of anger, see Moshe's Killing of the Egyptian, Sin of the Golden Calf (discussing Moshe's throwing of the tablets), Moshe's Misstep and Mei Merivah (for those who claim that Moshe's sin lay in his angry reaction to the nation).