Adam Clarke's Bible Commentary Verse 1. The wilderness of Sin] This desert lies between Elim and Sinai, and from Elim, Dr. Shaw says, Mount Sinai can be seen distinctly. Mr. Ainsworth supposes that this wilderness had its name from a strong city of Egypt called Sin, near which it lay. See Ezekiel xxx. 15, 16. Before they came to the wilderness of Sin, they had a previous encampment by the Red Sea after they left Elim, of which Moses makes distinct mention Num. xxxiii. 10, 11.
The fifteenth day of the second month] This was afterwards called Ijar, and they had now left Egypt one month, during which It is probable they lived on the provisions they brought with them from Rameses, though it is possible they might have had a supply from the seacoast. Concerning Mount Sinai, See the note on "chap. xix. 1".
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-12 - The provisions of Israel, brought from Egypt, were spent by the middl of the second month, and they murmured. It is no new thing for the greatest kindness to be basely represented as the greatest injuries They so far undervalue their deliverance, that they wished they ha died in Egypt; and by the hand of the Lord, that is, by the plague which cut off the Egyptians. We cannot suppose they had plenty i Egypt, nor could they fear dying for want in the wilderness, while the had flocks and herds: none talk more absurdly than murmurers. When we begin to fret, we ought to consider, that God hears all our murmurings God promises a speedy and constant supply. He tried whether they woul trust him, and rest satisfied with the bread of the day in its day Thus he tried if they would serve him, and it appeared how ungratefu they were. When God plagued the Egyptians, it was to make them know he was their Lord; when he provided for the Israelites, it was to make them know he was their God.
Original Hebrew ויסעו5265 מאילם362 ויבאו935 כל3605 עדת5712 בני1121 ישׂראל3478 אל413 מדבר4057 סין5512 אשׁר834 בין996 אילם362 ובין996 סיני5514 בחמשׁה2568 עשׂר6240 יום3117 לחדשׁ2320 השׁני8145 לצאתם3318 מארץ776 מצרים׃4714
