Exodus 6 9

Exodus 6:9 kjv

And Moses spake so unto the children of Israel: but they hearkened not unto Moses for anguish of spirit, and for cruel bondage.

Exodus 6:9 nkjv

So Moses spoke thus to the children of Israel; but they did not heed Moses, because of anguish of spirit and cruel bondage.

Exodus 6:9 niv

Moses reported this to the Israelites, but they did not listen to him because of their discouragement and harsh labor.

Exodus 6:9 esv

Moses spoke thus to the people of Israel, but they did not listen to Moses, because of their broken spirit and harsh slavery.

Exodus 6:9 nlt

So Moses told the people of Israel what the LORD had said, but they refused to listen anymore. They had become too discouraged by the brutality of their slavery.

Exodus 6 verses

Exodus 6 9 Meaning

Exodus 6:9 reveals that when Moses delivered God’s message of deliverance to the Israelites, they were unable to receive it. Their severe suffering under Egyptian bondage had crushed their spirits, rendering them too overwhelmed and discouraged to believe or even listen to the hope offered by the Lord. This verse highlights the deep human despair that can make even divine promises seem unbelievable.

Exodus 6 9 Context

Exodus 6:9 immediately follows God's profound revelation to Moses (Exo 6:2-8). In this preceding passage, God reaffirms His covenant name YHWH, promises to deliver the Israelites from bondage with mighty acts, and lead them into the land of Canaan—the land He swore to their patriarchs. Moses, having received this clear and powerful message directly from God, diligently relayed it to the Israelites, expecting them to embrace such good news. However, this verse starkly reveals the chasm between divine promise and human reality; the Israelites' immediate lived experience of brutal slavery and shattered hopes prevented them from hearing or believing. This sets the stage for God's demonstration of power through the plagues, as their hearts are hardened not by choice initially, but by overwhelming despair. It underscores the difficulty of faith when circumstances appear hopeless, serving as a preamble to the greater redemptive narrative and the continued struggle of faith throughout Israel's history.

Exodus 6 9 Word analysis

• So Moses told this to the Israelites: Moses faithfully conveyed God's explicit message from the previous verses. This highlights divine communication, delivered through the chosen messenger.
• but they did not listen: The Hebrew term for "listen" (שָׁמַע, shama') implies not just hearing with the ears, but also heeding, obeying, and understanding with the heart. Their failure to shama' indicates a profound disconnect, not merely auditory, but of reception and belief. This sets a recurring pattern for Israel's journey in the wilderness.
• because of their broken spirit: The Hebrew phrase is קוּצֶר רוּחַ (koṭẓer rûaḥ).
  • Koṭẓer (קוצר): Shortness, brevity, impatience, lack. It means something is cut short or limited.
  • Rûaḥ (רוח): Spirit, breath, wind. It encompasses vitality, inner being, courage, and resolve.Combined, koṭẓer rûaḥ literally means "shortness of breath/spirit." This vividly describes an extreme state of discouragement, despair, or even breathlessness from intense anguish. Their very life-force and capacity for hope had been suffocated by oppression. It's a deep psychological and spiritual weariness, making them unable to receive hope or vision beyond their current suffering. This contrasts with God's "long-suffering" ('erekh 'appaim, 'long of nose/anger').
• and their harsh bondage: This provides the immediate, physical, and psychological context for their "broken spirit." The weight of their cruel and unending servitude under Egyptian masters had worn them down to the point of utter hopelessness, dulling their capacity to respond to the good news. This bondage was not merely physical; it profoundly impacted their spiritual and emotional state, illustrating how physical oppression can manifest as spiritual apathy.

Exodus 6 9 Bonus section

The "broken spirit" (koṭẓer rûaḥ) of the Israelites serves as a foil to Pharaoh's "hardened heart." While Pharaoh's hardening is a deliberate refusal against God, the Israelites' short-spiritedness is a consequence of overwhelming suffering, demonstrating different forms of human unresponsiveness to God. This verse sets a pattern for Israel's future: despite God's mighty acts of deliverance, their hearts often struggled with unbelief, murmuring, and rebellion in the face of perceived hardship (e.g., Num 14). God's remembrance of His covenant (Exo 6:5) remains the driving force, not the people's faith at this moment. This episode also teaches about perseverance for God's messengers; Moses himself experiences rejection and disillusionment here, paralleling the later prophets who faced similar indifference from the people of God.

Exodus 6 9 Commentary

Exodus 6:9 reveals the heartbreaking reality of profound human despair meeting divine promise. Moses, filled with God's clear revelation of deliverance, conveyed it to a people utterly crushed by brutal servitude. Their "broken spirit" (koṭẓer rûaḥ), a severe "shortness of breath" or utter discouragement, prevented them from even listening, let alone believing. This wasn't active rebellion, but the debilitating apathy born of ceaseless suffering and shattered hope. The verse emphasizes that even the most glorious promises can fall on deaf ears when the heart is overwhelmed by reality. God, however, does not retract His promise due to human disbelief but demonstrates His power regardless, preparing to intervene precisely because of their suffering. This initial state of Israel’s heart highlights God's sovereignty and unwavering commitment to His covenant, demonstrating that His plans unfold independently of immediate human receptiveness or readiness.