Parashas Beshalach · EXTRA (side-ring) · Passuk 16:3
Sefaria — Or HaChaim on Beshalach 16:3
English: ביד ה׳ בארץ מצרים , "by the hand of G'd, in the land of Egypt." They meant that if they had still been in Egypt and would have refused to leave they would have died by the hand of G'd in Egypt. They preferred to have died for that sin rather than to die in the desert from hunger without having sinned. The situation is reminiscent of Lamentations 4,9: "those who died by the sword are better off than those who died from hunger." בשבתנו על סיר הבשר , "while we sat by the flesh-pots, etc." This verse clearly shows that the people who uttered this slander were not the ones who had performed slave labour, but had been overseers. The labourers had never had anything to eat but unleavened bread. Possibly the speakers were the well known Datan and Aviram who were known for their wickedness. בשבתנו
Commentary (Rishon) on a TT-silent passuk — EXTRA side-ring only.
See the Or HaChaim on this passuk for the full derash and implications.