To human eyes their plight appeared hopeless. Shut in on the east by the sea, on the south by a rugged mountain, on the west by mountainous deserts, and on the north by the pursuing Egyptians, they probably concluded that escape was impossible. Furthermore, they were unarmed and unprepared for battle. Finally, they had not yet learned to place their trust in the power and protection of God.

 Had their prayer been accompanied by faith, v. 11 would not preserve a record of murmuring against Moses. Some commentators have suggested that the more pious among the Israelites cried to God (v. 10), whereas the irreligious murmured against Moses (v. 11).