8574. 'What shall I do for this people?' means what should be done for those who make such bitter complaint because they are not in receipt of truth? This is clear from the meaning of 'what shall I do for this people?' as words embodying such matters; for 'the wrangling of the people with Moses' means bitter complaining, 8563, 8566, and 'no water for them to drink' means a lack of truth, 8562, 8568.

8566. 'Why do you wrangle with me?' means that they should be more restrained in their complaining. This is clear from the meaning of 'wrangling' as bitter complaining, as above in 8563. It also implies that they should be more restrained, for it says that they are thereby tempting Jehovah.