[1] The libretto used is a Biblical story slightly modified by Zelenka.
It is sung in Italian and it is untraditional in the fact that God has several passages in the cantata.
The story is of the Jewish people travelling from Egypt to the Promised Land.
Three Jews – Azaria, Egla and Namuel are fatigued by having to go on such a long journey and start complaining about their burden.
This angers God, who sends one thousand snakes down to plague the blasphemers.