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Exodus 3:7 - Divinely heard suffering in Egypt

Exodus 3:7 - שמות 3:7

Hebrew Text

וַיֹּאמֶר יְהוָה רָאֹה רָאִיתִי אֶת־עֳנִי עַמִּי אֲשֶׁר בְּמִצְרָיִם וְאֶת־צַעֲקָתָם שָׁמַעְתִּי מִפְּנֵי נֹגְשָׂיו כִּי יָדַעְתִּי אֶת־מַכְאֹבָיו׃

English Translation

And the Lord said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are in Miżrayim, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows;

Transliteration

Va'yomer Adonai ra'oh ra'iti et-oni ami asher be'Mitzrayim ve'et-tza'akatam shamati mipnei nogshav ki yadati et-mak'ovav.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר יְהֹוָ֔ה רָאֹ֥ה רָאִ֛יתִי אֶת־עֳנִ֥י עַמִּ֖י אֲשֶׁ֣ר בְּמִצְרָ֑יִם וְאֶת־צַעֲקָתָ֤ם שָׁמַ֙עְתִּי֙ מִפְּנֵ֣י נֹֽגְשָׂ֔יו כִּ֥י יָדַ֖עְתִּי אֶת־מַכְאֹבָֽיו׃
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר יְהֹוָ֔ה רָאֹ֥ה רָאִ֛יתִי אֶת־עֳנִ֥י עַמִּ֖י אֲשֶׁ֣ר בְּמִצְרָ֑יִם וְאֶת־צַעֲקָתָ֤ם שָׁמַ֙עְתִּי֙ מִפְּנֵ֣י נֹֽגְשָׂ֔יו כִּ֥י יָדַ֖עְתִּי אֶת־מַכְאֹבָֽיו׃

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Parasha Commentary

Divine Awareness of Israel's Suffering

The verse (Shemot 3:7) emphasizes Hashem's intimate knowledge of Bnei Yisrael's suffering in Mitzrayim. The double language of "רָאֹה רָאִיתִי" ("I have surely seen") is interpreted by Rashi as indicating that Hashem not only saw their present affliction but also foresaw their future oppression. This teaches that divine providence is not reactive but encompasses past, present, and future.

The Nature of Their Cry

The phrase "וְאֶת־צַעֲקָתָם שָׁמַעְתִּי" ("and have heard their cry") is analyzed in the Midrash (Shemot Rabbah 1:34) to mean that Hashem heard their cries specifically when they directed their prayers to Him, as opposed to mere outcries of pain. This highlights the importance of intentional prayer (תפילה) in eliciting divine response.

Knowledge of Their Sorrows

The concluding phrase "כִּי יָדַעְתִּי אֶת־מַכְאֹבָיו" ("for I know their sorrows") is expounded upon by the Rambam (Hilchot Ta'anit 1:1-3) to demonstrate that Hashem's knowledge of human suffering is not abstract but deeply personal. The use of the singular "מַכְאֹבָיו" ("his sorrows") instead of the plural suggests that Hashem relates to each individual's pain as if it were His own, as taught in the Talmud (Chagigah 15b).

Key Lessons from the Verse

  • Divine Providence: Hashem's awareness is comprehensive and anticipatory (based on Rashi).
  • Power of Prayer: Directed cries to Hashem are particularly efficacious (based on Shemot Rabbah).
  • Personal Relationship: Hashem feels each person's suffering individually (based on Rambam and Talmud).

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Berakhot 9b
The verse is referenced in a discussion about God's compassion and response to the suffering of the Israelites in Egypt.
📖 Sotah 11a
The verse is cited in the context of discussing the merits of the Israelite women in Egypt and how their cries reached God.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Exodus 3:7 mean when it says 'I have surely seen the affliction of my people'?
A: The double language of 'seen, seen' (רָאֹה רָאִיתִי) emphasizes that Hashem not only noticed the suffering of the Jewish people in Egypt, but He fully understood its depth and intensity. Rashi explains that this repetition shows Hashem's complete awareness and that He would now take action to redeem them.
Q: Why is it important that Hashem says 'I have heard their cry' in Exodus 3:7?
A: This teaches us that Hashem listens to prayers and responds to suffering. The Talmud (Berachot 32b) explains that even when the Jewish people were on a low spiritual level in Egypt, their cries reached Hashem, showing that He is always attentive to those in distress, regardless of their spiritual state.
Q: What can we learn from Hashem saying 'I know their sorrows' in this verse?
A: The Rambam teaches that this demonstrates Hashem's intimate knowledge of human suffering. Just as He knew the pain of our ancestors in Egypt, He understands every individual's struggles today. This gives us comfort that our hardships are never ignored by the Almighty.
Q: How does Exodus 3:7 apply to our lives today?
A: This verse reminds us that just as Hashem saw, heard and knew the suffering of our ancestors, He is equally aware of our challenges today. The Midrash (Shemot Rabbah 1:28) connects this to the idea that redemption can come at any moment, just as it did for the Jews in Egypt, teaching us to maintain hope during difficult times.
Q: Why does the verse mention both 'seeing' the affliction and 'hearing' the cry?
A: The Sforno explains that 'seeing' refers to the physical oppression (hard labor), while 'hearing' refers to their spiritual anguish. This teaches that Hashem responds to both our material and spiritual suffering. The Talmud (Sotah 11a) adds that the Jewish women's cries were particularly significant in bringing about the redemption.