Exodus 3:16 - Divine promise to redeem Israel

Join Our Newsletter To Be Informed When New Videos Are Posted

Join the thousands of fellow Studends who rely on our videos to learn how to read the bible in Hebrew for free!

Hebrew Text

לֵךְ וְאָסַפְתָּ אֶת־זִקְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל וְאָמַרְתָּ אֲלֵהֶם יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵי אֲבֹתֵיכֶם נִרְאָה אֵלַי אֱלֹהֵי אַבְרָהָם יִצְחָק וְיַעֲקֹב לֵאמֹר פָּקֹד פָּקַדְתִּי אֶתְכֶם וְאֶת־הֶעָשׂוּי לָכֶם בְּמִצְרָיִם׃

English Translation

Go, and gather the elders of Yisra᾽el together, and say to them, The Lord God of your fathers, the God of Avraham, of Yiżĥaq, and of Ya῾aqov, has appeared to me, saying, I have surely visited you, and seen that which is done to you in Miżrayim:

Transliteration

Lech ve'asafta et-ziknei Yisrael ve'amarta alehem Adonai Elohei avoteichem nirah elai Elohei Avraham Yitzchak veYaakov lemor pakod pakadeti etchem ve'et-ha'asui lachem beMitzrayim.

Hebrew Leining Text

לֵ֣ךְ וְאָֽסַפְתָּ֞ אֶת־זִקְנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל וְאָמַרְתָּ֤ אֲלֵהֶם֙ יְהֹוָ֞ה אֱלֹהֵ֤י אֲבֹֽתֵיכֶם֙ נִרְאָ֣ה אֵלַ֔י אֱלֹהֵ֧י אַבְרָהָ֛ם יִצְחָ֥ק וְיַעֲקֹ֖ב לֵאמֹ֑ר פָּקֹ֤ד פָּקַ֙דְתִּי֙ אֶתְכֶ֔ם וְאֶת־הֶעָשׂ֥וּי לָכֶ֖ם בְּמִצְרָֽיִם׃

Parasha Commentary

The Command to Gather the Elders

The verse begins with the command to Moshe: "לֵךְ וְאָסַפְתָּ אֶת־זִקְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל" ("Go, and gather the elders of Israel"). Rashi explains that the elders were the distinguished and wise leaders of the tribes, chosen for their wisdom and righteousness (Rashi on Shemot 3:16). The Midrash Tanchuma (Shemot 18) adds that these elders were the same individuals who had previously risked their lives to resist Pharaoh's decrees, demonstrating their unwavering commitment to the Jewish people.

The Divine Revelation to Moshe

Moshe is instructed to tell the elders: "יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵי אֲבֹתֵיכֶם נִרְאָה אֵלַי" ("The Lord God of your fathers has appeared to me"). Rambam (Moreh Nevuchim 1:63) emphasizes that this phrasing underscores the continuity of the covenant with the Avot (Patriarchs). The mention of Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaakov by name reinforces that Hashem's relationship with Bnei Yisrael is rooted in the merit of their forefathers.

The Promise of Divine Intervention

The phrase "פָּקֹד פָּקַדְתִּי אֶתְכֶם" ("I have surely visited you") uses a doubling of the verb "pakod," which the Talmud (Berachot 55a) interprets as a sign of certainty and immediacy—Hashem's redemption is both assured and imminent. The Sforno explains that this visitation refers not only to noticing their suffering but also to the divine plan to redeem them (Sforno on Shemot 3:16).

The Recognition of Their Suffering

The concluding phrase, "וְאֶת־הֶעָשׂוּי לָכֶם בְּמִצְרָיִם" ("and seen that which is done to you in Egypt"), is interpreted by the Midrash (Shemot Rabbah 3:7) as referring to both the physical oppression and the spiritual challenges Bnei Yisrael faced under Egyptian rule. The Kli Yakar adds that this acknowledgment of their suffering was meant to strengthen their faith in the coming redemption (Kli Yakar on Shemot 3:16).

Key Themes in Orthodox Jewish Thought

Covenantal Continuity: The verse emphasizes the unbroken bond between Hashem and Bnei Yisrael, rooted in the merit of the Avot.
Leadership and Representation: The elders serve as the spiritual and communal representatives of the people, entrusted with conveying divine promises.
Divine Compassion: Hashem's recognition of their suffering is a precursor to redemption, illustrating the principle that geulah (redemption) follows tzarah (distress).

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Sotah 5a

The verse is referenced in a discussion about the importance of humility and how God appears to the humble, using Moses as an example.

📖 Sanhedrin 111a

The verse is cited in a discussion about the merits of the forefathers (Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaakov) and how their righteousness benefits their descendants.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does 'I have surely visited you' mean in Exodus 3:16?
A: The phrase 'I have surely visited you' (פָּקֹד פָּקַדְתִּי) means that Hashem has remembered His covenant with the forefathers and is now taking action to redeem the Jewish people from Egypt. Rashi explains that this double language ('pakod pakadeti') emphasizes certainty—Hashem will definitely fulfill His promise to bring them out of slavery.

Q: Why does Hashem mention Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaakov in this verse?
A: Hashem mentions the forefathers (Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaakov) to remind the Jewish people that His promise to redeem them is based on the covenant He made with their ancestors. The Midrash teaches that mentioning the forefathers also highlights their merit, which plays a role in the redemption from Egypt.

Q: Why did Moshe need to gather the elders of Israel in Exodus 3:16?
A: Moshe was instructed to gather the elders because they were the respected leaders of the Jewish people. The Rambam (Hilchos Sanhedrin 1:3) explains that elders represent wisdom and authority, and their involvement ensured the nation would trust and accept Moshe's message about the upcoming redemption.

Q: What lesson can we learn from Exodus 3:16 today?
A: This verse teaches us that Hashem keeps His promises, even if they take time to fulfill. Just as He remembered the Jewish people in Egypt, He is always aware of our struggles and will bring redemption in His time. The Talmud (Berachos 10a) emphasizes that we must maintain faith in Hashem's ultimate plan.

Q: What does 'seen that which is done to you in Egypt' refer to?
A: This phrase refers to Hashem's awareness of the suffering of the Jewish people under Egyptian oppression. The Midrash (Shemos Rabbah 3:2) explains that Hashem not only saw their physical pain but also their faithfulness in keeping Jewish names, language, and traditions despite persecution.