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Exodus 4:5 - Proving ancestral covenant's continuity

Exodus 4:5 - שמות 4:5

Hebrew Text

לְמַעַן יַאֲמִינוּ כִּי־נִרְאָה אֵלֶיךָ יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵי אֲבֹתָם אֱלֹהֵי אַבְרָהָם אֱלֹהֵי יִצְחָק וֵאלֹהֵי יַעֲקֹב׃

English Translation

that they may believe that the Lord God of their fathers, the God of Avraham, the God of Yiżĥaq, and the God of Ya῾aqov, has appeared to thee.

Transliteration

Lema'an ya'aminu ki-nir'ah elekha Adonai Elohei avotam Elohei Avraham Elohei Yitzchak veElohei Ya'akov.

Hebrew Leining Text

לְמַ֣עַן יַאֲמִ֔ינוּ כִּֽי־נִרְאָ֥ה אֵלֶ֛יךָ יְהֹוָ֖ה אֱלֹהֵ֣י אֲבֹתָ֑ם אֱלֹהֵ֧י אַבְרָהָ֛ם אֱלֹהֵ֥י יִצְחָ֖ק וֵאלֹהֵ֥י יַעֲקֹֽב׃
לְמַ֣עַן יַאֲמִ֔ינוּ כִּֽי־נִרְאָ֥ה אֵלֶ֛יךָ יְהֹוָ֖ה אֱלֹהֵ֣י אֲבֹתָ֑ם אֱלֹהֵ֧י אַבְרָהָ֛ם אֱלֹהֵ֥י יִצְחָ֖ק וֵאלֹהֵ֥י יַעֲקֹֽב׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Context of the Verse

This verse (Shemot 4:5) appears when Hashem commands Moshe to perform signs before Bnei Yisrael to validate his prophetic mission. The purpose of these signs is to instill belief that Hashem—the God of their forefathers—has truly appeared to Moshe.

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi emphasizes that the phrase "אֱלֹהֵי אֲבֹתָם" (God of their fathers) is specified to reassure Bnei Yisrael that the same God who made covenants with Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaakov is now redeeming them. This continuity reinforces their faith in Moshe's divine mission.

Rambam on Prophetic Verification

In Moreh Nevuchim (2:40), Rambam explains that signs and miracles serve as temporary proofs to establish a prophet's credibility. Here, the mention of the Avot connects Moshe's mission to the eternal covenant, ensuring the people recognize this as part of Hashem's ongoing relationship with Klal Yisrael.

Midrashic Insight

The Midrash (Shemot Rabbah 3:4) highlights that Hashem did not say "God of your fathers" but "God of their fathers" to include all future generations. This teaches that emunah (faith) is not limited to Moshe's generation but extends to all Jews, who must affirm the same divine legacy.

Theological Significance

  • Covenantal Continuity: By naming each forefather individually, the verse stresses that Hashem's relationship is personal and unchanging (Malbim).
  • Collective Faith: The plural "they may believe" implies unity—the entire nation must internalize this emunah (Sforno).
  • Rejection of Doubt: The signs counter Pharaoh’s claim (Shemot 5:2) that he did not know Hashem, proving His sovereignty (Ibn Ezra).

Practical Lesson

The Ohr HaChaim notes that belief rooted in miracles alone is incomplete; the verse ties faith to the legacy of the Avot. True emunah requires both witnessing Hashem's power and understanding His eternal covenant with our ancestors.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Berakhot 7a
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the nature of divine revelation and the importance of faith in God's appearances to the patriarchs.
📖 Sanhedrin 111a
The verse is cited in a debate about the merits of the patriarchs and how their faith serves as a foundation for future generations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why does the verse mention the God of Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaakov specifically?
A: The verse mentions the God of Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaakov to emphasize the continuity of Hashem's covenant with the Jewish people through the generations. Rashi explains that this phrasing shows that Hashem is the same God who made promises to our forefathers and remains faithful to their descendants (Rashi on Exodus 3:6).
Q: What is the significance of the phrase 'that they may believe' in this verse?
A: The phrase 'that they may believe' refers to the purpose of the signs Hashem gave Moshe to perform for Bnei Yisrael. According to Rambam (Mishneh Torah, Hilchot Yesodei HaTorah 8:1), miracles serve to strengthen faith in Hashem and His messengers, especially when bringing about redemption.
Q: How does this verse connect to Jewish belief today?
A: This verse reinforces the foundation of Jewish belief in Hashem as the God of our ancestors who continues to guide us. The Talmud (Sanhedrin 90a) teaches that belief in Hashem's ongoing relationship with the Jewish people, as established with our forefathers, is a core principle of Judaism.
Q: Why does the Torah repeat 'God of Avraham, God of Yitzchak, and God of Yaakov' instead of saying it once?
A: The Midrash (Shemot Rabbah 3:6) explains that each patriarch had a unique relationship with Hashem, and the repetition shows that Hashem was recognized individually by each of them. This teaches that every Jew can develop a personal connection to Hashem while remaining part of the collective covenant.
Q: What lesson can we learn from this verse about leadership?
A: The verse teaches that authentic Jewish leadership, like Moshe's, must be rooted in connecting people to the eternal covenant between Hashem and our ancestors. As Rambam writes (Hilchot Melachim 1:7-9), Jewish leaders must uphold the traditions of Avraham, Yitzchak and Yaakov while guiding the people toward faith in Hashem.