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Exodus 6:4 - Eternal covenant with forefathers' land

Exodus 6:4 - שמות 6:4

Hebrew Text

וְגַם הֲקִמֹתִי אֶת־בְּרִיתִי אִתָּם לָתֵת לָהֶם אֶת־אֶרֶץ כְּנָעַן אֵת אֶרֶץ מְגֻרֵיהֶם אֲשֶׁר־גָּרוּ בָהּ׃

English Translation

And I have also established my covenant with them, to give them the land of Kena῾an, the land of their sojournings, in which they sojourned.

Transliteration

Ve'gam hakimoti et briti itam latet lahem et eretz kena'an et eretz megureihem asher garu bah.

Hebrew Leining Text

וְגַ֨ם הֲקִמֹ֤תִי אֶת־בְּרִיתִי֙ אִתָּ֔ם לָתֵ֥ת לָהֶ֖ם אֶת־אֶ֣רֶץ כְּנָ֑עַן אֵ֛ת אֶ֥רֶץ מְגֻרֵיהֶ֖ם אֲשֶׁר־גָּ֥רוּ בָֽהּ׃
וְגַ֨ם הֲקִמֹ֤תִי אֶת־בְּרִיתִי֙ אִתָּ֔ם לָתֵ֥ת לָהֶ֖ם אֶת־אֶ֣רֶץ כְּנָ֑עַן אֵ֛ת אֶ֥רֶץ מְגֻרֵיהֶ֖ם אֲשֶׁר־גָּ֥רוּ בָֽהּ׃

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Parasha Commentary

The Covenant and the Land of Canaan

The verse states: "And I have also established my covenant with them, to give them the land of Kena῾an, the land of their sojournings, in which they sojourned." (Shemot 6:4). This reaffirms Hashem's eternal covenant with the Avot (Patriarchs) to grant their descendants the Land of Canaan as an everlasting inheritance.

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi comments on the phrase "the land of their sojournings" (אֶרֶץ מְגֻרֵיהֶם), noting that the Avot—Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaakov—lived in Canaan as gerim (sojourners), never fully settling there during their lifetimes. Despite this, Hashem promised the land to their descendants as a permanent possession. Rashi emphasizes that the term megureihem (their sojournings) underscores the temporary nature of their stay, contrasting with the future permanence of Bnei Yisrael's dwelling there.

Rambam's Perspective

In Hilchot Melachim (Laws of Kings 11:1), the Rambam teaches that the covenant with the Avot ensures the Land of Israel's eternal status as the inheritance of the Jewish people. He explains that this promise is unconditional and not dependent on merit, as it was given as a brit olam (eternal covenant). The phrase "to give them the land of Kena῾an" thus reflects an unbreakable divine commitment.

Midrashic Insights

  • The Midrash Tanchuma (Lekh Lekha 9) connects this verse to Avraham's journey, teaching that his willingness to dwell as a stranger in Canaan demonstrated his faith, meriting the land for his descendants.
  • The Sforno explains that the land is called "the land of their sojournings" to highlight that the Avot's temporary residence was a test of their trust in Hashem's ultimate promise.

Halachic Implications

The Chatam Sofer (Responsa, Yoreh De'ah 234) derives from this verse that the Jewish people's claim to Eretz Yisrael is rooted in divine covenant, not conquest or political agreement. This principle informs the halachic view that the mitzvah of settling the Land remains binding in all generations.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Exodus 6:4 mean when it says 'the land of their sojournings'?
A: The phrase 'the land of their sojournings' refers to the Land of Canaan where the forefathers (Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaakov) lived as temporary residents (see Rashi on this verse). Though they didn't permanently settle there, Hashem promised it would eventually become their permanent inheritance.
Q: Why is the covenant about the Land of Canaan important in Judaism?
A: This covenant is fundamental because it establishes the eternal bond between Hashem and the Jewish people, promising them the Land of Israel as their inheritance (Rambam, Hilchot Melachim). This promise was first made to Avraham (Genesis 15:18) and reaffirmed throughout the Torah.
Q: How does the promise of the Land of Canaan apply to Jews today?
A: According to Jewish tradition, this verse establishes the Jewish people's eternal right to the Land of Israel. The Talmud (Ketubot 110b) teaches that living in Israel is equivalent to observing all the mitzvot, showing its ongoing significance in Jewish life and halacha.
Q: Why does the verse mention both 'Land of Canaan' and 'land of their sojournings'?
A: The dual terminology teaches that though it was called Canaan when inhabited by others, it was destined to become the Jewish homeland where the forefathers temporarily dwelled (Ibn Ezra). This shows the transition from foreign land to promised inheritance.
Q: What can we learn from how the forefathers lived in the land before inheriting it?
A: The Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah) teaches that the forefathers kept all mitzvot even in exile, showing we must maintain our Jewish identity everywhere. Their temporary dwelling demonstrates that Jewish history moves toward ultimate redemption in our homeland.