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Exodus 8:23 - Divine command for wilderness worship?

Exodus 8:23 - שמות 8:23

Hebrew Text

דֶּרֶךְ שְׁלֹשֶׁת יָמִים נֵלֵךְ בַּמִּדְבָּר וְזָבַחְנוּ לַיהוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ כַּאֲשֶׁר יֹאמַר אֵלֵינוּ׃

English Translation

We will go three days’ journey into the wilderness, and sacrifice to the Lord our God, as he shall command us.

Transliteration

Derekh shloshet yamim nelech bamidbar vezavachnu la'Adonai Eloheinu ka'asher yomar aleinu.

Hebrew Leining Text

דֶּ֚רֶךְ שְׁלֹ֣שֶׁת יָמִ֔ים נֵלֵ֖ךְ בַּמִּדְבָּ֑ר וְזָבַ֙חְנוּ֙ לַֽיהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֵ֔ינוּ כַּאֲשֶׁ֖ר יֹאמַ֥ר אֵלֵֽינוּ׃
דֶּ֚רֶךְ שְׁלֹ֣שֶׁת יָמִ֔ים נֵלֵ֖ךְ בַּמִּדְבָּ֑ר וְזָבַ֙חְנוּ֙ לַֽיהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֵ֔ינוּ כַּאֲשֶׁ֖ר יֹאמַ֥ר אֵלֵֽינוּ׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Context in the Exodus Narrative

This verse (Exodus 3:18) appears when Moshe and Aharon first approach Pharaoh to request that Bnei Yisrael be allowed to leave Egypt temporarily to serve Hashem. The request for a three-day journey into the wilderness to bring sacrifices is a pivotal moment in the unfolding redemption narrative.

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi comments that the "three days' journey" refers to the distance needed to separate from Egyptian idolatry and influence before properly serving Hashem. He notes that this request was intentionally modest—asking only for temporary leave—so as not to arouse Pharaoh's suspicion about their true intention of permanent departure (Rashi on Exodus 3:18).

Ibn Ezra's Perspective

Ibn Ezra suggests that the three days correspond to the time needed to reach Har Sinai, where they would ultimately receive the Torah. The phrasing "as He shall command us" implies that the destination and sacrificial service would be directed by divine instruction (Ibn Ezra on Exodus 3:18).

Midrashic Insights

  • The Mechilta teaches that the three days represent the three Patriarchs (Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaakov), whose merit would accompany Bnei Yisrael into the wilderness.
  • Shemot Rabbah connects the three days to the future three days of preparation before Matan Torah (Exodus 19:11), showing a parallel between the initial request and the ultimate revelation at Sinai.

Halachic Dimension

The Rambam (Hilchot Avodat Kochavim 7:2) derives from this verse that one must distance themselves from idolatrous environments before proper divine service. The three-day journey establishes a principle of creating separation from negative spiritual influences.

Phrase "As He Shall Command Us"

The Sforno explains that this demonstrates Bnei Yisrael's complete submission to divine will—they would offer sacrifices only according to Hashem's specific commandments, not based on human reasoning. This foreshadows the detailed sacrificial laws later given in the Torah (Sforno on Exodus 3:18).

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Megillah 9b
The verse is referenced in the context of discussing the Greek translation of the Torah (Septuagint), where the sages note variations in translation, including this verse.
📖 Sanhedrin 56a
The verse is cited in a discussion about the Noachide laws and the obligations of non-Jews, though the reference is more tangential to the main discussion.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does 'three days' journey into the wilderness' mean in Exodus 8:23?
A: Rashi explains that the 'three days' journey' refers to the distance needed to separate from the influence of Egypt and its idolatry. Only then could Bnei Yisrael properly serve Hashem without foreign cultural interference.
Q: Why did Moshe ask Pharaoh for a three-day journey to sacrifice?
A: The Midrash teaches that this request was both a test of Pharaoh's willingness to let Israel go and a first step toward complete freedom. Ramban adds that true divine service requires separation from corrupt environments.
Q: What is the significance of sacrificing 'as God commands us' in this verse?
A: The Sforno notes this emphasizes that authentic worship must follow divine instructions precisely. This principle became foundational for the entire Torah system of korbanot (sacrifices) given later at Sinai.
Q: How does the concept of 'three days' journey' apply to our lives today?
A: The Baal Shem Tov taught that we must create spiritual and physical distance from negative influences (like the three days from Egypt) to serve Hashem properly. This applies to separating from harmful environments or behaviors that distance us from Torah values.
Q: Why did they need to go into the wilderness to sacrifice?
A: The Kli Yakar explains that the wilderness represents a neutral space free from Egypt's idolatry. Just as Matan Torah later occurred in the wilderness, divine service requires removing oneself from spiritually impure surroundings.