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Exodus 9:18 - Divine hail shatters Egyptian arrogance

Exodus 9:18 - שמות 9:18

Hebrew Text

הִנְנִי מַמְטִיר כָּעֵת מָחָר בָּרָד כָּבֵד מְאֹד אֲשֶׁר לֹא־הָיָה כָמֹהוּ בְּמִצְרַיִם לְמִן־הַיּוֹם הִוָּסְדָה וְעַד־עָתָּה׃

English Translation

behold, tomorrow about this time I will cause it to rain a very grievous hail, such as has not been in Miżrayim since its foundation until now.

Transliteration

Hineni mamti ka'et machar barad kaved me'od asher lo-haya kamohu beMitzrayim lemin-hayom hivasda ve'ad-ata.

Hebrew Leining Text

הִנְנִ֤י מַמְטִיר֙ כָּעֵ֣ת מָחָ֔ר בָּרָ֖ד כָּבֵ֣ד מְאֹ֑ד אֲשֶׁ֨ר לֹא־הָיָ֤ה כָמֹ֙הוּ֙ בְּמִצְרַ֔יִם לְמִן־הַיּ֥וֹם הִוָּסְדָ֖הֿ וְעַד־עָֽתָּה׃
הִנְנִ֤י מַמְטִיר֙ כָּעֵ֣ת מָחָ֔ר בָּרָ֖ד כָּבֵ֣ד מְאֹ֑ד אֲשֶׁ֨ר לֹא־הָיָ֤ה כָמֹ֙הוּ֙ בְּמִצְרַ֔יִם לְמִן־הַיּ֥וֹם הִוָּסְדָ֖הֿ וְעַד־עָֽתָּה׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Context in the Plagues of Egypt

This verse (Shemot 9:18) is part of Hashem's warning to Pharaoh about the impending seventh plague—the plague of hail (barad). The severity of this plague is emphasized by its unprecedented nature in Egyptian history, marking it as a divine intervention rather than a natural phenomenon.

Rashi's Commentary

Rashi explains that the phrase "לְמִן־הַיּוֹם הִוָּסְדָה" ("since its foundation") refers to the very day Egypt was established as a nation. This highlights that such a catastrophic hailstorm had never occurred in Egypt's entire history, underscoring the miraculous nature of the plague. Rashi also notes that the hail was uniquely destructive, containing fire within the ice—a paradox demonstrating Hashem's absolute control over nature (based on Shemot 9:24).

Rambam on Divine Justice

Rambam (Maimonides) in Hilchot Teshuvah discusses how the plagues served both as punishment for Egypt's oppression of Bnei Yisrael and as a means to demonstrate Hashem's power. The hail, being a blend of fire and ice, symbolized that even opposing forces unite to fulfill divine will when justice is demanded.

Midrashic Insights

  • Midrash Tanchuma elaborates that the hail was "very grievous" ("כָּבֵד מְאֹד") because it targeted not only people and livestock but also trees and crops, leaving no refuge for those who ignored Moshe's warning.
  • Mechilta adds that the timing—"tomorrow about this time"—was precise, showing Pharaoh that Hashem's word is exact and unavoidable.

Theological Significance

The plague of hail reinforced the principle of hashgacha pratit (divine providence), as it spared the land of Goshen where Bnei Yisrael dwelled (Shemot 9:26). This distinction proved that the plague was not a random disaster but a targeted act of judgment, aligning with the broader theme of the Exodus narrative: the supremacy of Hashem over false Egyptian deities (in this case, the sky and weather gods like Nut and Shu).

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Berakhot 54b
The verse is referenced in the context of discussing the miracles performed in Egypt, particularly the plague of hail, as an example of God's mighty acts.
📖 Ta'anit 3b
The verse is cited in a discussion about the severity of the plagues in Egypt, emphasizing the unprecedented nature of the hail as described in the verse.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the significance of the hail in Exodus 9:18?
A: The hail in Exodus 9:18 was one of the Ten Plagues sent by Hashem to demonstrate His power and to persuade Pharaoh to free the Israelites from slavery. According to Rashi, this hail was exceptionally severe—unlike anything Egypt had ever seen—to show that Hashem controls nature and can bring punishment upon those who oppose His will.
Q: Why did Hashem warn Pharaoh before sending the hail?
A: Hashem gave Pharaoh advance warning (Exodus 9:18) to allow him and the Egyptians a chance to repent and protect their livestock and servants by bringing them indoors. The Rambam teaches that Hashem always provides opportunities for repentance before bringing punishment, emphasizing divine mercy even in judgment.
Q: What lesson can we learn from the plague of hail?
A: The plague of hail teaches that Hashem’s power is absolute and that He intervenes in history to uphold justice. The Midrash explains that the hail contained fire and ice—normally opposing forces—working together, showing that nature obeys Hashem’s command. This reminds us to recognize His sovereignty in our lives.
Q: How does this verse apply to us today?
A: Just as the hail was a sign for Pharaoh to acknowledge Hashem’s authority, we are reminded to recognize His hand in the world. The Talmud (Berachot 54a) teaches that we must recite blessings over natural phenomena, reinforcing our awareness that Hashem controls all aspects of creation, including challenges we face.