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Exodus 11:8 - Pharaoh's servants bow, Moshe departs angrily

Exodus 11:8 - שמות 11:8

Hebrew Text

וְיָרְדוּ כָל־עֲבָדֶיךָ אֵלֶּה אֵלַי וְהִשְׁתַּחֲוּוּ־לִי לֵאמֹר צֵא אַתָּה וְכָל־הָעָם אֲשֶׁר־בְּרַגְלֶיךָ וְאַחֲרֵי־כֵן אֵצֵא וַיֵּצֵא מֵעִם־פַּרְעֹה בָּחֳרִי־אָף׃

English Translation

And all these thy servants shall come down to me, and bow down themselves to me, saying, Get thee gone, and all the people that follow thee: and after that I will go out. And he went out from Par῾o in great anger.

Transliteration

Veyardu khol-avadecha ele elai vehishtachavu-li leimor tze atah vechol-ha'am asher-b'raglecha ve'acharei-chen etze vayetze me'im-par'o bachori-af.

Hebrew Leining Text

וְיָרְד֣וּ כׇל־עֲבָדֶ֩יךָ֩ אֵ֨לֶּה אֵלַ֜י וְהִשְׁתַּֽחֲווּ־לִ֣י לֵאמֹ֗ר צֵ֤א אַתָּה֙ וְכׇל־הָעָ֣ם אֲשֶׁר־בְּרַגְלֶ֔יךָ וְאַחֲרֵי־כֵ֖ן אֵצֵ֑א וַיֵּצֵ֥א מֵֽעִם־פַּרְעֹ֖ה בׇּחֳרִי־אָֽף׃ <span class="mam-spi-samekh">{ס}</span>        
וְיָרְד֣וּ כׇל־עֲבָדֶ֩יךָ֩ אֵ֨לֶּה אֵלַ֜י וְהִשְׁתַּֽחֲווּ־לִ֣י לֵאמֹ֗ר צֵ֤א אַתָּה֙ וְכׇל־הָעָ֣ם אֲשֶׁר־בְּרַגְלֶ֔יךָ וְאַחֲרֵי־כֵ֖ן אֵצֵ֑א וַיֵּצֵ֥א מֵֽעִם־פַּרְעֹ֖ה בׇּחֳרִי־אָֽף׃ {ס}        

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Parasha Commentary

Context of the Verse

This verse (Shemot 11:8) appears during the final confrontation between Moshe and Pharaoh before the Exodus. Moshe warns Pharaoh of the impending death of the firstborn and declares that Pharaoh's servants will ultimately bow before him, pleading for Bnei Yisrael to leave Egypt.

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi comments that the phrase "וְיָרְדוּ כָל־עֲבָדֶיךָ אֵלֶּה אֵלַי" ("all these thy servants shall come down to me") refers to Pharaoh's high-ranking officials who previously mocked Moshe (as seen in Shemot 10:7). Rashi emphasizes that their descent to Moshe signifies a complete reversal of power—those who once scorned him will now humble themselves before him.

Moshe's Anger

The verse concludes with Moshe leaving Pharaoh "בָּחֳרִי־אָף" ("in great anger"). Ramban explains that Moshe's anger stemmed from Pharaoh's stubborn refusal to heed the warnings, despite witnessing the previous nine plagues. This anger also reflects Moshe's frustration at Pharaoh's continued enslavement of Bnei Yisrael.

Midrashic Insights

  • The Midrash Tanchuma (Bo 5) notes that Moshe's declaration "וְאַחֲרֵי־כֵן אֵצֵא" ("and after that I will go out") hints at his refusal to leave until all of Bnei Yisrael—including the righteous and the wicked—were freed. This underscores the principle of collective responsibility.
  • Another Midrash (Shemot Rabbah 14:3) suggests that Pharaoh's servants bowing to Moshe fulfills Yosef's earlier dream (Bereishit 37:7-9), where his brothers' sheaves bowed to his, symbolizing the ultimate vindication of Hashem's plan.

Halachic Implications

The Rambam (Hilchot De'ot 2:3) derives from Moshe's controlled anger that righteous indignation is permitted when standing up for truth and justice. However, he cautions that anger must be measured and purposeful, as Moshe demonstrated here—directed only at Pharaoh's obstinacy, not at Bnei Yisrael.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does it mean that Pharaoh's servants would 'bow down' to Moshe?
A: Rashi explains that this was a fulfillment of Hashem's promise to Avraham (Genesis 15:14) that the nation that enslaved his descendants would be judged. The bowing showed both respect and submission, acknowledging Moshe's authority as Hashem's messenger.
Q: Why was Moshe angry when he left Pharaoh?
A: The Midrash (Shemos Rabbah 14:4) teaches that Moshe was angry because Pharaoh had threatened him ('See my face no more! - Exodus 10:28). Additionally, Moshe was frustrated after Pharaoh's repeated refusals to let Bnei Yisrael go despite witnessing all the previous plagues.
Q: What is the significance of Moshe saying 'after that I will go out'?
A: The Ohr HaChaim explains that Moshe was establishing that the Exodus would happen on Hashem's terms - only after complete submission from Egypt (through bowing) would Bnei Yisrael leave. This showed that their freedom wasn't Pharaoh's gift, but Hashem's redemption.
Q: How does this verse connect to the final plague?
A: The Ramban notes that this speech (given before the plague of the firstborn) was Moshe's final warning. The bowing would come when the Egyptians, devastated by the plague, would urgently beg Bnei Yisrael to leave (as happens in Exodus 12:31-33).
Q: What lesson can we learn from Moshe's anger in this verse?
A: The Sforno teaches that righteous anger has a place when defending Hashem's honor. Moshe wasn't angry for personal reasons, but because Pharaoh repeatedly denied Hashem's sovereignty. However, Jewish tradition (Talmud, Pesachim 113b) generally discourages unnecessary anger.