share torah logo

Exodus 10:1 - Divine signs challenge Pharaoh's defiance.

Exodus 10:1 - שמות 10:1

Hebrew Text

וַיֹּאמֶר יְהוָה אֶל־מֹשֶׁה בֹּא אֶל־פַּרְעֹה כִּי־אֲנִי הִכְבַּדְתִּי אֶת־לִבּוֹ וְאֶת־לֵב עֲבָדָיו לְמַעַן שִׁתִי אֹתֹתַי אֵלֶּה בְּקִרְבּוֹ׃

English Translation

And the Lord said to Moshe, Go in to Par῾o: for I have hardened his heart, and the heart of his servants, that I might show these my signs before him:

Transliteration

Va'yomer Adonai el-Moshe bo el-Paroh ki-ani hichbadti et-libo ve'et lev avadav lema'an shiti ototai eleh be'kirbo.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיֹּ֤אמֶר יְהֹוָה֙ אֶל־מֹשֶׁ֔ה בֹּ֖א אֶל־פַּרְעֹ֑ה כִּֽי־אֲנִ֞י הִכְבַּ֤דְתִּי אֶת־לִבּוֹ֙ וְאֶת־לֵ֣ב עֲבָדָ֔יו לְמַ֗עַן שִׁתִ֛י אֹתֹתַ֥י אֵ֖לֶּה בְּקִרְבּֽוֹ׃
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר יְהֹוָה֙ אֶל־מֹשֶׁ֔ה בֹּ֖א אֶל־פַּרְעֹ֑ה כִּֽי־אֲנִ֞י הִכְבַּ֤דְתִּי אֶת־לִבּוֹ֙ וְאֶת־לֵ֣ב עֲבָדָ֔יו לְמַ֗עַן שִׁתִ֛י אֹתֹתַ֥י אֵ֖לֶּה בְּקִרְבּֽוֹ׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Divine Hardening of Pharaoh's Heart

The verse states that Hashem hardened Pharaoh's heart and the hearts of his servants to enable the performance of miraculous signs. This concept raises theological questions about free will and divine intervention. Rashi (Shemot 10:1) explains that Hashem allowed Pharaoh's heart to remain hardened after he had already chosen evil repeatedly, as Pharaoh had previously hardened his own heart during the first five plagues (see Shemot 7:13, 7:22, 8:15, etc.). Only then did Hashem intervene to sustain this stubbornness, ensuring Pharaoh would witness the full measure of divine power.

Purpose of the Signs

The phrase "לְמַעַן שִׁתִי אֹתֹתַי אֵלֶּה בְּקִרְבּוֹ" ("that I might show these my signs before him") is interpreted by Rambam (Hilchot Teshuvah 6:3) as serving a dual purpose:

  • To demonstrate Hashem's absolute sovereignty over nature and human rulers.
  • To teach future generations the consequences of defying the divine will.

The Midrash (Shemot Rabbah 13:3) adds that these signs were also meant to instill fear of Hashem among the nations, ensuring they would not interfere with Israel's eventual Exodus.

Pharaoh's Moral Responsibility

Despite Hashem's hardening of Pharaoh's heart, the Talmud (Sanhedrin 105b) emphasizes that Pharaoh retained moral culpability. The hardening was not a removal of free will but a removal of the opportunity to repent after he had already rejected multiple chances. The Ramban (Shemot 7:3) explains this as a form of divine justice—once Pharaoh persisted in evil, Hashem ensured he would face the full consequences of his choices.

Theological Implications

The Sforno (Shemot 10:1) notes that the hardening was necessary to prevent Pharaoh from superficially relenting due to fear of the plagues rather than genuine recognition of Hashem's supremacy. By maintaining Pharaoh's resistance, the full glory of the Exodus narrative could unfold, leaving no doubt about Hashem's power and the futility of opposing His will.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Sanhedrin 105a
The verse is discussed in the context of Pharaoh's hardened heart and the divine purpose behind it, exploring the theological implications of God hardening Pharaoh's heart.
📖 Exodus Rabbah 13:3
The midrashic collection references this verse to elaborate on the nature of Pharaoh's stubbornness and the signs performed by Moses.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did Hashem harden Pharaoh's heart?
A: According to Rashi and other commentators, Hashem hardened Pharaoh's heart after the first five plagues as a punishment for his initial stubbornness and cruelty. This allowed more plagues to be brought upon Egypt, demonstrating Hashem's complete power and ultimately leading to the Exodus, a foundational event for the Jewish people.
Q: What does 'hardening the heart' mean in this verse?
A: The 'hardening of the heart' refers to Pharaoh losing his free will to repent after repeatedly choosing evil. Rambam explains that when someone sins persistently, they may reach a point where teshuvah (repentance) becomes impossible as a form of divine justice. This showed Egypt and future generations the consequences of resisting Hashem's will.
Q: Why did Hashem want to show signs and wonders in Egypt?
A: The Midrash teaches that these miracles served three purposes: 1) To punish Egypt for oppressing Israel, 2) To demonstrate Hashem's absolute sovereignty over nature and false gods, and 3) To establish eternal proof of Hashem's relationship with the Jewish people. The Exodus miracles remain a cornerstone of Jewish faith.
Q: How does this verse relate to free will in Judaism?
A: This verse shows that while humans generally have free will (as emphasized in Deuteronomy 30:19), extreme and persistent misuse of free will can lead to its removal as a form of punishment. The Talmud (Makkot 10b) discusses how Pharaoh crossed this threshold through his own choices before Hashem hardened his heart.
Q: What lesson can we learn from Pharaoh's hardened heart today?
A: The Sages derive that we should learn to recognize truth when it's presented and not stubbornly resist change. As the plagues progressed, even Pharaoh's advisors recognized Hashem's power (Exodus 10:7), teaching us the importance of humility and being responsive to moral truth in our own lives.