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Exodus 10:10 - Pharaoh's ominous warning: danger ahead?

Exodus 10:10 - שמות 10:10

Hebrew Text

וַיֹּאמֶר אֲלֵהֶם יְהִי כֵן יְהוָה עִמָּכֶם כַּאֲשֶׁר אֲשַׁלַּח אֶתְכֶם וְאֶת־טַפְּכֶם רְאוּ כִּי רָעָה נֶגֶד פְּנֵיכֶם׃

English Translation

And he said to them, Let the Lord be so with you, as I will let you go, and your little ones: look to it; for evil is before you.

Transliteration

Va'yomer alehem yehi ken Adonai imachem ka'asher ashalach etchem ve'et-tapchem re'u ki ra'ah neged pneichem.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֲלֵהֶ֗ם יְהִ֨י כֵ֤ן יְהֹוָה֙ עִמָּכֶ֔ם כַּאֲשֶׁ֛ר אֲשַׁלַּ֥ח אֶתְכֶ֖ם וְאֶֽת־טַפְּכֶ֑ם רְא֕וּ כִּ֥י רָעָ֖ה נֶ֥גֶד פְּנֵיכֶֽם׃
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֲלֵהֶ֗ם יְהִ֨י כֵ֤ן יְהֹוָה֙ עִמָּכֶ֔ם כַּאֲשֶׁ֛ר אֲשַׁלַּ֥ח אֶתְכֶ֖ם וְאֶֽת־טַפְּכֶ֑ם רְא֕וּ כִּ֥י רָעָ֖ה נֶ֥גֶד פְּנֵיכֶֽם׃

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Parasha Commentary

Context in Exodus 10:10

This verse appears during the negotiations between Pharaoh and Moshe (Moses) during the plague of locusts. Pharaoh initially agrees to let the men go to serve Hashem but refuses to allow the women and children to leave, insisting they remain in Egypt. His words contain both sarcasm and a veiled threat.

Pharaoh's Sarcastic Tone

Rashi explains that Pharaoh's statement "Let the Lord be so with you" is said mockingly, as if to say, "May your G-d help you as much as I intend to let you go"—meaning, not at all. The Midrash Tanchuma (Bo 5) similarly highlights Pharaoh's insincerity, showing his continued resistance to Hashem's will despite the plagues.

The Threat of "Evil Before You"

When Pharaoh says "for evil is before you," Ramban (Nachmanides) interprets this as a warning: Pharaoh implies that their request to leave with their children is foolish and dangerous. He suggests that disaster awaits them if they attempt to leave Egypt entirely, either from his own retaliation or from perceived dangers in the wilderness.

Pharaoh's Stubbornness and Control

  • Ibn Ezra notes that Pharaoh's refusal to release the children reveals his true intent—to ensure the Israelites remain under Egyptian domination, as holding the families hostage would force the men to return.
  • Sforno adds that Pharaoh's words reflect his arrogance, as he still believes he can negotiate with Hashem’s demands on his own terms.

Spiritual Significance

The Kli Yakar teaches that Pharaoh’s resistance symbolizes the yetzer hara (evil inclination), which seeks to prevent complete spiritual redemption. Just as Pharaoh tried to keep the children—the future of Bnei Yisrael—so too does the yetzer hara attempt to hinder the next generation’s connection to Torah and mitzvot.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Pharaoh mean when he says 'Let the Lord be so with you' in Exodus 10:10?
A: Rashi explains that Pharaoh is speaking sarcastically. He is mocking Moshe and Aharon, implying that just as he has no intention of truly letting them go (especially with their children), so too he doubts that Hashem will help them. It reveals Pharaoh's arrogance and refusal to acknowledge Hashem's power.
Q: Why does Pharaoh mention 'your little ones' in Exodus 10:10?
A: Pharaoh was trying to negotiate keeping the Israelite children in Egypt as hostages to ensure the adults would return. The Midrash teaches that this shows his cruelty—he wanted to separate families and weaken Bnei Yisrael's commitment to serving Hashem together as a complete nation.
Q: What does 'evil is before you' mean in Exodus 10:10?
A: Pharaoh is threatening Moshe and Aharon, warning them that their request to leave Egypt is dangerous. Ramban explains that Pharaoh is suggesting they will face harm if they persist. This reflects his stubbornness and his attempt to intimidate them into abandoning their mission from Hashem.