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Exodus 10:16 - Pharaoh's fleeting repentance questioned

Exodus 10:16 - שמות 10:16

Hebrew Text

וַיְמַהֵר פַּרְעֹה לִקְרֹא לְמֹשֶׁה וּלְאַהֲרֹן וַיֹּאמֶר חָטָאתִי לַיהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם וְלָכֶם׃

English Translation

Then Par῾o called for Moshe and Aharon in haste; and he said, I have sinned against the Lord your God, and against you.

Transliteration

Vayemaher Paro likro leMoshe uleAharon vayomer chatati laHashem Eloheichem velachem.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיְמַהֵ֣ר פַּרְעֹ֔ה לִקְרֹ֖א לְמֹשֶׁ֣ה וּֽלְאַהֲרֹ֑ן וַיֹּ֗אמֶר חָטָ֛אתִי לַיהֹוָ֥ה אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֖ם וְלָכֶֽם׃
וַיְמַהֵ֣ר פַּרְעֹ֔ה לִקְרֹ֖א לְמֹשֶׁ֣ה וּֽלְאַהֲרֹ֑ן וַיֹּ֗אמֶר חָטָ֛אתִי לַיהֹוָ֥ה אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֖ם וְלָכֶֽם׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Pharaoh's Admission of Sin

The verse describes Pharaoh hastily summoning Moshe and Aharon and confessing, "I have sinned against the Lord your God, and against you." This moment occurs during the plague of locusts (Exodus 10:16-17), demonstrating Pharaoh's temporary remorse under divine pressure.

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi (Exodus 10:16) notes that Pharaoh's haste ("וַיְמַהֵר") indicates his desperation as the plague intensified. He highlights that Pharaoh acknowledges Hashem as "your God" (אֱלֹהֵיכֶם) rather than his own, showing his incomplete repentance—he still does not fully accept Hashem's sovereignty.

Rambam on Pharaoh's Repentance

In Hilchot Teshuvah (2:3), Rambam teaches that true repentance requires abandoning sin when faced with the same temptation. Pharaoh's confession was insincere because he later hardened his heart again (Exodus 10:20). His teshuvah was motivated by fear of punishment, not genuine remorse.

Midrashic Insights

  • The Mechilta (Bo 13) states that Pharaoh's admission was coerced by the severity of the plagues, not voluntary. This aligns with the principle that repentance under duress lacks the sincerity of free-willed teshuvah.
  • Midrash Tanchuma (Va'eira 14) contrasts Pharaoh's half-hearted confession with the genuine repentance of the Ninevites in the book of Jonah, who changed their actions entirely.

The Dual Sin: Against Hashem and Bnei Yisrael

Pharaoh admits sinning "against the Lord your God and against you." The Kli Yakar (Exodus 10:16) explains this twofold confession:

  • Against Hashem: Denying divine authority and refusing to release Bnei Yisrael.
  • Against Moshe and Aharon: Disrespecting them as Hashem's messengers and initially dismissing their demands (Exodus 5:2).

Lessons on Sincere Repentance

The Seforno (Exodus 10:17) emphasizes that Pharaoh's plea for Moshe to "remove this death" (the locusts) focused only on ending his suffering, not rectifying his moral failure. This teaches that true teshuvah requires addressing both the sin and its root cause, not merely seeking relief from consequences.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Yoma 86b
The verse is cited in a discussion about repentance and the sincerity of Pharaoh's confession of sin.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did Pharaoh suddenly admit his sin?
A: According to Rashi, Pharaoh only admitted his sin when he saw the severity of the locust plague (Exodus 10:16). The Midrash explains that his advisors pressured him to relent after Egypt was devastated. His confession wasn't sincere repentance, but rather fear of further punishment.
Q: What does it mean that Pharaoh sinned 'against you' (Moshe and Aharon)?
A: The Talmud (Sanhedrin 101b) teaches that Pharaoh recognized he wronged Moshe and Aharon by not listening to them earlier. Rambam explains that harming G-d's messengers is considered a sin against G-d Himself, which is why Pharaoh mentions both.
Q: Why does the verse say Pharaoh called them 'in haste'?
A: Rashi notes this shows Pharaoh's desperation - the plague was so overwhelming that he couldn't delay. The Midrash Tanchuma adds that true repentance requires urgency, though in Pharaoh's case it was only due to the crisis.
Q: How is this verse relevant to the concept of repentance?
A: The Rambam (Hilchot Teshuvah 2:1) uses this as an example of incomplete repentance - Pharaoh only confessed under duress. This teaches that proper teshuvah requires sincere regret, not just crisis-driven admissions. However, it still shows the power of admitting wrongdoing.
Q: Why does Pharaoh say 'your G-d' instead of 'my G-d'?
A: Ibn Ezra explains this proves Pharaoh didn't truly accept Hashem's sovereignty - he saw G-d as belonging to the Israelites, not as the universal Creator. This reflects his persistent arrogance despite the plagues, a lesson about the difference between forced compliance and genuine faith.