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Exodus 12:31 - Pharaoh surrenders to Divine will

Exodus 12:31 - שמות 12:31

Hebrew Text

וַיִּקְרָא לְמֹשֶׁה וּלְאַהֲרֹן לַיְלָה וַיֹּאמֶר קוּמוּ צְּאוּ מִתּוֹךְ עַמִּי גַּם־אַתֶּם גַּם־בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל וּלְכוּ עִבְדוּ אֶת־יְהוָה כְּדַבֶּרְכֶם׃

English Translation

And he called for Moshe and Aharon by night, and said, Rise up, and get you out from among my people, both you and the children of Yisra᾽el; and go, serve the Lord, as you have said.

Transliteration

Vayikra le-Moshe ule-Aharon laila vayomer kumu tze'u mitoch ami gam-atem gam-bnei Yisrael ulchu ivdu et-Adonai kedabrechem.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיִּקְרָא֩ לְמֹשֶׁ֨ה וּֽלְאַהֲרֹ֜ן לַ֗יְלָה וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ ק֤וּמוּ צְּאוּ֙ מִתּ֣וֹךְ עַמִּ֔י גַּם־אַתֶּ֖ם גַּם־בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל וּלְכ֛וּ עִבְד֥וּ אֶת־יְהֹוָ֖ה כְּדַבֶּרְכֶֽם׃
וַיִּקְרָא֩ לְמֹשֶׁ֨ה וּֽלְאַהֲרֹ֜ן לַ֗יְלָה וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ ק֤וּמוּ צְּאוּ֙ מִתּ֣וֹךְ עַמִּ֔י גַּם־אַתֶּ֖ם גַּם־בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל וּלְכ֛וּ עִבְד֥וּ אֶת־יְהֹוָ֖ה כְּדַבֶּרְכֶֽם׃

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Parasha Commentary

Context in Shemot (Exodus) 12:31

This verse describes Pharaoh's urgent command to Moshe and Aharon during the final plague, Makat Bechorot (the Plague of the Firstborn), compelling Bnei Yisrael to leave Egypt immediately. The call comes "by night", emphasizing the suddenness and desperation of Pharaoh's decree after the devastating plague.

Rashi's Commentary

Rashi (Shemot 12:31) highlights two key insights:

  • "By night": Pharaoh summoned them at night because the plague struck at midnight, and he could no longer delay their departure.
  • "From among my people": Pharaoh acknowledges that Bnei Yisrael are no longer under his dominion but are Hashem's people, as he says, "Go, serve the Lord"—fulfilling their original request.

Midrashic Interpretations

The Midrash (Shemot Rabbah 18:1) elaborates:

  • Pharaoh's call "by night" symbolizes the darkness of his reign and the dawn of redemption for Bnei Yisrael.
  • The phrase "both you and the children of Yisrael" underscores that even Moshe and Aharon, who were not enslaved, were included in the exodus, demonstrating unity.

Rambam's Perspective

In Hilchot Chametz U'Matzah (7:1), Rambam connects this moment to the mitzvah of recounting the Exodus, emphasizing that Pharaoh's forced admission ("serve the Lord as you have said") reflects the ultimate fulfillment of divine justice—the oppressor conceding defeat.

Symbolism of "Kumu" (Rise Up)

The Kli Yakar (Shemot 12:31) notes that "Rise up" signifies spiritual elevation: Bnei Yisrael were not merely fleeing but ascending to their destined role as Am Hashem (the Nation of God). Pharaoh's words unwittingly affirmed their divine mission.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did Pharaoh call Moshe and Aharon at night to tell them to leave?
A: According to Rashi, Pharaoh called them at night because the plague of the firstborn happened at midnight, and he was in a state of panic. He urgently wanted the Israelites to leave immediately to stop further suffering in Egypt.
Q: What does 'serve the Lord, as you have said' mean in this verse?
A: This refers to the Israelites' request to go into the wilderness to serve Hashem through sacrifices and prayer (Exodus 5:1, 8:27). Pharaoh finally acknowledges their right to worship, as Moshe and Aharon had repeatedly demanded.
Q: Why does the verse say 'get you out from among my people'?
A: The Midrash explains that Pharaoh now saw the Israelites as separate from the Egyptians due to the plagues. They were no longer under his control, and he wanted them gone to prevent further divine punishment on Egypt.
Q: How does this verse show Pharaoh's change of heart?
A: After stubbornly refusing to let Israel go despite nine plagues, the final plague (death of the firstborn) breaks Pharaoh's resistance. Rambam teaches that this demonstrates how even the hardest hearts can be humbled by Hashem's power.
Q: What lesson can we learn from Pharaoh telling them to leave 'as you have said'?
A: The Talmud (Berachos 9a) derives from here that even when wicked people seem to agree with righteousness, their words often come from fear or pressure rather than true change. Pharaoh only relented after severe punishment, not from genuine repentance.