Exodus 3:18 - Elders demand Pharaoh's permission

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Hebrew Text

וְשָׁמְעוּ לְקֹלֶךָ וּבָאתָ אַתָּה וְזִקְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל אֶל־מֶלֶךְ מִצְרַיִם וַאֲמַרְתֶּם אֵלָיו יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵי הָעִבְרִיִּים נִקְרָה עָלֵינוּ וְעַתָּה נֵלֲכָה־נָּא דֶּרֶךְ שְׁלֹשֶׁת יָמִים בַּמִּדְבָּר וְנִזְבְּחָה לַיהוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ׃

English Translation

And they shall hearken to thy voice: and thou shalt come, thou and the elders of Yisra᾽el, to the king of Miżrayim, and you shall say to him, The Lord God of the Hebrews has met with us: and now let us go, we pray thee, three days’ journey into the wilderness, that we may sacrifice to the Lord our God.

Transliteration

Vesham'u lekolekha uvata atah veziknei Yisrael el-melekh Mitzrayim va'amartem elav Adonai Elohei ha'ivrim nikra aleinu ve'atah nelekhah-na derekh shloshet yamim bamidbar venizbecha l'Adonai Eloheinu.

Hebrew Leining Text

וְשָׁמְע֖וּ לְקֹלֶ֑ךָ וּבָאתָ֡ אַתָּה֩ וְזִקְנֵ֨י יִשְׂרָאֵ֜ל אֶל־מֶ֣לֶךְ מִצְרַ֗יִם וַאֲמַרְתֶּ֤ם אֵלָיו֙ יְהֹוָ֞ה אֱלֹהֵ֤י הָֽעִבְרִיִּים֙ נִקְרָ֣ה עָלֵ֔ינוּ וְעַתָּ֗ה נֵֽלְכָה־נָּ֞א דֶּ֣רֶךְ שְׁלֹ֤שֶׁת יָמִים֙ בַּמִּדְבָּ֔ר וְנִזְבְּחָ֖ה לַֽיהֹוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ׃

Parasha Commentary

Context in Shemot (Exodus) 3:18

This verse appears during Hashem's revelation to Moshe at the burning bush, instructing him on how to approach Pharaoh to request the Israelites' temporary departure for worship. The phrasing reflects both diplomacy and divine strategy in securing Bnei Yisrael's eventual freedom.

Key Themes and Interpretations

Collective Leadership: Rashi emphasizes that Moshe was commanded to bring the elders of Israel (זִקְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל) to demonstrate unity and lend credibility to the request. The elders represented the people's spiritual authority (Shemot Rabbah 3:12).
Diplomatic Approach: Ramban notes the deliberate mildness of the request—asking only for a three-day journey—to avoid provoking Pharaoh's suspicion while planting the seeds for full liberation (Ramban on Shemot 3:18).
"The Lord God of the Hebrews": The title אֱלֹהֵי הָעִבְרִיִּים underscores Hashem's covenant with Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaakov (Ibn Ezra), reminding Pharaoh of the Israelites' distinct identity and divine protection.

Midrashic Insights

The Midrash Tanchuma (Shemot 14) highlights that the three days symbolize preparation for receiving the Torah: one day to depart, one to return, and one for actual sacrifice—foreshadowing Matan Torah at Har Sinai. Alternatively, the Seforno suggests it reflects the time needed to purify oneself for divine service.

Halachic Implications

The Rambam (Hilchot Melachim 6:5) derives from this verse that leaders must advocate for their people's religious needs, even when facing powerful opposition. The phrasing וְנִזְבְּחָה לַיהוָה ("we may sacrifice") underscores the communal obligation of avodah (divine service).

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Exodus 3:18 mean when it says 'they shall hearken to thy voice'?
A: According to Rashi, this means that the Jewish elders would listen to Moshe (Moses) and accompany him to Pharaoh. It shows that the leaders of Israel would support Moshe in his mission to free the Jewish people from Egypt.

Q: Why did Hashem tell Moshe to ask Pharaoh for only a three-day journey to sacrifice?
A: The Midrash explains that Hashem instructed this approach to make the request seem reasonable and temporary, so Pharaoh might agree. It was a first step toward complete freedom, as demanding full emancipation immediately might have been rejected outright.

Q: What is the significance of mentioning 'the elders of Israel' in this verse?
A: The Ramban teaches that involving the elders showed unity and leadership among the Jewish people. It also gave credibility to Moshe's request before Pharaoh, as it wasn't just one person making the demand, but the representatives of the nation.

Q: Why did they need to go into the wilderness to sacrifice to Hashem?
A: The Talmud (Berachot 63b) explains that true service of Hashem requires separation from foreign influences. The wilderness symbolized purity and detachment from Egyptian idolatry, allowing the Jewish people to connect with Hashem without distractions.

Q: How does this verse apply to us today?
A: This teaches us the importance of approaching challenges with wisdom and gradual steps (like Moshe's initial request). It also shows the value of Jewish unity (through the elders) and the need to sometimes separate from surrounding influences to properly serve Hashem.