share torah logo

Exodus 32:13 - Patriarchs' eternal covenant promise?

Exodus 32:13 - שמות 32:13

Hebrew Text

זְכֹר לְאַבְרָהָם לְיִצְחָק וּלְיִשְׂרָאֵל עֲבָדֶיךָ אֲשֶׁר נִשְׁבַּעְתָּ לָהֶם בָּךְ וַתְּדַבֵּר אֲלֵהֶם אַרְבֶּה אֶת־זַרְעֲכֶם כְּכוֹכְבֵי הַשָּׁמָיִם וְכָל־הָאָרֶץ הַזֹּאת אֲשֶׁר אָמַרְתִּי אֶתֵּן לְזַרְעֲכֶם וְנָחֲלוּ לְעֹלָם׃

English Translation

Remember Avraham, Yiżĥaq, and Yisra᾽el, thy servants, to whom thou didst swear by thy own self, and didst say to them, I will multiply your seed as the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have spoken of will I give to your seed, and they shall inherit it for ever.

Transliteration

Zekhor le'Avraham le'Yitzhak ule'Yisrael avadeikha asher nishbata lahem bakh vatedaber alehem arbeh et-zar'akhem k'khochvei hashamayim vechol-ha'aretz hazot asher amarti eten lezar'akhem venachalu le'olam.

Hebrew Leining Text

זְכֹ֡ר לְאַבְרָהָם֩ לְיִצְחָ֨ק וּלְיִשְׂרָאֵ֜ל עֲבָדֶ֗יךָ אֲשֶׁ֨ר נִשְׁבַּ֣עְתָּ לָהֶם֮ בָּךְ֒ וַתְּדַבֵּ֣ר אֲלֵהֶ֔ם אַרְבֶּה֙ אֶֽת־זַרְעֲכֶ֔ם כְּכוֹכְבֵ֖י הַשָּׁמָ֑יִם וְכׇל־הָאָ֨רֶץ הַזֹּ֜את אֲשֶׁ֣ר אָמַ֗רְתִּי אֶתֵּן֙ לְזַרְעֲכֶ֔ם וְנָחֲל֖וּ לְעֹלָֽם׃
זְכֹ֡ר לְאַבְרָהָם֩ לְיִצְחָ֨ק וּלְיִשְׂרָאֵ֜ל עֲבָדֶ֗יךָ אֲשֶׁ֨ר נִשְׁבַּ֣עְתָּ לָהֶם֮ בָּךְ֒ וַתְּדַבֵּ֣ר אֲלֵהֶ֔ם אַרְבֶּה֙ אֶֽת־זַרְעֲכֶ֔ם כְּכוֹכְבֵ֖י הַשָּׁמָ֑יִם וְכׇל־הָאָ֨רֶץ הַזֹּ֜את אֲשֶׁ֣ר אָמַ֗רְתִּי אֶתֵּן֙ לְזַרְעֲכֶ֔ם וְנָחֲל֖וּ לְעֹלָֽם׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Context of the Verse

This verse appears in Shemot (Exodus) 32:13, where Moshe Rabbeinu pleads with Hashem to spare Bnei Yisrael after the sin of the Golden Calf. Moshe invokes the merit of the Avot (Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaakov) and the covenant Hashem made with them.

Invoking the Merit of the Avot

Rashi explains that Moshe mentions the Avot in this order—Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yisrael (Yaakov)—to emphasize the unique covenant Hashem made with each:

  • Avraham: The first to recognize Hashem and enter the covenant (Bereishit 15:5-18).
  • Yitzchak: The binding of Yitzchak (Akeidah) solidified the covenant (Bereishit 22:16-18).
  • Yisrael (Yaakov): The promise was reaffirmed to Yaakov (Bereishit 28:13-14).

The Oath and the Promise

The phrase "asher nishba'ta lahem bach" ("to whom You swore by Yourself") highlights that Hashem's oath was unconditional, as He swore by His own Name (Ramban). The Midrash (Shemot Rabbah 44:1) teaches that Moshe appealed to this oath because a divine oath cannot be revoked.

Multiplication of Seed Like the Stars

The comparison to the stars ("k'kochevei hashamayim") appears multiple times in the Torah (e.g., Bereishit 15:5, 22:17). The Kli Yakar explains that just as stars appear small but are vast in reality, so too Bnei Yisrael may seem insignificant in exile but are destined for greatness.

Inheritance of the Land Forever

The phrase "v'nachalu l'olam" ("they shall inherit it forever") underscores the eternal nature of the covenant. The Sforno notes that this inheritance is conditional on Bnei Yisrael upholding the Torah, but Moshe here appeals to Hashem's original promise, which transcends temporary failures.

Moshe's Argument

According to the Ohr HaChaim, Moshe's plea was twofold:

  • Hashem's oath to the Avot was absolute and could not be nullified.
  • Destroying Bnei Yisrael would appear as if Hashem reneged on His promise, which would desecrate His Name.

Thus, Moshe successfully invoked the merit of the Avot to secure mercy for the nation.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

The verse is referenced in the context of Moses' plea to God for mercy on behalf of the Israelites, illustrating the power of invoking the merit of the patriarchs.
📖 Rosh Hashanah 11a
The verse is mentioned in a discussion about the covenant with the patriarchs and its implications for their descendants.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Exodus 32:13 mean?
A: In Exodus 32:13, Moshe (Moses) is pleading with Hashem (G-d) to remember His covenant with Avraham, Yitzchak (Isaac), and Yaakov (Jacob, also called Yisrael). Moshe reminds Hashem of His promise to make their descendants as numerous as the stars and to give them the Land of Israel as an eternal inheritance. This verse shows Moshe's role as an advocate for the Jewish people, especially after the sin of the Golden Calf.
Q: Why is this verse important in Judaism?
A: This verse is important because it emphasizes the eternal covenant between Hashem and the Jewish people through our forefathers. The promise of the Land of Israel and numerous descendants is a foundational belief in Judaism, as mentioned throughout the Torah. Rashi explains that Moshe invoked the merit of the Avot (forefathers) to seek mercy for the Jewish people after their mistake with the Golden Calf.
Q: What can we learn from Moshe's prayer in this verse?
A: We learn the power of prayer and the importance of invoking the merit of our righteous ancestors (zechut avot). Moshe teaches us to appeal to Hashem's promises and kindness, especially in times of difficulty. The Talmud (Berachot 32a) discusses how Moshe's prayer here serves as a model for how to plead before Hashem with sincerity and faith in His covenant.
Q: How does the promise in this verse apply to Jews today?
A: The promise of the Land of Israel and numerous descendants remains eternally relevant. The Rambam (Maimonides) writes in Hilchot Melachim that these promises are everlasting. Today, Jews worldwide maintain a connection to the Land of Israel as our eternal inheritance, and we see the fulfillment of the promise of numerous descendants in the Jewish people's survival and growth throughout history.
Q: Why does Moshe mention the stars of heaven in this verse?
A: Moshe references Hashem's promise to make the Jewish people 'as numerous as the stars of heaven' (originally told to Avraham in Bereishit 15:5) to remind Hashem of His everlasting covenant. The Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah) explains that just as stars are countless and shine even in darkness, the Jewish people will always endure and illuminate the world, no matter the challenges they face.