Exodus 3:8 - Divine promise: redemption and homeland.

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Hebrew Text

וָאֵרֵד לְהַצִּילוֹ מִיַּד מִצְרַיִם וּלְהַעֲלֹתוֹ מִן־הָאָרֶץ הַהִוא אֶל־אֶרֶץ טוֹבָה וּרְחָבָה אֶל־אֶרֶץ זָבַת חָלָב וּדְבָשׁ אֶל־מְקוֹם הַכְּנַעֲנִי וְהַחִתִּי וְהָאֱמֹרִי וְהַפְּרִזִּי וְהַחִוִּי וְהַיְבוּסִי׃

English Translation

and I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of Miżrayim, and to bring them up out of that land to a good land and a large, to a land flowing with milk and honey; to the place of the Kena῾ani, and the Ḥitti, and the Emori, and the Perizzi, and the Ḥivvi, and the Yevusi.

Transliteration

Va'ered lehatzilo miyad mitzrayim ul'ha'aloto min-ha'aretz hahi el-eretz tova ur'chava el-eretz zavat chalav udvash el-mekom hak'na'ani vehachiti veha'emori vehap'rizi vehachivi vehayevusi.

Hebrew Leining Text

וָאֵרֵ֞ד לְהַצִּיל֣וֹ&thinsp

Parasha Commentary

Divine Intervention and Redemption

The verse (Shemot 3:8) describes Hashem's promise to descend and redeem Bnei Yisrael from Mitzrayim. Rashi explains that the phrase "וָאֵרֵד" ("I am come down") signifies Hashem's direct involvement in the redemption, emphasizing that He does not merely send an agent but intervenes Himself. This mirrors the language used earlier in the Torah (Bereishit 11:5) when Hashem "descended" to witness the Tower of Bavel, showing His attentive governance of human affairs.

The Land of Israel: A Divine Gift

The description of Eretz Yisrael as "טוֹבָה וּרְחָבָה" ("good and spacious") reflects its spiritual and physical bounty. Rambam (Hilchot Melachim 5:10) notes that the land's inherent kedusha (holiness) makes it uniquely suited for divine service. The phrase "זָבַת חָלָב וּדְבָשׁ" ("flowing with milk and honey") is interpreted by the Sifrei (Devarim 26:9) as symbolic of abundance—milk representing pastoral wealth and honey (from dates) representing agricultural prosperity.

The Seven Nations and Their Significance

The listing of the seven nations—Kena'ani, Ḥitti, Emori, Perizzi, Ḥivvi, and Yevusi—serves multiple purposes in Jewish thought:

Historical Context: These nations inhabited Eretz Yisrael, and their presence underscores the land's transition from impurity (under their rule) to kedusha (under Bnei Yisrael). (Ramban on Devarim 7:1)
Spiritual Challenge: The Midrash (Tanchuma, Shoftim 8) teaches that these nations represent negative spiritual forces (e.g., idolatry, immorality) that Bnei Yisrael must overcome to fully inherit the land.
Divine Promise: Mentioning them here reaffirms Hashem's commitment to displace these nations, as later commanded in Devarim 20:16-18.

The Dual Nature of Redemption

The verse frames redemption in two parts: 1) "לְהַצִּילוֹ מִיַּד מִצְרַיִם" ("to deliver from Mitzrayim")—physical liberation from slavery; and 2) "וּלְהַעֲלֹתוֹ... אֶל־אֶרֶץ טוֹבָה" ("to bring them up to a good land")—spiritual elevation through settling Eretz Yisrael. The Kli Yakar (Shemot 3:8) highlights this duality, noting that true geulah (redemption) requires both freedom from oppression and ascent to a divine purpose.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does 'a land flowing with milk and honey' mean in Exodus 3:8?
A: The phrase 'a land flowing with milk and honey' (אֶרֶץ זָבַת חָלָב וּדְבָשׁ) is a metaphor describing the fertility and abundance of the Land of Israel. According to Rashi, 'milk' refers to the richness of livestock, and 'honey' refers to the sweetness of fruits, particularly date honey. The land was blessed with natural resources, making it ideal for sustaining the Jewish people.

Q: Why does G-d mention the nations living in Canaan in Exodus 3:8?
A: G-d lists the nations (the Canaanite, Hittite, Amorite, etc.) to emphasize that the Land of Israel was inhabited by other peoples at the time, but it was destined for the Israelites. The Rambam explains that this was a promise that the Jewish people would inherit the land, despite the current inhabitants, as part of the covenant with their forefathers (Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaakov).

Q: What is the significance of G-d saying 'I am come down to deliver them' in Exodus 3:8?
A: The phrase 'I am come down to deliver them' (וָאֵרֵד לְהַצִּילוֹ) shows G-d's direct intervention in Jewish history. The Midrash teaches that this demonstrates G-d's compassion—He 'descends' into human affairs to rescue His people from suffering. This also sets the stage for the Exodus, showing that redemption is a divine act, not just a historical event.

Q: How does Exodus 3:8 relate to the Jewish people today?
A: This verse reminds us of G-d's eternal promise to the Jewish people and the sanctity of the Land of Israel. The Talmud (Ketubot 111a) teaches that the covenant of the land is everlasting. Orthodox Jews see this as a foundational belief—that Israel is our homeland, given by G-d, and we continue to cherish and settle it in accordance with Torah values.