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Exodus 4:19 - Safe return to Egypt now

Exodus 4:19 - שמות 4:19

Hebrew Text

וַיֹּאמֶר יְהוָה אֶל־מֹשֶׁה בְּמִדְיָן לֵךְ שֻׁב מִצְרָיִם כִּי־מֵתוּ כָּל־הָאֲנָשִׁים הַמְבַקְשִׁים אֶת־נַפְשֶׁךָ׃

English Translation

And the Lord said to Moshe in Midyan, Go return to Miżrayim: for all the men are dead who sought thy life.

Transliteration

Va'yomer Adonai el-Moshe b'Midyan lech shuv Mitzrayim ki-metu kol-ha'anashim ham'vakshim et-nafshecha.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיֹּ֨אמֶר יְהֹוָ֤ה אֶל־מֹשֶׁה֙ בְּמִדְיָ֔ן לֵ֖ךְ שֻׁ֣ב מִצְרָ֑יִם כִּי־מֵ֙תוּ֙ כׇּל־הָ֣אֲנָשִׁ֔ים הַֽמְבַקְשִׁ֖ים אֶת־נַפְשֶֽׁךָ׃
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר יְהֹוָ֤ה אֶל־מֹשֶׁה֙ בְּמִדְיָ֔ן לֵ֖ךְ שֻׁ֣ב מִצְרָ֑יִם כִּי־מֵ֙תוּ֙ כׇּל־הָ֣אֲנָשִׁ֔ים הַֽמְבַקְשִׁ֖ים אֶת־נַפְשֶֽׁךָ׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Context of the Verse

This verse (Shemot 4:19) occurs after Hashem appears to Moshe at the burning bush and commands him to return to Mitzrayim to lead Bnei Yisrael out of slavery. Moshe had fled Mitzrayim years earlier after killing an Egyptian taskmaster who was beating a Hebrew slave, fearing Pharaoh's retribution.

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi explains that the "men who sought your life" refers to Datan and Aviram, who had informed Pharaoh about Moshe killing the Egyptian. According to Rashi, they were not literally dead but had lost their wealth and influence, rendering them no longer a threat. This interpretation is based on the Talmudic principle (Berachos 58a) that poverty is considered a form of death.

Ibn Ezra's Perspective

Ibn Ezra offers a more literal interpretation, stating that these men had actually died, thereby removing the immediate danger to Moshe's life. He notes that this demonstrates Hashem's hashgacha pratis (divine providence) in ensuring Moshe's safety before sending him back to Mitzrayim.

Midrashic Insights

  • The Midrash (Shemos Rabbah 4:2) suggests that the verse refers not only to human enemies but also to the heavenly accusers who opposed Moshe's mission.
  • Another Midrashic view (Tanchuma Shemot 10) connects this to the concept that when Hashem chooses a leader, He first removes all obstacles to that leadership.

Halachic Implications

The Rambam (Hilchos Yesodei HaTorah 7:6) cites this verse as proof that a navi must provide a sign that their prophecy is true. Here, Hashem provides Moshe with verifiable information (the death of his pursuers) as evidence of the divine origin of his mission.

Chassidic Interpretation

The Baal Shem Tov taught that this verse also carries a spiritual message: before one can undertake a mission of redemption ("return to Mitzrayim"), one must first eliminate the internal "men" - the negative traits and doubts ("who sought your life") that threaten one's spiritual vitality.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did Hashem tell Moshe to return to Egypt in Exodus 4:19?
A: Hashem told Moshe to return to Egypt because those who wanted to kill him for killing an Egyptian (Exodus 2:11-15) had died (Rashi on Exodus 4:19). This removed the immediate danger, allowing Moshe to safely return to lead the Jewish people out of slavery.
Q: Who were the men seeking Moshe's life in Exodus 4:19?
A: The men seeking Moshe's life were Pharaoh and his advisors who wanted to punish Moshe for killing an Egyptian taskmaster who was beating a Jewish slave (Rashi on Exodus 2:15, 4:19). The Midrash explains they died or were removed from power, making it safe for Moshe to return.
Q: What lesson can we learn from Hashem's message to Moshe in Exodus 4:19?
A: We learn that Hashem protects those He chooses for a mission and removes obstacles in their path. Just as Hashem ensured Moshe's safety by removing his enemies, we must trust that when Hashem gives us a task, He will provide what we need to accomplish it (based on Rambam's teachings on divine providence).
Q: Why does the Torah mention that this happened in Midyan in Exodus 4:19?
A: The Torah specifies Midyan to show Moshe had found refuge there after fleeing Egypt (Exodus 2:15), and now Hashem was calling him from that same place to return. This highlights how Hashem's plan unfolds in proper timing - first protection, then mission (Ibn Ezra on Exodus 4:19).
Q: How does Exodus 4:19 show Hashem's care for leaders?
A: This verse demonstrates that Hashem prepares the way for leaders by removing dangers before sending them on their mission. The Talmud (Berachos 10a) teaches that Hashem protects the righteous from harm, as seen here with Moshe's safe return to Egypt.