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Exodus 4:21 - Divine hardening, human choice?

Exodus 4:21 - שמות 4:21

Hebrew Text

וַיֹּאמֶר יְהוָה אֶל־מֹשֶׁה בְּלֶכְתְּךָ לָשׁוּב מִצְרַיְמָה רְאֵה כָּל־הַמֹּפְתִים אֲשֶׁר־שַׂמְתִּי בְיָדֶךָ וַעֲשִׂיתָם לִפְנֵי פַרְעֹה וַאֲנִי אֲחַזֵּק אֶת־לִבּוֹ וְלֹא יְשַׁלַּח אֶת־הָעָם׃

English Translation

And the Lord said to Moshe, When thou goest to return to Miżrayim, see that thou do before Par῾o all those wonders which I have put in thy hand: but I will harden his heart, that he shall not let the people go.

Transliteration

Va'yomer Adonai el-Moshe be'lecht'cha lashuv Mitzrayma re'e kol-ha'moftim asher-samti be'yadecha va'asitam lifnei Par'o va'ani achazek et-libo ve'lo yeshalach et-ha'am.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר יְהֹוָה֮ אֶל־מֹשֶׁה֒ בְּלֶכְתְּךָ֙ לָשׁ֣וּב מִצְרַ֔יְמָה רְאֵ֗ה כׇּל־הַמֹּֽפְתִים֙ אֲשֶׁר־שַׂ֣מְתִּי בְיָדֶ֔ךָ וַעֲשִׂיתָ֖ם לִפְנֵ֣י פַרְעֹ֑ה וַאֲנִי֙ אֲחַזֵּ֣ק אֶת־לִבּ֔וֹ וְלֹ֥א יְשַׁלַּ֖ח אֶת־הָעָֽם׃
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר יְהֹוָה֮ אֶל־מֹשֶׁה֒ בְּלֶכְתְּךָ֙ לָשׁ֣וּב מִצְרַ֔יְמָה רְאֵ֗ה כׇּל־הַמֹּֽפְתִים֙ אֲשֶׁר־שַׂ֣מְתִּי בְיָדֶ֔ךָ וַעֲשִׂיתָ֖ם לִפְנֵ֣י פַרְעֹ֑ה וַאֲנִי֙ אֲחַזֵּ֣ק אֶת־לִבּ֔וֹ וְלֹ֥א יְשַׁלַּ֖ח אֶת־הָעָֽם׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Divine Command to Moshe

The verse (Shemot 4:21) describes Hashem instructing Moshe to return to Mitzrayim and perform the mofetim (wonders) before Pharaoh. Rashi explains that these mofetim refer to the signs Moshe was given earlier (the staff turning into a snake, the leprous hand, and water turning to blood), which were meant to demonstrate Hashem's power. The instruction to perform them before Pharaoh indicates that these signs were not just for Moshe's assurance but were part of the divine plan to confront Pharaoh directly.

The Hardening of Pharaoh's Heart

The phrase "I will harden his heart" raises theological questions about free will. Rambam (Hilchot Teshuvah 6:3) explains that when a person repeatedly sins despite warnings, Hashem may remove their ability to repent as a form of punishment. Pharaoh's persistent refusal to release Bnei Yisrael after witnessing multiple miracles demonstrated his wickedness, leading to the hardening of his heart as a divine decree.

Purpose of the Plagues

The Midrash (Shemot Rabbah 5:6) teaches that the hardening of Pharaoh's heart served a greater purpose: to demonstrate Hashem's absolute power over creation. By escalating the plagues despite Pharaoh's obstinance, Hashem revealed His glory to both Mitzrayim and Bnei Yisrael. The Netziv (Ha'amek Davar) adds that this process also refined Bnei Yisrael's faith, preparing them for Yetziat Mitzrayim.

Key Lessons from the Verse

  • Divine Justice: Pharaoh's free will was not initially removed; his heart was hardened only after he repeatedly chose evil (Sforno).
  • Miracles as Revelation: The mofetim were not merely punitive but served to reveal Hashem's presence in history (Ramban).
  • Human Responsibility: The verse underscores that even powerful rulers are subject to divine judgment (Malbim).

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Sanhedrin 106b
The verse is referenced in a discussion about Pharaoh's hardened heart and divine intervention in human decisions.
📖 Exodus Rabbah 5:6
The Midrash discusses this verse in the context of the signs and wonders performed by Moses before Pharaoh.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does it mean that Hashem will harden Pharaoh's heart?
A: According to Rashi and other commentators, Hashem hardened Pharaoh's heart after Pharaoh repeatedly chose evil on his own. This was a punishment for his wickedness - by removing his free will temporarily, Pharaoh could no longer repent, allowing the full measure of divine justice to be carried out through the Ten Plagues.
Q: Why did Moshe need to perform wonders before Pharaoh?
A: The Midrash explains that these miracles served two purposes: 1) To prove Moshe was truly sent by Hashem, and 2) To give Pharaoh opportunities to repent before the severe plagues began. The wonders were acts of mercy before judgment, as Hashem always warns before punishing.
Q: How does this verse show Hashem's control over history?
A: The Rambam teaches that this verse demonstrates Hashem's complete sovereignty. Even a powerful king like Pharaoh is under divine control. Hashem orchestrated these events to: 1) Free the Jewish people, 2) Show His power through the plagues, and 3) Teach all nations about the one true G-d.
Q: What lesson can we learn from Pharaoh's hardened heart?
A: The Talmud (Yoma 69b) derives an important lesson: If someone sins repeatedly and doesn't repent, they may lose opportunities to change. This teaches us to repent immediately when we realize we've done wrong, before the chance passes. Pharaoh's story warns against stubbornness in the face of truth.
Q: Why did Hashem tell Moshe this before going to Pharaoh?
A: Rashi explains that Hashem prepared Moshe by telling him Pharaoh wouldn't listen immediately. This prevented Moshe from becoming discouraged when Pharaoh resisted. It teaches us that difficulties in doing mitzvot don't mean we're failing - sometimes obstacles are part of Hashem's plan for greater good.