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Exodus 5:3 - Divine demand for wilderness worship

Exodus 5:3 - שמות 5:3

Hebrew Text

וַיֹּאמְרוּ אֱלֹהֵי הָעִבְרִים נִקְרָא עָלֵינוּ נֵלֲכָה נָּא דֶּרֶךְ שְׁלֹשֶׁת יָמִים בַּמִּדְבָּר וְנִזְבְּחָה לַיהוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ פֶּן־יִפְגָּעֵנוּ בַּדֶּבֶר אוֹ בֶחָרֶב׃

English Translation

And they said, The God of the Hebrews has met with us: let us go, we pray thee, three days’ journey into the desert, and sacrifice to the Lord our God; lest he fall upon us with pestilence, or with the sword.

Transliteration

Vayomru Elohei ha'ivrim nikra aleinu, nelcha na derech shloshet yamim bamidbar venizbecha la'Hashem Eloheinu, pen yifga'enu badever o bacharev.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיֹּ֣אמְר֔וּ אֱלֹהֵ֥י הָעִבְרִ֖ים נִקְרָ֣א עָלֵ֑ינוּ נֵ֣לְכָה נָּ֡א דֶּ֩רֶךְ֩ שְׁלֹ֨שֶׁת יָמִ֜ים בַּמִּדְבָּ֗ר וְנִזְבְּחָה֙ לַֽיהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֵ֔ינוּ פֶּ֨ן־יִפְגָּעֵ֔נוּ בַּדֶּ֖בֶר א֥וֹ בֶחָֽרֶב׃
וַיֹּ֣אמְר֔וּ אֱלֹהֵ֥י הָעִבְרִ֖ים נִקְרָ֣א עָלֵ֑ינוּ נֵ֣לְכָה נָּ֡א דֶּ֩רֶךְ֩ שְׁלֹ֨שֶׁת יָמִ֜ים בַּמִּדְבָּ֗ר וְנִזְבְּחָה֙ לַֽיהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֵ֔ינוּ פֶּ֨ן־יִפְגָּעֵ֔נוּ בַּדֶּ֖בֶר א֥וֹ בֶחָֽרֶב׃

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Parasha Commentary

Context of the Verse

This verse (Exodus 5:3) records Moshe and Aharon's request to Pharaoh to allow Bnei Yisrael to journey into the wilderness to serve Hashem. The request is framed as a three-day journey to avoid divine punishment, which Rashi explains was a strategic approach to avoid provoking Pharaoh immediately.

Phrase-by-Phrase Analysis

  • "The God of the Hebrews has met with us" - Rashi notes that this phrasing emphasizes that Hashem had revealed Himself specifically to the Hebrews (Bnei Yisrael), distinguishing them from the Egyptians. The Midrash Tanchuma adds that this was a reminder of the covenant with Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaakov.
  • "Three days' journey into the desert" - Ramban suggests that this request was a test of Pharaoh’s willingness to acknowledge Hashem’s authority. The three days may also allude to the future revelation at Har Sinai, as hinted in Shemot 19:11.
  • "Lest He fall upon us with pestilence or with the sword" - The Sforno explains that Moshe and Aharon were warning Pharaoh that refusing this request would bring divine retribution, either through plague (דבר) or war (חרב), foreshadowing the eventual makkot.

Strategic Diplomacy

The Talmud (Sanhedrin 111a) discusses how Moshe and Aharon used measured language to avoid escalating tensions prematurely. By requesting only a temporary departure, they sought to make the demand seem less threatening to Pharaoh. The Midrash (Shemot Rabbah 5:14) elaborates that this was a test of Pharaoh’s humility—had he agreed, further suffering could have been avoided.

Theological Implications

The Malbim highlights that the phrase "נִזְבְּחָה לַיהוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ" ("we will sacrifice to Hashem our God") underscores the exclusivity of Avodas Hashem—Bnei Yisrael could not properly serve Hashem while enslaved in Egypt, where idolatry dominated. The three-day separation was necessary to break from the impurity of Egyptian culture.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does 'The God of the Hebrews has met with us' mean in Exodus 5:3?
A: In Exodus 5:3, Moshe and Aharon are telling Pharaoh that Hashem (God) has appeared to them and commanded them to go into the wilderness to serve Him. Rashi explains that this phrase emphasizes that the God of the Hebrews has made a specific demand, showing that this is a divine command, not just a human request.
Q: Why did Moshe ask for a three-day journey into the desert in Exodus 5:3?
A: According to the Midrash (Shemot Rabbah), Moshe asked for a three-day journey to make the request seem more reasonable to Pharaoh. A shorter trip would appear less threatening, making it more likely for Pharaoh to agree. Additionally, the number three often symbolizes completeness in Jewish tradition.
Q: What is the significance of sacrificing to Hashem in the desert in Exodus 5:3?
A: The desert was a neutral place, free from the idolatry of Egypt. The Rambam (Hilchot Avodat Kochavim) teaches that serving Hashem away from Egyptian influence was essential to avoid any association with their idol worship. Sacrificing in the wilderness allowed Bnei Yisrael to connect purely with Hashem.
Q: Why did Moshe mention 'pestilence or the sword' as consequences in Exodus 5:3?
A: Moshe was warning Pharaoh that refusing to let Bnei Yisrael serve Hashem would bring divine punishment. The Talmud (Berachot 32b) teaches that these consequences represent different forms of divine justice—pestilence (natural disaster) and the sword (war)—showing that resistance to Hashem’s will has severe repercussions.
Q: How does Exodus 5:3 apply to us today?
A: This verse teaches the importance of standing up for our religious obligations, even when facing opposition. Just as Moshe and Aharon insisted on fulfilling Hashem’s command despite Pharaoh’s resistance, we must prioritize our service to Hashem, even in challenging circumstances. The Sforno adds that true devotion requires courage and commitment.