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Exodus 5:4 - Pharaoh rejects divine mission

Exodus 5:4 - שמות 5:4

Hebrew Text

וַיֹּאמֶר אֲלֵהֶם מֶלֶךְ מִצְרַיִם לָמָּה מֹשֶׁה וְאַהֲרֹן תַּפְרִיעוּ אֶת־הָעָם מִמַּעֲשָׂיו לְכוּ לְסִבְלֹתֵיכֶם׃

English Translation

And the king of Miżrayim said to them, Why do you, Moshe and Aharon, distract the people from their works? get you to your burdens.

Transliteration

Va'yomer alehem melech Mitzrayim lamah Moshe ve'Aharon tafri'u et-ha'am mi'ma'asav lechu le'sivloteichem.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיֹּ֤אמֶר אֲלֵהֶם֙ מֶ֣לֶךְ מִצְרַ֔יִם לָ֚מָּה מֹשֶׁ֣ה וְאַהֲרֹ֔ן תַּפְרִ֥יעוּ אֶת־הָעָ֖ם מִֽמַּעֲשָׂ֑יו לְכ֖וּ לְסִבְלֹתֵיכֶֽם׃
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר אֲלֵהֶם֙ מֶ֣לֶךְ מִצְרַ֔יִם לָ֚מָּה מֹשֶׁ֣ה וְאַהֲרֹ֔ן תַּפְרִ֥יעוּ אֶת־הָעָ֖ם מִֽמַּעֲשָׂ֑יו לְכ֖וּ לְסִבְלֹתֵיכֶֽם׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Pharaoh's Accusation Against Moshe and Aharon

The verse (Shemot 5:4) describes Pharaoh's response to Moshe and Aharon's request to allow Bnei Yisrael to worship Hashem in the wilderness. Pharaoh accuses them of distracting the people from their labor. Rashi explains that the word "תַּפְרִיעוּ" (tafri'u) comes from the root פ.ר.ע., meaning "to interrupt" or "to disturb." Pharaoh viewed their request as an attempt to disrupt the productivity of the enslaved Israelites.

Pharaoh's Worldview and Resistance to Change

Rambam (Moreh Nevuchim 3:32) discusses how Pharaoh represents the archetype of a ruler who refuses to acknowledge divine authority. His statement "לְכוּ לְסִבְלֹתֵיכֶם" (go to your burdens) reflects his insistence on maintaining the status quo of oppression. The Midrash (Shemot Rabbah 5:14) elaborates that Pharaoh saw the Israelites' labor as essential to Egypt's economy and feared that granting them freedom would undermine his kingdom.

The Spiritual Dimension of Pharaoh's Words

The Kli Yakar notes that Pharaoh's accusation carries a deeper spiritual meaning. By saying "תַּפְרִיעוּ אֶת־הָעָם מִמַּעֲשָׂיו" (you distract the people from their works), he implies that idolatrous Egyptian culture was also part of the "works" he wanted to preserve. Moshe and Aharon's call to serve Hashem threatened not only Egypt's physical labor system but also its ideological dominance.

Lessons in Leadership and Persistence

  • Resistance to Truth: The Sforno teaches that Pharaoh's reaction exemplifies how tyrants resist moral and spiritual truths when they conflict with their power.
  • Moshe and Aharon's Resolve: Despite Pharaoh's dismissal, Moshe and Aharon persisted in their mission, demonstrating the importance of steadfastness in fulfilling Hashem's will (Talmud, Sanhedrin 111a).
  • The Burden of Slavery vs. Divine Service: The Netziv (Ha'amek Davar) contrasts Pharaoh's demand to return to physical burdens with the ultimate goal of serving Hashem—a shift from oppressive labor to meaningful avodah.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Pharaoh mean when he says 'Why do you distract the people from their works'?
A: Pharaoh is accusing Moshe and Aharon of interfering with the Israelites' slave labor. According to Rashi, Pharaoh saw their request to worship Hashem as a distraction meant to give the people a break from their harsh work. He refused to acknowledge their spiritual needs, focusing only on their physical labor.
Q: Why does Pharaoh tell Moshe and Aharon 'Get you to your burdens'?
A: Pharaoh dismisses their request outright, insisting they return to their hard labor. The Ramban explains that Pharaoh viewed the Israelites as mere slaves with no rights, and he saw their desire for religious freedom as rebellion. His command reinforces his cruel oppression.
Q: What lesson can we learn from Pharaoh's response in this verse?
A: This verse teaches how tyranny resists freedom and spirituality. The Midrash highlights that Pharaoh represents arrogance and denial of divine authority. His refusal to let the Israelites worship shows how oppressors fear losing control. It also sets the stage for Hashem's intervention to redeem His people.
Q: How does this verse connect to the broader story of the Exodus?
A: This moment marks Pharaoh's first direct confrontation with Moshe and Aharon, beginning the struggle for liberation. The Talmud (Sotah 11a) explains that Pharaoh's harshness was part of Hashem's plan—his refusal would lead to the Ten Plagues, demonstrating Hashem's power and ultimately freeing Bnei Yisrael.