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Exodus 8:15 - Divine power stuns sorcerers

Exodus 8:15 - שמות 8:15

Hebrew Text

וַיֹּאמְרוּ הַחַרְטֻמִּים אֶל־פַּרְעֹה אֶצְבַּע אֱלֹהִים הִוא וַיֶּחֱזַק לֵב־פַּרְעֹה וְלֹא־שָׁמַע אֲלֵהֶם כַּאֲשֶׁר דִּבֶּר יְהוָה׃

English Translation

Then the magicians said to Par῾o, This is the finger of God: and Par῾o’s heart was hardened, and he hearkened not to them; as the Lord had said.

Transliteration

Vayomru hachartumim el-Par'o etzba Elohim hi vayechazak lev-Par'o velo-shama alehem ka'asher diber Adonai.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיֹּאמְר֤וּ הַֽחַרְטֻמִּם֙ אֶל־פַּרְעֹ֔ה אֶצְבַּ֥ע אֱלֹהִ֖ים הִ֑וא וַיֶּחֱזַ֤ק לֵב־פַּרְעֹה֙ וְלֹֽא־שָׁמַ֣ע אֲלֵהֶ֔ם כַּאֲשֶׁ֖ר דִּבֶּ֥ר יְהֹוָֽה׃ <span class="mam-spi-samekh">{ס}</span>        
וַיֹּאמְר֤וּ הַֽחַרְטֻמִּם֙ אֶל־פַּרְעֹ֔ה אֶצְבַּ֥ע אֱלֹהִ֖ים הִ֑וא וַיֶּחֱזַ֤ק לֵב־פַּרְעֹה֙ וְלֹֽא־שָׁמַ֣ע אֲלֵהֶ֔ם כַּאֲשֶׁ֖ר דִּבֶּ֥ר יְהֹוָֽה׃ {ס}        

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Parasha Commentary

The Magicians' Admission: "This is the Finger of God"

In Shemot (Exodus) 8:15, the Egyptian magicians (chartumim) acknowledge that the plague of lice (kinim) is beyond their powers, declaring, "This is the finger of God" (etzba Elokim hi). Rashi explains that the term etzba (finger) here signifies a divine act of precision, as the lice emerged from dust—something the magicians could not replicate through their sorcery. The Midrash (Shemot Rabbah 10:7) elaborates that their admission highlights the limits of human power in contrast to Hashem's sovereignty.

Paroh's Hardened Heart

The verse states that despite the magicians' testimony, "Paroh’s heart was hardened" (vayechazek lev Paroh). Rambam (Hilchot Teshuvah 6:3) discusses the concept of divine hardening of Paroh's heart as a consequence of his persistent wickedness, wherein Hashem removed his ability to repent. The Malbim adds that Paroh’s obstinacy stemmed from his arrogance—even when his own advisors recognized divine intervention, he refused to submit.

Fulfillment of Divine Decree

The concluding phrase, "as the Lord had said" (ka'asher diber Hashem), underscores that Paroh’s defiance aligned with Hashem’s earlier prophecy (e.g., Shemot 7:3-4). The Ibn Ezra notes that this reaffirms the divine plan to demonstrate Hashem’s supremacy through the plagues. The Sforno emphasizes that each plague served as a measured revelation of divine justice, escalating until Paroh’s eventual recognition (see Shemot 9:27).

Key Lessons from the Verse

  • Limits of Sorcery: The magicians’ admission exposes the futility of opposing divine will (Rashi, Shemot Rabbah).
  • Divine Justice: Paroh’s hardened heart illustrates the principle that repeated sin can lead to lost opportunities for repentance (Rambam).
  • Hashgacha Pratit: The verse reaffirms that all events unfold according to Hashem’s plan (Ibn Ezra, Sforno).

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Sotah 11a
The verse is referenced in the context of discussing Pharaoh's stubbornness and the hardening of his heart, illustrating how even the magicians recognized the divine nature of the plagues.
📖 Sanhedrin 67b
The verse is mentioned in a discussion about the nature of magic and the recognition by Pharaoh's magicians that the plagues were acts of God.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does 'the finger of God' mean in Exodus 8:15?
A: The phrase 'the finger of God' (אֶצְבַּע אֱלֹהִים) refers to a divine act or miracle that is clearly beyond human power. Rashi explains that the Egyptian magicians recognized that the plague of lice (which they could not replicate) was a direct act of Hashem, not magic or natural phenomena. This term is used to signify undeniable divine intervention.
Q: Why did Pharaoh's heart harden even after his magicians admitted it was God's doing?
A: Pharaoh's heart hardened because Hashem had already decreed that He would harden Pharaoh's heart to demonstrate His supreme power (as stated earlier in Exodus). The Rambam (Hilchot Teshuvah 6:3) explains that sometimes, when a person repeatedly sins by choice, Hashem may remove their ability to repent as a form of divine justice. Pharaoh's stubbornness served to reveal greater miracles and truths.
Q: What lesson can we learn from the magicians admitting 'this is the finger of God'?
A: The magicians' admission teaches that even those who oppose the truth may eventually recognize divine power when faced with undeniable evidence. However, as the verse shows, recognition alone does not always lead to change—Pharaoh still refused to listen. The Midrash (Shemot Rabbah 10:7) highlights that true wisdom means not just acknowledging Hashem's signs but also humbly adjusting one's actions accordingly.
Q: How does this verse connect to the broader story of the Exodus?
A: This verse is a turning point in the Exodus narrative. Until now, Pharaoh's magicians could mimic some plagues (like turning staffs into snakes), but the plague of lice was beyond their power, proving Hashem's absolute authority. As the Talmud (Sanhedrin 67b) notes, this marked the limit of human deception, setting the stage for the greater miracles that would ultimately lead to the liberation of the Jewish people.