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Exodus 8:25 - Pharaoh's deceit delays freedom?

Exodus 8:25 - שמות 8:25

Hebrew Text

וַיֹּאמֶר מֹשֶׁה הִנֵּה אָנֹכִי יוֹצֵא מֵעִמָּךְ וְהַעְתַּרְתִּי אֶל־יְהוָה וְסָר הֶעָרֹב מִפַּרְעֹה מֵעֲבָדָיו וּמֵעַמּוֹ מָחָר רַק אַל־יֹסֵף פַּרְעֹה הָתֵל לְבִלְתִּי שַׁלַּח אֶת־הָעָם לִזְבֹּחַ לַיהוָה׃

English Translation

And Moshe said, Behold, I go out from thee, and I will entreat the Lord that the swarm of gnats may depart from Par῾o, from his servants, and from his people, tomorrow: but let not Par῾o deal deceitfully any more in not letting the people go to sacrifice to the Lord.

Transliteration

Va'yomer Moshe hineh anochi yotze me'imach veha'tarti el-Adonai vesar he'arov mi'Paro me'avadav ume'amo machar rak al-yosef Paro hatal levilti shalach et-ha'am lizboach la'Adonai.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר מֹשֶׁ֗ה הִנֵּ֨ה אָנֹכִ֜י יוֹצֵ֤א מֵֽעִמָּךְ֙ וְהַעְתַּרְתִּ֣י אֶל־יְהֹוָ֔ה וְסָ֣ר הֶעָרֹ֗ב מִפַּרְעֹ֛ה מֵעֲבָדָ֥יו וּמֵעַמּ֖וֹ מָחָ֑ר רַ֗ק אַל־יֹסֵ֤ף פַּרְעֹה֙ הָתֵ֔ל לְבִלְתִּי֙ שַׁלַּ֣ח אֶת־הָעָ֔ם לִזְבֹּ֖חַ לַֽיהֹוָֽה׃
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר מֹשֶׁ֗ה הִנֵּ֨ה אָנֹכִ֜י יוֹצֵ֤א מֵֽעִמָּךְ֙ וְהַעְתַּרְתִּ֣י אֶל־יְהֹוָ֔ה וְסָ֣ר הֶעָרֹ֗ב מִפַּרְעֹ֛ה מֵעֲבָדָ֥יו וּמֵעַמּ֖וֹ מָחָ֑ר רַ֗ק אַל־יֹסֵ֤ף פַּרְעֹה֙ הָתֵ֔ל לְבִלְתִּי֙ שַׁלַּ֣ח אֶת־הָעָ֔ם לִזְבֹּ֖חַ לַֽיהֹוָֽה׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Context of the Verse

This verse (Shemot 8:25) occurs during the narrative of the plagues in Egypt, specifically following the plague of arov (swarms of wild animals or insects, depending on interpretation). Moshe warns Pharaoh that he will pray to Hashem to remove the plague, but he admonishes Pharaoh not to continue deceiving by refusing to let Bnei Yisrael go to serve Hashem.

Rashi's Commentary

Rashi explains that Moshe's statement, "Behold, I go out from thee", indicates that Moshe would leave Pharaoh's presence to pray elsewhere, as it would be inappropriate to pray in front of an idolater like Pharaoh. This teaches the principle of avoiding prayer in the presence of impurity or idolatry.

Rashi also notes that Moshe's warning, "Let not Pharaoh deal deceitfully", refers to Pharaoh's pattern of retracting his promises once the plagues were removed (as seen earlier with the frogs). Moshe emphasizes that Pharaoh must not repeat this behavior.

Rambam's Perspective

Rambam (Hilchot Teshuvah 6:4) derives from this verse a broader lesson about the nature of repentance. Pharaoh's repeated insincerity—promising to release Bnei Yisrael but then hardening his heart—demonstrates that true repentance requires a complete change in behavior, not just temporary concessions under duress.

Midrashic Insights

  • The Midrash Tanchuma (Va'eira 14) highlights Moshe's restraint in not praying immediately in Pharaoh's presence, showing respect for Hashem's sanctity.
  • Another Midrash (Shemot Rabbah 11:6) suggests that Moshe's phrase "tomorrow" indicates that the removal of the plague would not be instantaneous, giving Pharaoh time to reflect on his actions.

Halachic Implications

The Gemara (Berachot 10b) cites this verse as a source for the principle that one should not pray in a place of filth or idolatry. Moshe's departure from Pharaoh's presence before praying establishes a precedent for seeking a pure environment for tefillah.

Pharaoh's Deceit

Malbim explains that Pharaoh's deceit ("hatel") was not merely lying but a calculated strategy to undermine Moshe's authority. By pretending to relent and then reversing his decision, Pharaoh sought to weaken Bnei Yisrael's trust in Moshe and Hashem. Moshe's warning thus serves as a rebuke against such manipulative behavior.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Moshe mean when he says 'I will entreat the Lord' in Exodus 8:25?
A: Moshe is telling Pharaoh that he will pray to Hashem to remove the plague of gnats (עָרֹב). The word 'הַעְתַּרְתִּי' (entreat) implies intense prayer, as Rashi explains that Moshe was demonstrating the power of sincere prayer to Pharaoh.
Q: Why does Moshe warn Pharaoh not to 'deal deceitfully' in Exodus 8:25?
A: Moshe warns Pharaoh because Pharaoh had previously promised to let the Israelites go but then refused (Exodus 8:11). The Midrash teaches that deceit (הָתֵל) is a grave sin, especially when breaking promises made to Hashem. Moshe wanted Pharaoh to act with integrity this time.
Q: What lesson can we learn from Moshe's interaction with Pharaoh in Exodus 8:25?
A: We learn the importance of truthfulness and keeping one's word. The Rambam (Hilchot De'ot 2:6) teaches that honesty is a foundational Jewish value. Moshe's warning reminds us that deceit leads to further punishment, while repentance brings relief.
Q: Why does Moshe say the plague will end 'tomorrow' and not immediately in Exodus 8:25?
A: Rashi explains that Hashem sometimes delays miracles to increase faith. By setting the removal for 'tomorrow,' Moshe gave Pharaoh time to reflect on Hashem's power. The Talmud (Berachot 9a) teaches that some delays in answered prayers serve a greater divine purpose.
Q: How does Exodus 8:25 show the relationship between prayer and miracles?
A: The verse highlights that even though Hashem brings plagues, Moshe still needed to pray for their removal. The Talmud (Ta'anit 23b) teaches that prayer is essential—miracles may be decreed, but our tefillot (prayers) activate them. This shows human partnership with Hashem in shaping events.