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Exodus 8:27 - Divine power fulfills Moshe's plea

Exodus 8:27 - שמות 8:27

Hebrew Text

וַיַּעַשׂ יְהוָה כִּדְבַר מֹשֶׁה וַיָּסַר הֶעָרֹב מִפַּרְעֹה מֵעֲבָדָיו וּמֵעַמּוֹ לֹא נִשְׁאַר אֶחָד׃

English Translation

And the Lord did according to the word of Moshe; and he removed the swarm of gnats from Par῾o, from his servants, and from his people; there remained not one.

Transliteration

Va'yaas Adonai kidvar Moshe, va'yasar ha'arov mi'Paroh, me'avadav u'me'amo, lo nish'ar echad.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיַּ֤עַשׂ יְהֹוָה֙ כִּדְבַ֣ר מֹשֶׁ֔ה וַיָּ֙סַר֙ הֶעָרֹ֔ב מִפַּרְעֹ֖ה מֵעֲבָדָ֣יו וּמֵעַמּ֑וֹ לֹ֥א נִשְׁאַ֖ר אֶחָֽד׃
וַיַּ֤עַשׂ יְהֹוָה֙ כִּדְבַ֣ר מֹשֶׁ֔ה וַיָּ֙סַר֙ הֶעָרֹ֔ב מִפַּרְעֹ֖ה מֵעֲבָדָ֣יו וּמֵעַמּ֑וֹ לֹ֥א נִשְׁאַ֖ר אֶחָֽד׃

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Parasha Commentary

Rashi's Explanation of the Removal of the עָרֹב (Arov)

Rashi (Shemot 8:27) explains that the term עָרֹב refers to a mixture of wild animals, as derived from the root meaning "mixture." This aligns with the earlier description in Shemot 8:17, where the plague is described as a swarm of diverse creatures. The removal of the עָרֹב was complete—לֹא נִשְׁאַר אֶחָד ("not one remained")—demonstrating Hashem's precise control over the plagues, as they came and went exactly as Moshe declared.

Divine Precision in Fulfilling Moshe's Word

The phrase וַיַּעַשׂ יְהוָה כִּדְבַר מֹשֶׁה ("And the Lord did according to the word of Moshe") highlights Moshe's unique prophetic authority. The Rambam (Hilchos Yesodei HaTorah 7:6) teaches that Moshe's prophecy was unparalleled in its clarity and directness. Here, Hashem affirms Moshe's role by executing his request exactly as spoken, reinforcing his status as the definitive leader of Bnei Yisrael.

The Midrashic Perspective on Pharaoh's Stubbornness

The Midrash Tanchuma (Va'eira 14) notes that despite the severity of the plagues, Pharaoh's heart remained hardened. The complete removal of the עָרֹב could have been an opportunity for repentance, yet Pharaoh persisted in his refusal to release Bnei Yisrael. This illustrates the principle that Hashem sometimes allows the wicked to persist in their ways to bring about a greater revelation of His justice (see Rambam, Hilchos Teshuvah 6:3).

The Symbolism of the עָרֹב's Departure

The Ibn Ezra (Shemot 8:27) suggests that the total eradication of the עָרֹב—לֹא נִשְׁאַר אֶחָד—symbolizes the removal of impurity from Mitzrayim. Unlike previous plagues, where remnants may have lingered, this plague's abrupt disappearance underscores that Hashem’s miracles are not bound by natural processes. The Malbim adds that this demonstrated to Pharaoh that the plagues were not natural phenomena but direct acts of divine intervention.

  • Complete Removal: Emphasizes Hashem's absolute authority over creation.
  • Moshe’s Leadership: Affirms his role as Hashem’s chosen prophet.
  • Pharaoh’s Hardened Heart: Serves as a lesson in the consequences of resisting divine will.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does the verse 'And the Lord did according to the word of Moshe' mean?
A: This verse shows that Hashem listened to Moshe's prayer and removed the plague of wild animals (עָרֹב) from Egypt. According to Rashi, this demonstrates Moshe's greatness—that Hashem answered his request immediately, showing his close relationship with G-d.
Q: Why is it important that 'not one' of the wild animals remained?
A: The Torah emphasizes that 'not one remained' to show the complete removal of the plague, proving it was a divine miracle and not a natural occurrence. The Midrash teaches that this was a clear sign to Pharaoh and Egypt of Hashem's absolute control over nature.
Q: What can we learn from Moshe's role in this verse?
A: We learn the power of a tzaddik's (righteous person's) prayer. Moshe acted as an intermediary between Hashem and Pharaoh, showing that when a leader prays with sincerity, Hashem answers. The Rambam teaches that this highlights the importance of turning to righteous leaders in times of need.
Q: How does this verse apply to us today?
A: Just as Hashem listened to Moshe's prayer, we learn that sincere prayer can bring divine intervention in our lives. The Talmud (Berachot 10a) teaches that if a person prays with full devotion, Hashem answers—just as He did for Moshe.
Q: Why did Hashem remove the plague when Pharaoh still didn't let the Israelites go?
A: The removal of the plague was part of Hashem's plan to give Pharaoh more chances to repent. The Midrash explains that Hashem is patient, giving people opportunities to change their ways before bringing harsher consequences (similar to the concept of 'measure for measure').