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Exodus 8:4 - Frogs force Pharaoh's plea?

Exodus 8:4 - שמות 8:4

Hebrew Text

וַיִּקְרָא פַרְעֹה לְמֹשֶׁה וּלְאַהֲרֹן וַיֹּאמֶר הַעְתִּירוּ אֶל־יְהוָה וְיָסֵר הַצְפַרְדְּעִים מִמֶּנִּי וּמֵעַמִּי וַאֲשַׁלְּחָה אֶת־הָעָם וְיִזְבְּחוּ לַיהוָה׃

English Translation

Then Par῾o called to Moshe and Aharon, and said, Entreat the Lord, that he may take away the frogs from me, and from my people; and I will let the people go, that they may do sacrifice to the Lord.

Transliteration

Vayikra Par'o le-Moshe ule-Aharon vayomer ha'atiru el-Adonai veyaser ha-tzfarde'im mimeni ume-ami va'ashalchah et-ha'am ve-yizbechu la-Adonai.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיִּקְרָ֨א פַרְעֹ֜ה לְמֹשֶׁ֣ה וּֽלְאַהֲרֹ֗ן וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ הַעְתִּ֣ירוּ אֶל־יְהֹוָ֔ה וְיָסֵר֙ הַֽצְפַרְדְּעִ֔ים מִמֶּ֖נִּי וּמֵֽעַמִּ֑י וַאֲשַׁלְּחָה֙ אֶת־הָעָ֔ם וְיִזְבְּח֖וּ לַיהֹוָֽה׃
וַיִּקְרָ֨א פַרְעֹ֜ה לְמֹשֶׁ֣ה וּֽלְאַהֲרֹ֗ן וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ הַעְתִּ֣ירוּ אֶל־יְהֹוָ֔ה וְיָסֵר֙ הַֽצְפַרְדְּעִ֔ים מִמֶּ֖נִּי וּמֵֽעַמִּ֑י וַאֲשַׁלְּחָה֙ אֶת־הָעָ֔ם וְיִזְבְּח֖וּ לַיהֹוָֽה׃

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Parasha Commentary

Pharaoh's Request and Its Implications

The verse describes Pharaoh summoning Moshe and Aharon to request their intercession with Hashem to remove the plague of frogs. Rashi (Shemos 8:4) notes that Pharaoh specifically asked for the frogs to be removed "from me and from my people", indicating his personal distress, yet he did not ask for their complete eradication. This suggests Pharaoh was willing to tolerate the frogs' continued presence in Egypt as long as they no longer afflicted him and his inner circle directly.

The Conditional Promise of Freedom

Pharaoh's statement "I will let the people go, that they may do sacrifice to the Lord" appears to be a concession, but the Midrash (Shemos Rabbah 10:3) highlights its insincerity. The promise was conditional and temporary—only for the purpose of offering sacrifices, not for permanent emancipation. Rambam (Hilchos Teshuva 2:1) would later emphasize that true repentance requires abandoning sinful behavior, which Pharaoh failed to do, as evidenced by his subsequent refusal to let Bnei Yisrael leave.

The Nature of Pharaoh's Appeal

  • Selective Relief: The Malbim observes that Pharaoh only sought relief from the frogs, not the other plagues, indicating his shortsightedness and lack of full recognition of Hashem's power.
  • Use of "העתירו": The term "העתירו" (entreat) implies intense prayer, as noted by Ibn Ezra, suggesting Pharaoh recognized the effectiveness of Moshe and Aharon's connection to Hashem, yet he still resisted complete submission.
  • Pharaoh's Stubbornness: The Kli Yakar points out that Pharaoh's wording "ואשׁלחה" ("I will let go") rather than granting full freedom reflects his unwillingness to fully relinquish control over Bnei Yisrael.

Lessons in Divine Justice

The Talmud (Sanhedrin 67b) teaches that Hashem punishes measure for measure. Pharaoh had ordered the drowning of Jewish infants, and the frogs, which emerged from the Nile (the same river used for infanticide), invaded even his most private spaces. This demonstrates the precision of Divine retribution, as emphasized by the Sforno, who notes that the frogs' intrusion into Pharaoh's bedchamber symbolized the inescapable nature of accountability.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Pesachim 117a
The verse is referenced in the context of discussing the power of prayer and how Pharaoh acknowledged the need to entreat the Lord through Moses and Aaron.
📖 Exodus Rabbah 10:4
The midrashic commentary discusses Pharaoh's request to Moses and Aaron to pray for the removal of the frogs, highlighting the theme of divine intervention and human agency.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did Pharaoh ask Moshe and Aharon to pray for the frogs to be removed?
A: Pharaoh was suffering greatly from the plague of frogs (as described in Exodus 8:2-3) and realized that only Hashem could remove them. Rashi explains that Pharaoh acknowledged Moshe's connection to Hashem and that prayer could help, showing that even a stubborn ruler like Pharaoh recognized Hashem's power during the plagues.
Q: What does this verse teach us about Pharaoh's promises?
A: This verse shows that Pharaoh made a conditional promise—if the frogs were removed, he would let Bnei Yisrael go. However, as we see later (Exodus 8:11), he hardened his heart and did not keep his word. The Midrash teaches that this pattern repeats throughout the plagues, showing Pharaoh's deceitful nature and the need for complete divine intervention to free the Jewish people.
Q: Why did Hashem send the plague of frogs specifically?
A: The Midrash (Shemot Rabbah 10:4) explains that the frogs symbolized the noisy and chaotic oppression the Egyptians inflicted on Bnei Yisrael. Just as frogs croaked loudly and invaded every space, so too did Egyptian persecution disrupt Jewish lives. This plague was measure-for-measure justice.
Q: What lesson can we learn from Pharaoh's temporary change of heart?
A: The Rambam (Hilchot Teshuvah 2:4) teaches that true repentance requires a lasting commitment to change. Pharaoh only sought relief from suffering but did not genuinely repent. This teaches us that real teshuvah (repentance) means changing our actions permanently, not just when things are difficult.
Q: How does this verse connect to the concept of prayer in Judaism?
A: The Talmud (Berachot 10a) derives from this verse that even a wicked person like Pharaoh can—and should—pray to Hashem in times of distress. Additionally, Rashi notes that Moshe and Aharon acted as intermediaries, teaching that righteous leaders can help bring about divine mercy through their prayers.