וַיֵּ֙לֶךְ֙ לְמַסָּעָ֔יו מִנֶּ֖גֶב וְעַד־בֵּֽית־אֵ֑ל עַד־הַמָּק֗וֹם אֲשֶׁר־הָ֨יָה שָׁ֤ם אהלה [אָֽהֳלוֹ֙] בַּתְּחִלָּ֔ה בֵּ֥ין בֵּֽית־אֵ֖ל וּבֵ֥ין הָעָֽי׃
Il repassa par ses pérégrinations, depuis le midi, jusqu’à Béthel, jusqu’à l’endroit où avait été sa tente la première fois, entre Béthel et Aï,
Bereshit Rabbah
“He benefitted Abram for her sake; he acquired flocks, cattle, donkeys, slaves, maidservants, female donkeys, and camels” (Genesis 12:16).
“Pharaoh commanded men in his regard and they sent away him and his wife, and everything that was his” (Genesis 12:20).
“He benefitted Abram for her sake; he acquired flocks, cattle…Pharaoh commanded men in his regard and they sent away him [and his wife]” – Rabbi Pinḥas said in the name of Rabbi Hoshaya the Great: The Holy One blessed be He said to Abraham our forefather: ‘Go and pave the way before your descendants.’30The events of your life are portents for the events that will occur to your descendants. You find that everything that is written in Abraham’s regard is written regarding his descendants. In Abraham’s regard it is written: “There was famine in the land” (Genesis 12:10); in Israel’s regard it is written: “For these two years the famine is in the midst of the land” (Genesis 45:6). In Abraham’s regard it is written: “Abram descended to Egypt to sojourn there” (Genesis 12:10); in Israel’s regard it is written: “Our ancestors descended to Egypt” (Numbers 20:15). In Abraham’s regard it is written: “To sojourn there”; in Israel’s regard it is written: “We have come to sojourn in the land” (Genesis 47:4). In Abraham’s regard it is written: “As the famine was severe in the land” (Genesis 12:10); in Israel’s regard it is written: “The famine was severe in the land” (Genesis 43:1). In Abraham’s regard it is written: “It was when he drew near” (Genesis 12:11); in Israel’s regard it is written: “Pharaoh drew near” (Exodus 14:10). In Abraham’s regard it is written: “They will kill me, and keep you alive” (Genesis 12:12); in Israel’s regard it is written: “Every son who is born, you shall cast him into the Nile [and every girl you shall keep alive]” (Exodus 1:22). In Abraham’s regard it is written: “Please, say you are my sister; so that it may be well with me [yitav li] because of you…” (Genesis 12:13); in Israel’s regard it is written: “God favored [vayeitev] the midwives” (Exodus 1:20). In Abraham’s regard it is written: “It was upon Abram’s arrival in Egypt” (Genesis 12:14); in Israel’s regard it is written: “These are the names of the children of Israel who arrived in Egypt” (Exodus 1:1). In Abraham’s regard it is written: “And Abram was very wealthy in livestock, [in silver, and in gold]” (Genesis 13:2); in Israel’s regard it is written: “He took them out with silver and with gold” (Psalms 105:37). In Abraham’s regard it is written: “Pharaoh commanded [men] in his regard, [and they sent away him and his wife]” (Genesis 12:20); in Israel’s regard it is written: “The Egyptians urged the people, [to send them away in haste]” (Exodus 12:33). In Abraham’s regard it is written: “He went on his journeys” (Genesis 13:3); in Israel’s regard it is written: “These are the journeys of the children of Israel” (Numbers 33:1).
“Pharaoh commanded men in his regard and they sent away him and his wife, and everything that was his” (Genesis 12:20).
“He benefitted Abram for her sake; he acquired flocks, cattle…Pharaoh commanded men in his regard and they sent away him [and his wife]” – Rabbi Pinḥas said in the name of Rabbi Hoshaya the Great: The Holy One blessed be He said to Abraham our forefather: ‘Go and pave the way before your descendants.’30The events of your life are portents for the events that will occur to your descendants. You find that everything that is written in Abraham’s regard is written regarding his descendants. In Abraham’s regard it is written: “There was famine in the land” (Genesis 12:10); in Israel’s regard it is written: “For these two years the famine is in the midst of the land” (Genesis 45:6). In Abraham’s regard it is written: “Abram descended to Egypt to sojourn there” (Genesis 12:10); in Israel’s regard it is written: “Our ancestors descended to Egypt” (Numbers 20:15). In Abraham’s regard it is written: “To sojourn there”; in Israel’s regard it is written: “We have come to sojourn in the land” (Genesis 47:4). In Abraham’s regard it is written: “As the famine was severe in the land” (Genesis 12:10); in Israel’s regard it is written: “The famine was severe in the land” (Genesis 43:1). In Abraham’s regard it is written: “It was when he drew near” (Genesis 12:11); in Israel’s regard it is written: “Pharaoh drew near” (Exodus 14:10). In Abraham’s regard it is written: “They will kill me, and keep you alive” (Genesis 12:12); in Israel’s regard it is written: “Every son who is born, you shall cast him into the Nile [and every girl you shall keep alive]” (Exodus 1:22). In Abraham’s regard it is written: “Please, say you are my sister; so that it may be well with me [yitav li] because of you…” (Genesis 12:13); in Israel’s regard it is written: “God favored [vayeitev] the midwives” (Exodus 1:20). In Abraham’s regard it is written: “It was upon Abram’s arrival in Egypt” (Genesis 12:14); in Israel’s regard it is written: “These are the names of the children of Israel who arrived in Egypt” (Exodus 1:1). In Abraham’s regard it is written: “And Abram was very wealthy in livestock, [in silver, and in gold]” (Genesis 13:2); in Israel’s regard it is written: “He took them out with silver and with gold” (Psalms 105:37). In Abraham’s regard it is written: “Pharaoh commanded [men] in his regard, [and they sent away him and his wife]” (Genesis 12:20); in Israel’s regard it is written: “The Egyptians urged the people, [to send them away in haste]” (Exodus 12:33). In Abraham’s regard it is written: “He went on his journeys” (Genesis 13:3); in Israel’s regard it is written: “These are the journeys of the children of Israel” (Numbers 33:1).
Bereshit Rabbah
“Abram was very wealthy in livestock, in silver, and in gold” (Genesis 13:2).
“Abram was very wealthy in livestock, in silver, and in gold.” That is what is written: “He took them out with silver and gold…” (Psalms 105:37).22All the details of this incident with Abraham foreshadowed the events of the Exodus, as the Midrash explained earlier (40:6).
“He went on his journeys from the Negev to Beit El, to the place where his tent had been initially, between Beit El and Ai” (Genesis 13:3).
“He went on his journeys” – on the same journeys [routes] that he went [to Egypt], he returned. Rabbi Elazar ben Rabbi Menaḥem said: He went to pay his credit debts.23He had been granted credit at various inns on the way to Egypt, and he now went to repay those debts.
“Lot, who went with Abram, also had flocks, cattle, and tents” (Genesis 13:5).
“Lot, who went with Abram, also…” – Lot derived four benefits due to Abram: “Abram went…and Lot went with him” (Genesis 12:4); “Lot, who went with Abram, also [had flocks, cattle…]”; “He returned all the possessions, and also his brother Lot” (Genesis 14:16); “It was when God destroyed…God remembered Abraham, and He sent out Lot from the midst [of the upheaval]…” (Genesis 19:29). Corresponding to them, his descendants24The nations of Ammon and Moav (Genesis 19:37-38). should have repaid us with favors. But not only did they not repay us with favors, but [they paid us] with [four] troubles. That is what is written: “He25Balak, king of Moav. sent messengers to Bilam son of Beor…now, please come curse this people for me” (Numbers 22:5–6); “He gathered to him the children of Ammon and Amalek, and he went and smote Israel, and they took possession of the city of the date palms” (Judges 3:13); “It was thereafter that the children of Moav, [the children of Ammon], and some Ammonites with them, came against Yehoshafat” (II Chronicles 20:1). Moreover, it is written: “The foe26Referring to Ammon and Moav (Eikha Rabba 1:38). spread its hand over all its delights” (Lamentations 1:10). And their sin is recorded in four places: “An Ammonite or a Moavite shall not enter [into the congregation…] because they did not greet you with bread and with water…[and because they hired…Bilam…to curse you]” (Deuteronomy 23:4–5); and it is written: “My people, remember now what Balak king of Moav counseled, and what [Bilam son of Beor] answered him” (Micah 6:5); “Because they [Ammon and Moav] did not greet the children of Israel with bread and with water, and hired Bilam against them, to curse them” (Nehemiah 13:2); “Balak son of Tzipor, king of Moav…summoned Bilam son of Beor to curse you” (Joshua 24:9).
[Consequently,] four prophets arose and sealed their sentence. They are: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Zephaniah, and Ezekiel. Isaiah said: “A prophecy of Moav: For on the night that Ar of Moav was plundered, it was ruined; for on the night that Kir of Moav was plundered, it was ruined” (Isaiah 15:1). Jeremiah said: “Therefore, behold, days are coming, the utterance of the Lord, and I will sound to Raba of the Ammonites an alarm of war, and it will become a mound of desolation, and its environs will be burned in fire, and Israel will dispossess its dispossessors, said the Lord” (Jeremiah 49:2). Ezekiel said: “To the children of the east, against the children of Ammon, I will give it as a heritage, so that the children of Ammon will not be remembered among the nations. I will administer punishments to Moav, and they will know that I am the Lord” (Ezekiel 25:10–11). Zephaniah said: “Therefore, as I live – the utterance of the Lord of hosts, God of Israel – Moav will be like Sodom, and the children of Ammon like Gomorrah” (Zephaniah 2:9).
“Abram was very wealthy in livestock, in silver, and in gold.” That is what is written: “He took them out with silver and gold…” (Psalms 105:37).22All the details of this incident with Abraham foreshadowed the events of the Exodus, as the Midrash explained earlier (40:6).
“He went on his journeys from the Negev to Beit El, to the place where his tent had been initially, between Beit El and Ai” (Genesis 13:3).
“He went on his journeys” – on the same journeys [routes] that he went [to Egypt], he returned. Rabbi Elazar ben Rabbi Menaḥem said: He went to pay his credit debts.23He had been granted credit at various inns on the way to Egypt, and he now went to repay those debts.
“Lot, who went with Abram, also had flocks, cattle, and tents” (Genesis 13:5).
“Lot, who went with Abram, also…” – Lot derived four benefits due to Abram: “Abram went…and Lot went with him” (Genesis 12:4); “Lot, who went with Abram, also [had flocks, cattle…]”; “He returned all the possessions, and also his brother Lot” (Genesis 14:16); “It was when God destroyed…God remembered Abraham, and He sent out Lot from the midst [of the upheaval]…” (Genesis 19:29). Corresponding to them, his descendants24The nations of Ammon and Moav (Genesis 19:37-38). should have repaid us with favors. But not only did they not repay us with favors, but [they paid us] with [four] troubles. That is what is written: “He25Balak, king of Moav. sent messengers to Bilam son of Beor…now, please come curse this people for me” (Numbers 22:5–6); “He gathered to him the children of Ammon and Amalek, and he went and smote Israel, and they took possession of the city of the date palms” (Judges 3:13); “It was thereafter that the children of Moav, [the children of Ammon], and some Ammonites with them, came against Yehoshafat” (II Chronicles 20:1). Moreover, it is written: “The foe26Referring to Ammon and Moav (Eikha Rabba 1:38). spread its hand over all its delights” (Lamentations 1:10). And their sin is recorded in four places: “An Ammonite or a Moavite shall not enter [into the congregation…] because they did not greet you with bread and with water…[and because they hired…Bilam…to curse you]” (Deuteronomy 23:4–5); and it is written: “My people, remember now what Balak king of Moav counseled, and what [Bilam son of Beor] answered him” (Micah 6:5); “Because they [Ammon and Moav] did not greet the children of Israel with bread and with water, and hired Bilam against them, to curse them” (Nehemiah 13:2); “Balak son of Tzipor, king of Moav…summoned Bilam son of Beor to curse you” (Joshua 24:9).
[Consequently,] four prophets arose and sealed their sentence. They are: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Zephaniah, and Ezekiel. Isaiah said: “A prophecy of Moav: For on the night that Ar of Moav was plundered, it was ruined; for on the night that Kir of Moav was plundered, it was ruined” (Isaiah 15:1). Jeremiah said: “Therefore, behold, days are coming, the utterance of the Lord, and I will sound to Raba of the Ammonites an alarm of war, and it will become a mound of desolation, and its environs will be burned in fire, and Israel will dispossess its dispossessors, said the Lord” (Jeremiah 49:2). Ezekiel said: “To the children of the east, against the children of Ammon, I will give it as a heritage, so that the children of Ammon will not be remembered among the nations. I will administer punishments to Moav, and they will know that I am the Lord” (Ezekiel 25:10–11). Zephaniah said: “Therefore, as I live – the utterance of the Lord of hosts, God of Israel – Moav will be like Sodom, and the children of Ammon like Gomorrah” (Zephaniah 2:9).
Bereshit Rabbah
“Abram was very wealthy in livestock, in silver, and in gold” (Genesis 13:2).
“Abram was very wealthy in livestock, in silver, and in gold.” That is what is written: “He took them out with silver and gold…” (Psalms 105:37).22All the details of this incident with Abraham foreshadowed the events of the Exodus, as the Midrash explained earlier (40:6).
“He went on his journeys from the Negev to Beit El, to the place where his tent had been initially, between Beit El and Ai” (Genesis 13:3).
“He went on his journeys” – on the same journeys [routes] that he went [to Egypt], he returned. Rabbi Elazar ben Rabbi Menaḥem said: He went to pay his credit debts.23He had been granted credit at various inns on the way to Egypt, and he now went to repay those debts.
“Lot, who went with Abram, also had flocks, cattle, and tents” (Genesis 13:5).
“Lot, who went with Abram, also…” – Lot derived four benefits due to Abram: “Abram went…and Lot went with him” (Genesis 12:4); “Lot, who went with Abram, also [had flocks, cattle…]”; “He returned all the possessions, and also his brother Lot” (Genesis 14:16); “It was when God destroyed…God remembered Abraham, and He sent out Lot from the midst [of the upheaval]…” (Genesis 19:29). Corresponding to them, his descendants24The nations of Ammon and Moav (Genesis 19:37-38). should have repaid us with favors. But not only did they not repay us with favors, but [they paid us] with [four] troubles. That is what is written: “He25Balak, king of Moav. sent messengers to Bilam son of Beor…now, please come curse this people for me” (Numbers 22:5–6); “He gathered to him the children of Ammon and Amalek, and he went and smote Israel, and they took possession of the city of the date palms” (Judges 3:13); “It was thereafter that the children of Moav, [the children of Ammon], and some Ammonites with them, came against Yehoshafat” (II Chronicles 20:1). Moreover, it is written: “The foe26Referring to Ammon and Moav (Eikha Rabba 1:38). spread its hand over all its delights” (Lamentations 1:10). And their sin is recorded in four places: “An Ammonite or a Moavite shall not enter [into the congregation…] because they did not greet you with bread and with water…[and because they hired…Bilam…to curse you]” (Deuteronomy 23:4–5); and it is written: “My people, remember now what Balak king of Moav counseled, and what [Bilam son of Beor] answered him” (Micah 6:5); “Because they [Ammon and Moav] did not greet the children of Israel with bread and with water, and hired Bilam against them, to curse them” (Nehemiah 13:2); “Balak son of Tzipor, king of Moav…summoned Bilam son of Beor to curse you” (Joshua 24:9).
[Consequently,] four prophets arose and sealed their sentence. They are: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Zephaniah, and Ezekiel. Isaiah said: “A prophecy of Moav: For on the night that Ar of Moav was plundered, it was ruined; for on the night that Kir of Moav was plundered, it was ruined” (Isaiah 15:1). Jeremiah said: “Therefore, behold, days are coming, the utterance of the Lord, and I will sound to Raba of the Ammonites an alarm of war, and it will become a mound of desolation, and its environs will be burned in fire, and Israel will dispossess its dispossessors, said the Lord” (Jeremiah 49:2). Ezekiel said: “To the children of the east, against the children of Ammon, I will give it as a heritage, so that the children of Ammon will not be remembered among the nations. I will administer punishments to Moav, and they will know that I am the Lord” (Ezekiel 25:10–11). Zephaniah said: “Therefore, as I live – the utterance of the Lord of hosts, God of Israel – Moav will be like Sodom, and the children of Ammon like Gomorrah” (Zephaniah 2:9).
“Abram was very wealthy in livestock, in silver, and in gold.” That is what is written: “He took them out with silver and gold…” (Psalms 105:37).22All the details of this incident with Abraham foreshadowed the events of the Exodus, as the Midrash explained earlier (40:6).
“He went on his journeys from the Negev to Beit El, to the place where his tent had been initially, between Beit El and Ai” (Genesis 13:3).
“He went on his journeys” – on the same journeys [routes] that he went [to Egypt], he returned. Rabbi Elazar ben Rabbi Menaḥem said: He went to pay his credit debts.23He had been granted credit at various inns on the way to Egypt, and he now went to repay those debts.
“Lot, who went with Abram, also had flocks, cattle, and tents” (Genesis 13:5).
“Lot, who went with Abram, also…” – Lot derived four benefits due to Abram: “Abram went…and Lot went with him” (Genesis 12:4); “Lot, who went with Abram, also [had flocks, cattle…]”; “He returned all the possessions, and also his brother Lot” (Genesis 14:16); “It was when God destroyed…God remembered Abraham, and He sent out Lot from the midst [of the upheaval]…” (Genesis 19:29). Corresponding to them, his descendants24The nations of Ammon and Moav (Genesis 19:37-38). should have repaid us with favors. But not only did they not repay us with favors, but [they paid us] with [four] troubles. That is what is written: “He25Balak, king of Moav. sent messengers to Bilam son of Beor…now, please come curse this people for me” (Numbers 22:5–6); “He gathered to him the children of Ammon and Amalek, and he went and smote Israel, and they took possession of the city of the date palms” (Judges 3:13); “It was thereafter that the children of Moav, [the children of Ammon], and some Ammonites with them, came against Yehoshafat” (II Chronicles 20:1). Moreover, it is written: “The foe26Referring to Ammon and Moav (Eikha Rabba 1:38). spread its hand over all its delights” (Lamentations 1:10). And their sin is recorded in four places: “An Ammonite or a Moavite shall not enter [into the congregation…] because they did not greet you with bread and with water…[and because they hired…Bilam…to curse you]” (Deuteronomy 23:4–5); and it is written: “My people, remember now what Balak king of Moav counseled, and what [Bilam son of Beor] answered him” (Micah 6:5); “Because they [Ammon and Moav] did not greet the children of Israel with bread and with water, and hired Bilam against them, to curse them” (Nehemiah 13:2); “Balak son of Tzipor, king of Moav…summoned Bilam son of Beor to curse you” (Joshua 24:9).
[Consequently,] four prophets arose and sealed their sentence. They are: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Zephaniah, and Ezekiel. Isaiah said: “A prophecy of Moav: For on the night that Ar of Moav was plundered, it was ruined; for on the night that Kir of Moav was plundered, it was ruined” (Isaiah 15:1). Jeremiah said: “Therefore, behold, days are coming, the utterance of the Lord, and I will sound to Raba of the Ammonites an alarm of war, and it will become a mound of desolation, and its environs will be burned in fire, and Israel will dispossess its dispossessors, said the Lord” (Jeremiah 49:2). Ezekiel said: “To the children of the east, against the children of Ammon, I will give it as a heritage, so that the children of Ammon will not be remembered among the nations. I will administer punishments to Moav, and they will know that I am the Lord” (Ezekiel 25:10–11). Zephaniah said: “Therefore, as I live – the utterance of the Lord of hosts, God of Israel – Moav will be like Sodom, and the children of Ammon like Gomorrah” (Zephaniah 2:9).