הַעְתִּ֙ירוּ֙ אֶל־יְהוָ֔ה וְרַ֕ב מִֽהְיֹ֛ת קֹלֹ֥ת אֱלֹהִ֖ים וּבָרָ֑ד וַאֲשַׁלְּחָ֣ה אֶתְכֶ֔ם וְלֹ֥א תֹסִפ֖וּן לַעֲמֹֽד׃
Implorez l’Éternel pour qu’il mette un terme à ces tonnerres célestes et à cette grêle; alors je vous laisserai partir et vous n’éprouverez plus de retards."
Depths of Yonah
Approach Number One - The Paroh Syndrome
My Torah Academy of Bergen County students argue that Nineveh followed the repeated poor behavior of Paroh during the ten Makkot (Ten Plagues). During the suffering of the Makkot Paroh begged Moshe Rabbeinu to pray to Hashem on his behalf. However, as soon as each Makkah ended, Paroh reverted to his previous poor behavior (see, for example, Shemot 9:28 and 34).
My Torah Academy of Bergen County students argue that Nineveh followed the repeated poor behavior of Paroh during the ten Makkot (Ten Plagues). During the suffering of the Makkot Paroh begged Moshe Rabbeinu to pray to Hashem on his behalf. However, as soon as each Makkah ended, Paroh reverted to his previous poor behavior (see, for example, Shemot 9:28 and 34).
Midrash BeChiddush
Barad, ברד Hail is the seventh plague.
1. אַפּ֗וֹ “His anger” - Thunder and lightning caused their heart to be overwhelmed and the Egyptians to become distressed. That is why Pharaoh said to Moses, “Plead with HaShem that there may be an end of God’s thunder and of hail and I will let you go...” (Ex. 9:28) Because of Pharaoh’s great fear his heart became overwhelmed.
1. אַפּ֗וֹ “His anger” - Thunder and lightning caused their heart to be overwhelmed and the Egyptians to become distressed. That is why Pharaoh said to Moses, “Plead with HaShem that there may be an end of God’s thunder and of hail and I will let you go...” (Ex. 9:28) Because of Pharaoh’s great fear his heart became overwhelmed.
Rashbam
רואים, the author translates this as literally “seeing” with one’s eyes.