Commento su Esodo 10:17

NOW THEREFORE FORGIVE, I PRAY THEE, MY SIN. This is an expression of respect to Moses [on the part of Pharaoh] since Moses was in G-d’s stead to Pharaoh,⁵⁰Above, 7:1. and very great in the land of Egypt.⁵¹Further, 11:3. [Hence Pharaoh addressed this appeal to Moses alone, as the singular verb sa (forgive) indicates, for the king knew of the extraordinary position of Moses, as explained.] And entreat ye the Eternal your G-d. He addressed this appeal to both Moses and Aaron. He respectfully spoke thus every time [that he asked for prayer on his behalf]⁵²Above, 8:4 (in the case of frogs), 8:24 (swarms of beasts), and 9:38 (hail). In each case, Pharaoh said ha’tiru (pray ye) in the plural. although Pharaoh knew that Moses alone was the one who prayed, for so he told him: Against what time shall I entreat for thee;⁵³Above, 8:5. And I will entreat the Eternal;⁵⁴Ibid., Verse 25. I will spread forth my hands to the Eternal.⁵⁵Ibid., 9:29. Moses did not say it in the plural, [i.e., “we shall entreat”], so that he should not utter a falsehood, [but Pharaoh nevertheless addressed himself to both as an expression of respect].

שא נא חטאתי, “please forgive my sin.” Pharaoh employed the singular mode when addressing Moses seeing he was the senior leader and was an elokim, Divine representative vis a vis Pharaoh. When appealing for their prayer on his behalf to G’d, he employed the plural mode, i.e. העתירו, not העתר. He did so as a form of courtesy, knowing full well that it was Moses who would pray for the cessation of the plague. We know this already from Moses’ offerלמתי אעתיר, “for when shall I pray,” during the plague of the frogs. He is also on record as having said: והעתרתי אל ה' “I shall entreat the Lord.”

ועתה שא נא חטאתי אך הפעם והעתירו לה' אלו-היכם, “and now, please forgive my sin only this once and entreat the Lord your G’d.” Nachmanides points out that Pharaoh should have said: “pray to the Lord that He should forgive my sin.” After all, it was not up to Moses to forgive sins. The reason he worded his plea as he did was that G’d had appointed Moses to be a deity as far as Pharaoh was concerned (compare 7,1). The reason Pharaoh used the plural, i.e. העתירו, was in honour of Aaron. Pharaoh knew quite well that only Moses would do the praying. Moses had told him already twice “I will entreat the Lord” (8,25 and 8,5).