출애굽기 8:24의 인용 해설

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 9:28 (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].

AND MOSES SAID: BEHOLD, I GO OUT FROM THEE, AND I WILL ENTREAT THE ETERNAL THAT THE SWARMS WILL DEPART FROM PHARAOH, FROM HIS SERVANTS, AND FROM HIS PEOPLE, TOMORROW.¹⁹³The question here arises: Why did Moses say that he will pray that the removal of the plague be tomorrow, when Pharaoh had just said to him, Entreat for me (Verse 24)? Ramban proceeds to answer this question. Just as Pharaoh, during the plague of the frogs, had asked that it be removed tomorrow,¹⁹⁴Above, Verse 6. so did Moses want to do it in this case as well; he would pray that the swarms [of beasts] shall depart tomorrow. And then G-d removed the swarms,¹⁹⁵Verse 27. and they vanished completely, unlike the case of the frogs, [where Scripture states that they died].¹⁹⁶Above, Verse 9. This was for the reason, as stated by our Rabbis,¹⁹⁷Shemoth Rabbah 10:6. that the Holy One, blessed be He, desired to afflict them with plagues from which they would derive no benefit.¹⁹⁸If the beasts had died in the land of Egypt, the Egyptians would have made use of their skins. Hence they just disappeared. This of course was not the case with the frogs. Now Moses guarded himself when he spoke to Pharaoh, saying to destroy the frogs,¹⁹⁹Above, Verse 5. which alludes merely to their death, as I have explained there,¹⁹⁹Above, Verse 5. [while here in the case of swarms, he said that the swarms will depart].

Again this time. [Once more,] though he said, “I will send you out,” he did not keep his promise.