## Sforno on Exodus Chapter 4

###### Sforno on Exodus 4:1:1
[Sforno on Exodus 4:1:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Sforno%20on%20Exodus/r/4:1:1)

**וְהֵן לֹא יַאֲמִינוּ לִי וְלֹא יִשְׁמְעוּ בְּקוֹלִי.** אַחַר שֶׁיִּרְאוּ שֶׁלֹּא יִתֵּן אוֹתָם מֶלֶךְ מִצְרַיִם לַהֲלוֹךְ. **כִּי יֹאמְרוּ לֹא נִרְאָה אֵלֶיךָ ה'**, כִּי הוּא אָמַר וַיֶּהִי.

**Yalkut, Sifsei Chachomim Chumash, Metsudah Publications, 2009:**
והן לא יאמינו לי ולא ישמעו בקולי, once the people will see that Pharaoh will refuse to let them go, they will lose faith in me and will not listen to my promises. 'כי יאמרו לא נראה אליך ה, for they know that when G’d says something it will be so. They will not be able to account for my failure except by claiming that I am an impostor.


###### Sforno on Exodus 4:2:1
[Sforno on Exodus 4:2:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Sforno%20on%20Exodus/r/4:2:1)

**מַה זֶּה בְּיָדֶךָ.** הִנֵּה הַמַּטֶּה הוּא דָּבָר שֶׁאֵין בּוֹ רוּחַ חַיִּים, וְהַיָּד הִיא דָּבָר שֶׁיֵּשׁ בּוֹ רוּחַ חַיִּים, וַאֲנִי אָמִית וַאֲחַיֶּה, כִּי אָמִית הַיָּד בַּצָּרַעַת, וְאֶתֵּן רוּחַ חַיִּים בַּמַּטֶּה הַמֵּת:

**Yalkut, Sifsei Chachomim Chumash, Metsudah Publications, 2009:**
מה זה בידך?, here is a staff which is an inert object, and the hand which is something very much alive. I will demonstrate that I can kill that which is alive and bring to life that which is dead. I will make your hand useless and your staff will suddenly come alive.


###### Sforno on Exodus 4:3:1
[Sforno on Exodus 4:3:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Sforno%20on%20Exodus/r/4:3:1)

**וַיָּנָס מֹשֶׁה מִפָּנָיו.** כִּי אָמְנָם הָיָה אָז נָחָש גָּמוּר וְרוֹדֵף. אֲבָל תַּנִּינֵי הַחַרְטֻמִּים בְּלַהֲטֵיהֶם לֹא הָיְתָה בָּהֶם תְּנוּעָה, עִם הֱיוֹתָם עַל תְּמוּנַת תַּנִּינִים. כִּי אָמְנָם הַכְּשָׁפִים לֹא יַמְצִיאוּ נִמְצָא טִבְעִי בֶּאֱמֶת, כְּאָמְרָם זִכְרוֹנָם לִבְרָכָה (סנהדרין סז:) הָאֱלֹהִים אֲפִילוּ כְּגַמְלָא לָא מָצוּ בָּרוֹ. וּלְפִיכָךְ אָמַר "וְהַמַּטֶּה אֲשֶׁר נֶהְפַּךְ לְנָחָשׁ" (שמות ז:טו), וְלֹא אָמַר לְתַנִּין.

**Yalkut, Sifsei Chachomim Chumash, Metsudah Publications, 2009:**
וינס משה מפניו, for the staff had become a real snake and had assumed a threatening posture. This was totally different from the “snakes” produced by Pharaoh’s magicians that were unable to move. They only looked like the real thing, but were totally harmless. None of these sorcerers can produce something that is really alive, i.e. becomes part of nature. Our sages in Sanhedrin 67 commented on this phenomenon by saying: “not only can the sorcerers not produce small creatures, they cannot even produce big creatures such as a camel” This is why in the case of Moses, the Torah speaks of “the staff which had turned into a נחש, serpent,” whereas when the sorcerers’ work is described the Torah speaks of תנין. [at that point Aaron’s staff also turned into a תנין, not נחש, as G’d was not yet ready to demonstrate the superior magic Moses was capable of. Only when Aaron’s staff swallowed the “taninim” of the sorcerers was that point brought home to Pharaoh.]


###### Sforno on Exodus 4:8:1
[Sforno on Exodus 4:8:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Sforno%20on%20Exodus/r/4:8:1)

**וְהֶאֱמִינוּ לְקוֹל הָאוֹת הָאַחֲרוֹן.** כִּי יוֹתֵר רָחוֹק אֵצֶל הַטֶּבַע לְרַפֹּאת אֶת הַצָּרַעַת הָעַזָּה כַּשֶּׁלֶג, אֲשֶׁר הִיא כְּמוֹ מָוֶת לְאוֹתוֹ אֵבֶר אֲשֶׁר הִיא בּוֹ בְּלִי סָפֵק.

**Yalkut, Sifsei Chachomim Chumash, Metsudah Publications, 2009:**
והאמינו לקול האות האחרון, from a medical science point of view the ability to heal tzoraat was a far greater miracle as it meant bringing back to life a limb which had already died ולקחת ממימי היאור, seeing that water is a basic liquid, one of the four basic raw materials earth is constructed of, converting this into blood without adding any additional ingredient to it was a most remarkable miracle.


###### Sforno on Exodus 4:9:1
[Sforno on Exodus 4:9:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Sforno%20on%20Exodus/r/4:9:1)

**וְלָקַחְתָּ מִמֵּימֵי הַיְאֹר.** כִּי הֱיוֹת הַפָּשׁוּט נֶהְפָּךְ כֻּלּוֹ לְמוּרְכָּב בִּלְתִּי אֶמְצָעִי, לֹא יִצֻּיַּר כְּלָל.


###### Sforno on Exodus 4:10:1
[Sforno on Exodus 4:10:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Sforno%20on%20Exodus/r/4:10:1)

**לֹא אִישׁ דְּבָרִים אָנֹכִי.** בִּלְתִּי מֻרְגָּל בִּמְלֶאכֶת לָשׁוֹן לְמוּדִים וְסִדְרָהּ לְדַבֵּר לִפְנֵי הַמֶּלֶךְ.

**Yalkut, Sifsei Chachomim Chumash, Metsudah Publications, 2009:**
לא איש דברים אנכי; I am not experienced in knowing how to address people in authority, such as kings.


###### Sforno on Exodus 4:10:2
[Sforno on Exodus 4:10:2](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Sforno%20on%20Exodus/r/4:10:2)

**גַּם מִתְּמוֹל.** בִּהְיוֹתִי גָר בְּאֶרֶץ נָכְרִיָּה:

**Yalkut, Sifsei Chachomim Chumash, Metsudah Publications, 2009:**
גם מתמול, גם משלשום, neither when I was a stranger in a foreign land, nor when I grew up in Pharaoh’s palace, nor since You have spoken to me and I have responded.


###### Sforno on Exodus 4:10:3
[Sforno on Exodus 4:10:3](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Sforno%20on%20Exodus/r/4:10:3)

**גַּם מִשִּׁלְשֹׁם.** בִּהְיוֹתִי בְּבֵית פַּרְעֹה.


###### Sforno on Exodus 4:10:4
[Sforno on Exodus 4:10:4](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Sforno%20on%20Exodus/r/4:10:4)

**גַּם מֵאָז דַּבֶּרְךָ אֶל עַבְדֶּךָ.** אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁהָיְתָה נַפְשִׁי הַדִּבְרִית אָז בְּאוֹר פְּנֵי הַמֶּלֶךְ, לֹא קָנְתָה לְשׁוֹן לִמּוּדִים.


###### Sforno on Exodus 4:10:5
[Sforno on Exodus 4:10:5](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Sforno%20on%20Exodus/r/4:10:5)

**כִּי כְבַד פֶּה וּכְבַד לָשׁוֹן אָנֹכִי.** וְזֶה קָרָה לִי, כִּי בִּהְיוֹת כְּלֵי הַדִּבּוּר שֶׁלִּי בִּלְתִּי מוּכָנִים, לְפִיכָךְ לֹא פָּנָה לִבִּי לָדַעַת לָעוּת אֶת יָעֵף דָּבָר (ישעיהו נ:ד).

**Yalkut, Sifsei Chachomim Chumash, Metsudah Publications, 2009:**
כי כבד פה וכבד לשון אנכי, the reason why I do not possess this facility is because the physical tools with which to express my thoughts are defective. I have therefore never even made the effort to develop this facility (compare Isaiah 50,4) לדעת לעות את יעף דבר, “to know how to speak timely words to the weary.”


###### Sforno on Exodus 4:11:1
[Sforno on Exodus 4:11:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Sforno%20on%20Exodus/r/4:11:1)

**מִי שָׂם פֶּה לָאָדָם.** מִי נָתַן הַהֲכָנוֹת הַטִּבְעִיּוֹת בְּכֹחַ טֶבַע הָאָדָם:

**Yalkut, Sifsei Chachomim Chumash, Metsudah Publications, 2009:**
מי שם פה לאדם?, Who provided the natural infrastructure for nature to be able to provide the body’s equipment?


###### Sforno on Exodus 4:12:1
[Sforno on Exodus 4:12:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Sforno%20on%20Exodus/r/4:12:1)

**וְאָנֹכִי אֶהְיֶה עִם פִּיךָ.** לְהָכִין כְּלִי הַדִּבּוּר.

**Yalkut, Sifsei Chachomim Chumash, Metsudah Publications, 2009:**
ואנכי אהיה עם פיך. To enable you to make full use of man’s tools to deliver words by mouth.


###### Sforno on Exodus 4:12:2
[Sforno on Exodus 4:12:2](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Sforno%20on%20Exodus/r/4:12:2)

**וְהוֹרֵיתִיךָ.** לְשׁוֹן לִמּוּדִים.

**Yalkut, Sifsei Chachomim Chumash, Metsudah Publications, 2009:**
והוריתיך, I will also teach you how to effectively address people of Pharaoh’s standing.


###### Sforno on Exodus 4:13:1
[Sforno on Exodus 4:13:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Sforno%20on%20Exodus/r/4:13:1)

**שְׁלַח נָא בְּיַד תִּשְׁלָח.** בְּיַד מִי שֶׁיִּהְיֶה שָׁלִיחַ מוּכָן לַעֲשׂוֹת שְׁלִיחוּתְךָ, וְלֹא אִישׁ כָּמוֹנִי שֶׁיִּצְטָרֵךְ שֶׁתִּהְיֶה עִם פִּי וְתוֹרֵנִי בְּאֹפֶן שֶׁאַתָּה תִּהְיֶה הַמְדַבֵּר.

**Yalkut, Sifsei Chachomim Chumash, Metsudah Publications, 2009:**
שלח נא ביד תשלח. Use someone who is already naturally gifted for such an assignment, instead of someone like me whom You first have to train for the task, so that in effect You would do the talking.


###### Sforno on Exodus 4:14:1
[Sforno on Exodus 4:14:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Sforno%20on%20Exodus/r/4:14:1)

**הֲלֹא אַהֲרֹן אָחִיךָ הַלֵּוִי.** אִם הָיְתָה הַכַּוָּנָה לִשְׁלֹחַ אִישׁ מוּכָן לְדַבֵּר, הֲלֹא אַהֲרֹן אָחִיךָ שֶׁהוּא לֵוִי, בַּעַל חָכְמָה בְּלִי סָפֵק כְּכָל אֶחָיו הַלְוִיִּם:

**Yalkut, Sifsei Chachomim Chumash, Metsudah Publications, 2009:**
הלא אהרן אחיך? If it had been My intention to appoint someone naturally suited for the task, there is your brother Aaron, the Levite, undoubtedly a wise man as are all his brothers the Levites.


###### Sforno on Exodus 4:14:2
[Sforno on Exodus 4:14:2](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Sforno%20on%20Exodus/r/4:14:2)

**יָדַעְתִּי כִּי דַבֵּר יְדַבֵּר הוּא.** שֵׁמֵעַצְמוֹ הוּא בַּעַל לָשׁוֹן לְמוּדִים:

**Yalkut, Sifsei Chachomim Chumash, Metsudah Publications, 2009:**
כי ידעתיו כי דבר ידבר הוא, for I am well aware that he is an excellent speaker without needing training, וגם הנה הוא יוצא לקראתך וראך ושמח בלבו, and although he is on the way to meet you out of respect for you and your elevation to an even higher status than his own, he will undoubtedly be happy to serve as your interpreter full-heartedly.


###### Sforno on Exodus 4:14:3
[Sforno on Exodus 4:14:3](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Sforno%20on%20Exodus/r/4:14:3)

**וְגַם הִנֵּה הוּא יוֹצֵא לִקְרָאתֶךָ וְרָאֲךָ וְשָׂמַח בְּלִבּוֹ.** וְאַף עַל פִּי שֶׁהוּא יוֹצֵא לִקְרָאתְךָ לְכַבֶּדְךָ מִפְּנֵי מַעֲלָתְךָ עָלָיו, יִשְׂמַח בְּלִי סָפֵק וְיִהְיֶה לְךָ לְמֵלִיץ בְּלֵב שָׁלֵם.


###### Sforno on Exodus 4:15:1
[Sforno on Exodus 4:15:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Sforno%20on%20Exodus/r/4:15:1)

**וְשַׂמְתָּ אֶת הַדְּבָרִים בְּפִיו וְכוּ'.** אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁתָּשִׂים אֶת הַדְּבָרִים בְּפִיו, לֹא יַסְפִּיק זֶה, אֲבָל יִצְטָרֵךְ שֶׁ**אֶהְיֶה אָנֹכִי עִם** פִּיכֶם, בְּאֹפֶן שֶׁיִּכָּנְסוּ דִּבְרֵיכֶם בְּלֵב פַּרְעֹה, וְלֹא יִתְקוֹמֵם עֲלֵיכֶם וְלֹא יְגָרֵשׁ אֶתְכֶם מֵעִם פָּנָיו.

**Yalkut, Sifsei Chachomim Chumash, Metsudah Publications, 2009:**
ושמת את הדברים בפיו ואנכי אהיה עם פיך ועם פיהו, even though I could put all these words in his mouth this is not sufficient; it is necessary that I personally, assist both you and him to make sure that Pharaoh will absorb the words with his heart. Otherwise, he might deal with you from a position of autocratic arrogance and simply expel you from his presence.


###### Sforno on Exodus 4:16:1
[Sforno on Exodus 4:16:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Sforno%20on%20Exodus/r/4:16:1)

**לֵאלֹהִים.** שֶׁיַּעֲשֶׂה נִפְלָאוֹת בְּמִצְוֹתֶיךָ.

**Yalkut, Sifsei Chachomim Chumash, Metsudah Publications, 2009:**
לאלוהים, so that he will perform miracles at your behest.


###### Sforno on Exodus 4:17:1
[Sforno on Exodus 4:17:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Sforno%20on%20Exodus/r/4:17:1)

**וְאֶת הַמַּטֶּה הַזֶּה.** וְאַף עַל פִּי שֶׁאֵינוֹ מִמִּין עֵץ חָשׁוּב, הִנֵּה קִדַּשְׁתִּיו לִהְיוֹת לְךָ לְאוֹת.

**Yalkut, Sifsei Chachomim Chumash, Metsudah Publications, 2009:**
ואת המטה הזה, even though this staff is not made from a particularly valuable type of wood I have sanctified it to serve as a sign for you. תקח בידך, as a symbol of authority to demonstrate that I have appointed you to change the rules of nature at your command.


###### Sforno on Exodus 4:17:2
[Sforno on Exodus 4:17:2](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Sforno%20on%20Exodus/r/4:17:2)

**תִּקַּח בְּיָדֶךָ.** לְשֵׁבֶט מוֹשֵׁל, שֶׁמִּנִּיתִיךָ לְשַׁנּוֹת אֶת הַטֶּבַע בְּמִצְוָתְךָ.

**Yalkut, Sifsei Chachomim Chumash, Metsudah Publications, 2009:**
אשר תעשה בו את האותות, which you will command nature at My command, seeing that you have been appointed by Me for this task.


###### Sforno on Exodus 4:17:3
[Sforno on Exodus 4:17:3](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Sforno%20on%20Exodus/r/4:17:3)

**אֲשֶׁר תַּעֲשֶׂה בּוֹ אֶת הָאוֹתוֹת.** שֶׁתְּצַוֶּה לַטֶּבַע בְּמִצְוֹתַי, מִצַּד מַה שֶׁמִּנִּיתִיךָ לָזֶה.


###### Sforno on Exodus 4:18:1
[Sforno on Exodus 4:18:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Sforno%20on%20Exodus/r/4:18:1)

**אֵלְכָה נָּא וְאָשׁוּבָה.** בֵּין כָּךְ יִהְיוּ אִשְׁתִּי וּבָנַי אֶצְלְךָ.

**Yalkut, Sifsei Chachomim Chumash, Metsudah Publications, 2009:**
אלכה נא ואשובה, in the interval I will leave my wife and children in your care.


###### Sforno on Exodus 4:18:2
[Sforno on Exodus 4:18:2](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Sforno%20on%20Exodus/r/4:18:2)

**לֵךְ לְשָׁלוֹם.** כִּי כֵן אֶעֱשֶׂה.

**Yalkut, Sifsei Chachomim Chumash, Metsudah Publications, 2009:**
לך לשלום, go ahead without worry, I will do what you asked.


###### Sforno on Exodus 4:19:1
[Sforno on Exodus 4:19:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Sforno%20on%20Exodus/r/4:19:1)

**כִּי מֵתוּ כָּל הָאֲנָשִׁים.** הַמֶּלֶךְ וַעֲבָדָיו אֲשֶׁר בִּקְשׁוּ לְהָרְגְךָ, כַּאֲשֶׁר בֵּאַר לְמַעְלָה (שמות ב:כג) בְּאָמְרֹו "וַיָּמָת מֶלֶךְ מִצְרָיִם".

**Yalkut, Sifsei Chachomim Chumash, Metsudah Publications, 2009:**
כי מתו כל האנשים , both the king and his servants who tried to kill you. We explained this already in connection with 2,23 when Pharaoh’s death was reported.


###### Sforno on Exodus 4:20:1
[Sforno on Exodus 4:20:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Sforno%20on%20Exodus/r/4:20:1)

**וַיַּרְכִּיבֵם עַל הַחֲמֹר.** לְהוֹלִיכָם מִן הַמִּדְבָּר לְמִדְיָן וּלְבֵית חָמִיו.

**Yalkut, Sifsei Chachomim Chumash, Metsudah Publications, 2009:**
וירכיבם על החמור, to let them travel from the desert where Moses tended the sheep to Midian, i.e. to her father’s home.


###### Sforno on Exodus 4:20:2
[Sforno on Exodus 4:20:2](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Sforno%20on%20Exodus/r/4:20:2)

**וַיָּשָׁב אַרְצָה מִצְרָיִם.** הוּא לְבַדּוֹ אַחַר שִׁלּוּחֵיהֶם:

**Yalkut, Sifsei Chachomim Chumash, Metsudah Publications, 2009:**
וישב ארצה מצרים, while Moses went on his way back to the land of Egypt.


###### Sforno on Exodus 4:21:1
[Sforno on Exodus 4:21:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Sforno%20on%20Exodus/r/4:21:1)

**בְּלֶכְתְּךָ לָשׁוּב מִצְרַיְמָה.** בְּכָל פַּעַם שֶׁאֶשְׁלָחֲךָ מֵאָהֳלְךָ שֶׁיִּהְיֶה חוּץ לְעִיר מִצְרַיִם, כְּאָמְרוֹ (שמות ט:כט) "כְּצֵאתִי אֶת הָעִיר אֶפְרֹשׂ כַּפַּי", וַאֲצַוְּךָ שֶׁתָּשׁוּב לְמִצְרַיִם לְדַבֵּר אֶל פַּרְעֹה.

**Yalkut, Sifsei Chachomim Chumash, Metsudah Publications, 2009:**
בלכתך לשוב מצרימה, every time I tell you to leave your tent which is outside the boundary of the Egyptian capital, etc., do precisely what I command you. The nature of the capital, with all its abominations prevented prayer offered in that city to G’d to become effective, as we know from 9,29 where Moses explains this to Pharaoh. G’d says: “I will command you from time to time to enter the capital in order to speak to Pharaoh.”


###### Sforno on Exodus 4:21:2
[Sforno on Exodus 4:21:2](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Sforno%20on%20Exodus/r/4:21:2)

**רְאֵה כָּל הַמּוֹפְתִים אֲשֶׁר שַׂמְתִּי בְיָדֶךָ.** עַיֵּן בְּכָל פַּעַם בְּכָל הַמּוֹפְתִים שֶׁיִּהְיוּ אָז מוּשָׂמִים בְּיָדְךָ, לַעֲשׂוֹתָם עַל הָאֹפֶן וְהַסֵּדֶר אֲשֶׁר אֲצַוְּךָ.

**Yalkut, Sifsei Chachomim Chumash, Metsudah Publications, 2009:**
ראה כל המופתים אשר שמתי בידך, pay careful attention each time you go to Pharaoh when you will be equipped with the power to perform all the miracles which I have placed at your disposal. You must perform these in exactly the manner I have instructed you.


###### Sforno on Exodus 4:21:3
[Sforno on Exodus 4:21:3](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Sforno%20on%20Exodus/r/4:21:3)

**וַעֲשִׂיתָם לִפְנֵי פַרְעֹה.** אָז תַּצְלִיחַ לַעֲשׂוֹתָם לִפְנֵי פַרְעֹה כְּשֶׁלֹּא תְשַׁנֶּה. כִּי כְשֶׁיֶּחֱטָא הָאָדָם בְּמִצְוֹת בּוֹרְאוֹ בְּחָסֵר וּבְיָתֵר, יְקַלְקֵל הַכַּוָּנָה וְהִיא לֹא תִּצְלַח, כְּמוֹ שֶׁהָיָה הָעִנְיָן בְּמֵי מְרִיבָה. וְכֵן צִוָּה בְּקִיּוּם הַמִּצְוֹת (דברים ד:ב) "לֹא תֹסִפוּ וְלֹא תִגְרְעוּ".

**Yalkut, Sifsei Chachomim Chumash, Metsudah Publications, 2009:**
ועשיתם לפני פרעה, you will be successful in this only if you proceed exactly in the manner in which I instruct you, and in the presence of Pharaoh. When a creature sins against his Creator by doing either less or more than instructed to do, he will fail in what he set out to do. This rule did not only apply to Moses and Aaron when they set out to perform miracles, but it is a general rule applicable to all of G’d’s commandments, and this is why the Torah spelled this out in Deuteronomy 4,2 writing “do not add or subtract from all the commandments which I have commanded you.”


###### Sforno on Exodus 4:21:4
[Sforno on Exodus 4:21:4](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Sforno%20on%20Exodus/r/4:21:4)

**וַאֲנִי אֲחַזֵּק אֶת לִבּוֹ.** כִּי בִּהְיוֹתוֹ בִּלְתִּי יָכוֹל לִסְבֹּל הַמַּכּוֹת, הָיָה מְשַׁלֵּחַ אֶת הָעָם בְּלִי סָפֵק, לֹא מִפְּנֵי שֶׁיִּכָּנַע לָאֵל יִתְבָּרַךְ לַעֲשׂוֹת רְצוֹנוֹ, וְלָזֶה חִזֵּק אֶת לִבּוֹ שֶׁיִּתְאַמֵּץ לִסְבֹּל הַמַּכּוֹת וּלְבִלְתִּי שַׁלְּחָם.

**Yalkut, Sifsei Chachomim Chumash, Metsudah Publications, 2009:**
ואני אחזק את לבו, for if he could not endure the plagues he would let the Israelites go, not because he was finally humbling himself before the Lord and do His will, but only in order to get relief from the plagues. This was not a good enough reason to grant him relief; therefore G’d reinforced his natural obstinacy.


###### Sforno on Exodus 4:22:1
[Sforno on Exodus 4:22:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Sforno%20on%20Exodus/r/4:22:1)

**בְּנִי בְכֹרִי יִשְׂרָאֵל.** אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁלְּקֵץ הַיָּמִין אֶהְפֹּךְ אֶל הָעַמִּים שָׂפָה בְרוּרָה, לִקְרֹא כֻלָּם בְּשֵׁם ה', וּלְעָבְדוֹ שְׁכֶם אֶחָד (צפניה ג:ט), מִכָּל מָקוֹם יֵחָשֵׁב יִשְׂרָאֵל אֶצְלִי נִכְבָּד מִכֻּלָּם, בַּאֲשֶׁר הוּא בְּנִי, עוֹבֵד כְּמוֹ בֵן מֵאַהֲבָה, לֹא כְעֶבֶד מֵאַהֲבַת שָׂכָר וְיִרְאַת עֹנֶשׁ. וּמִצַּד מַה שֶּׁהוּא בְּכוֹרִי, רִאשׁוֹן לַעֲבוֹדָתִי, בִּתְעוֹת כָּל הָאֻמּוֹת מֵעָלַי, כַּאֲמָרוֹ "כִּי כָל הָעַמִּים יֵלְכוּ אִישׁ בְּשֵׁם אֱלֹהָיו, וַאֲנַחְנוּ נֵלֵךְ בְּשֵׁם ה' אֱלֹהֵינוּ לְעוֹלָם וָעֶד וְכוּ'" (מיכה ד:ה).

**Yalkut, Sifsei Chachomim Chumash, Metsudah Publications, 2009:**
בני בכורי ישראל, even though when it comes to the period known as קץ הימים, the end of the days of this planet, G’d will cause the kind of upheaval which will result in all the nations calling G’d by His chosen name and they will all serve Him without reservations, (Tzefaniah 3,9) even then Israel will still be special inasmuch as it is “My son.” I relate to Israel as a father relates to his son, not as a master relates to his servant, even the most benign of masters. A servant’s loyalty or “love” for his master is based on his expectations of reward, or his fear of punishment, not so a son’s loyalty and love. An additional reason for My preference for Israel is the fact that it is My firstborn son, i.e. it is the first nation to accept My position as Creator, King, Master in this universe. At a time when all the other nations were still following their misguided theologies, only the Jewish people proclaimed Me exclusively as their G’d and lawgiver. (compare Micah 4,5).


###### Sforno on Exodus 4:23:1
[Sforno on Exodus 4:23:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Sforno%20on%20Exodus/r/4:23:1)

**הִנֵּה אָנֹכִי הֹרֵג אֶת בִּנְךָ בְּכֹרֶךָ.** כְּפִי הַמִּשְׁפָּט הָאֱלֹהִי שֶׁהוּא מִדָּה כְּנֶגֶד מִדָּה, כַּאֲמָרוֹ "וּכְאֹרַח אִישׁ יַמְצִאֶנּוּ" (איוב לד:יא). כִּי אָמְנָם מַכַּת בְּכוֹרוֹת לְבַדָּהּ הָיְתָה לְמִשְׁפָּט עֹנֶשׁ לְפַרְעֹה מִכָּל הַמַּכּוֹת, אֲבָל שְׁאָר הַמַּכּוֹת הָיוּ לְאוֹת וּלְמוֹפֵת לְמַעַן יָשׁוּבוּ, כִּי לֹא יַחְפֹּץ בְּמוֹת הַמֵּת, כִּי לֹא נָעַל בִּפְנֵיהֶם דַּרְכֵי הַתְּשׁוּבָה אֲמִתִּית כְּלָל, לוּ חָכְמוּ לָשׁוּב אֶל הָאֵל יִתְבָּרַךְ מֵאַהֲבַת טוּבוֹ וְיִרְאַת גָּדְלוֹ, שֶׁהִיא הַתְּשׁוּבָה הַמַּגַּעַת עַד כִּסֵּא הַכָּבוֹד, אֲשֶׁר הִיא הַמַּצֶּלֶת וְנוֹתֶנֶת חֵן בְּעֵינֵי אֱלֹהִים, כַּאֲמָרָם זִכְרוֹנָם לִבְרָכָה (יומא פו:) "עֲוֹנוֹת נֶחְשָׁבִים לוֹ כִּזְכֻיּוֹת", אוֹ לְפָחוֹת לָשׁוּב כַּעֲבָדִים מִיִּרְאַת מַה שֶּׁיּוּכַל לְהַעֲנִישׁ. אֲבָל מַכַּת בְּכוֹרוֹת וּטְבִיעַת פַּרְעֹה וְחֵילוֹ בַּיָּם הָיוּ שְׁפָטִים אֱלֹהִיִּים לְקַיֵּם מִדָּה כְּנֶגֶד מִדָּה.

**Yalkut, Sifsei Chachomim Chumash, Metsudah Publications, 2009:**
הנה אנכי הורג את בנך בכורכך, even though when it comes to the period known as קץ הימים, the end of the days of this planet, G’d will cause the kind of upheaval which will result in all the nations calling G’d by His chosen name and they will all serve Him without reservations, (Tzefaniah 3,9) even then Israel will still be special inasmuch as it is “My son.” I relate to Israel as a father relates to his son, not as a master relates to his servant, even the most benign of masters. A servant’s loyalty or “love” for his master is based on his expectations of reward, or his fear of punishment, not so a son’s loyalty and love. An additional reason for My preference for Israel is the fact that it is My firstborn son, i.e. it is the first nation to accept My position as Creator, King, Master in this universe. At a time when all the other nations were still following their misguided theologies, only the Jewish people proclaimed Me exclusively as their G’d and lawgiver. (compare Micah 4,5).


###### Sforno on Exodus 4:24:1
[Sforno on Exodus 4:24:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Sforno%20on%20Exodus/r/4:24:1)

**וַיְהִי בַדֶּרֶךְ בַּמָּלוֹן.** בְּלֶכְתּוֹ מִן הַמִּדְבָּר לְמִדְיָן עִם אִשְׁתּוֹ וּבָנָיו. וְסִפֵּר זֶה אַחַר שֶׁהִשְׁלִים כָּל מִצְוֹת הָאֵל יִתְבָּרַךְ אֵלָיו בִּדְבַר הַשְּׁלִיחוּת.

**Yalkut, Sifsei Chachomim Chumash, Metsudah Publications, 2009:**
ויהי בדרך במלון, when he was on the way from the desert to Midian with his wife and children. The Torah tells of this incident after concluding the report of how G’d appointed Moses as the leader of the Jewish people.


###### Sforno on Exodus 4:24:2
[Sforno on Exodus 4:24:2](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Sforno%20on%20Exodus/r/4:24:2)

**וַיִּפְגְּשֵׁהוּ ה'.** קָרָה יוֹם מִילַת בְּנוֹ, אֲשֶׁר בּוֹ תִּשְׁרֶה שְׁכִינָה לַעֲמוֹד בַּבְּרִית, כְּעִנְיַן "נִמּוֹלוּ אִתּוֹ וַיֵּרָא אֵלָיו ה'" (בראשית יז:כג-כו, יח:א). וְאוּלַי זֹאת הִיא סִבַּת הַמִּנְהָג לְהָכִין כִּסֵּא כָּבוֹד בִּמְקוֹם הַמִּילָה.

**Yalkut, Sifsei Chachomim Chumash, Metsudah Publications, 2009:**
ויפגשהו ה', the 8th day on which he should have circumcised his son occurred [the word is derived from פגש, occurred, happened. Ed.] When the baby is circumcised the presence of the Lord, שכינה is perceived as being present waiting to induct the new member of the Jewish faith. Perhaps this is even the source of the practice to place a chair for the prophet Elijah at the circumcision ceremony.


###### Sforno on Exodus 4:24:3
[Sforno on Exodus 4:24:3](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Sforno%20on%20Exodus/r/4:24:3)

**וַיְבַקֵּשׁ הֲמִיתוֹ.** מַלְאָךְ הַמְמֻנֶּה עַל זֶה בִּקֵּשׁ לַהֲרֹג אֶת מֹשֶׁה בִּשְׁבִיל שֶׁנִּתְרַשֵּׁל.

**Yalkut, Sifsei Chachomim Chumash, Metsudah Publications, 2009:**
When the time passed without Eliezer being circumcised, the Shechinah or the angel in charge of circumcision was ready to kill Moses for having been so remiss in fulfilling this commandment.


###### Sforno on Exodus 4:25:1
[Sforno on Exodus 4:25:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Sforno%20on%20Exodus/r/4:25:1)

**וַתֹּאמֶר כִּי חֲתַן דָּמִים אַתָּה לִי.** עָשִׂיתִי זֶה כִּי אַתָּה כְּשֶׁנְּשָׂאתַנִי וְהָיִיתָ חָתָן לִי הִתְנֵיתָ עִמִּי שֶׁנָּמוּל אֶת בָּנֵינוּ וְנוֹצִיא מֵהֶם דַּם בְּרִית, וְכָל זֶה אָמְרָה לְזַכּוֹת מֹשֶׁה לִפְנֵי הַמְבַקֵּשׁ לַהֲמִית.

**Yalkut, Sifsei Chachomim Chumash, Metsudah Publications, 2009:**
ותאמר כי חתן דמים אתה לי. I have done this seeing that when I became married to you and you were my bridegroom you stipulated that our sons would have to be circumcised and that we would extract a certain amount of blood as the mark of the covenant with G’d. Tzipporah said all this to the angel who wanted to kill her husband in his defence i.e. the angel must know that there was no deliberate negligence in performing the rite of circumcision.


###### Sforno on Exodus 4:26:1
[Sforno on Exodus 4:26:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Sforno%20on%20Exodus/r/4:26:1)

**וַיִּרֶף מִמֶּנּוּ.** אֲבָל לֹא הִנִּיחוֹ לְגַמְרֵי.

**Yalkut, Sifsei Chachomim Chumash, Metsudah Publications, 2009:**
וירף ממנו, he released him partially, but not totally, as until the second part of the circumcision, the פריעה, the uncovering of the corona, had been performed the ritual is considered incomplete, and not valid.


###### Sforno on Exodus 4:26:2
[Sforno on Exodus 4:26:2](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Sforno%20on%20Exodus/r/4:26:2)

**אָז אָמְרָה חֲתַן דָּמִים לַמּוּלֹת.** כְּשֶׁהָיִיתָ חָתָן אָמַרְתָּ שֶׁנּוֹצִיא דָּמִים בִּשְׁתֵּי מִילוֹת, שֶׁהֵן כְּרִיתַת הַמִּילָה וְהַפְּרִיעָה:

**Yalkut, Sifsei Chachomim Chumash, Metsudah Publications, 2009:**
אז אמרה חתן דמים למולות, when you were a bridegroom you said that the circumcision involves the removal of some blood during two stages of the circumcision, first the cutting off of the foreskin, then the severing of membrane over the corona.


###### Sforno on Exodus 4:27:1
[Sforno on Exodus 4:27:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Sforno%20on%20Exodus/r/4:27:1)

**לֵךְ לִקְרַאת מֹשֶׁה הַמִּדְבָּרָה.** כְּתַלְמִיד מַקְבִּיל פְּנֵי הָרַב, כַּאֲמָרוֹ וְאַתָּה תִּהְיֶה לּוֹ לֵאלֹהִים:

**Yalkut, Sifsei Chachomim Chumash, Metsudah Publications, 2009:**
לך לקראת משה המדברה, like a student who walks some distance to welcome his teacher even before he arrives in town. The student is what we call the “reception committee.” Aaron being a student of Moses although he was his senior has been confirmed already in verse 16 when G’d told Moses concerning his brother: “you will be his prophet, i.e. mentor.”


###### Sforno on Exodus 4:27:2
[Sforno on Exodus 4:27:2](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Sforno%20on%20Exodus/r/4:27:2)

**וַיִּפְגְּשֵׁהוּ בְּהַר הָאֱלֹהִים.** בְּשׁוּבוֹ מִמִּדְיָן לָלֶכֶת לְמִצְרַיִם:

**Yalkut, Sifsei Chachomim Chumash, Metsudah Publications, 2009:**
ויפגשהו בהר האלוקים. while Moses was already on his way back to Midian from his encounter at the burning bush, at the mountain of the Lord, all set to go to Egypt.


###### Sforno on Exodus 4:27:3
[Sforno on Exodus 4:27:3](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Sforno%20on%20Exodus/r/4:27:3)

**וַיִּשַּׁק לוֹ.** כִּמְנַשֵּׁק דָּבָר קָדוֹשׁ, כְּעִנְיַן "וַיִּשָּׁקֵהוּ, וַיֹּאמֶר הֲלוֹא כִּי מְשָׁחֲךָ ה' עַל נַחֲלָתוֹ לְנָגִיד" (שמואל א י:א).

**Yalkut, Sifsei Chachomim Chumash, Metsudah Publications, 2009:**
וישק לו, as one kisses a sacred object. We find the term used in this sense in Samuel I 10,1 וישקהו, ויאמר הלא כי משחך ה' על נחלתו לנגיד, ”he kissed him and said: ‘the Lord herewith anoints you ruler over His own people.”