The language of ivrit ( עברית ) Exodus 10, Post #1
Welcome to my Hebrew reading & language series.
Exodus 10:1-5
We are starting a new chapter this week, chapter 10, which starts with God telling Moshe (Moses) why all this is happening. Last chapter, we saw the worst of the plagues so far, which was hail mixed with fire and Far'oh (Pharaoh) seemed to have repented, until he decided to not.
El Shadai (The Almighty) begins this post with "I have hardened Far'oh's heart..." So, who is doing all of this? Why is all this happening to the Mitsraim (Egyptians)? That's right. It is God that is causing the ruler to continue to hold the Hebrews in Mitsraim. But why? "...that you may know that I am YHVH."
In all my reading, this is one of the most prominent statement that the Creator makes. He wants to be known for his great works and he recounts the miraculous things he does, many of them memorialized in the moedim (appointed times).
Next, the God that has hardened the heart of Far'oh asks that same "exulted" one, "How long will you refuse to humble yourself before me?" God was not making him do anything. He was arranging the circumstances around the ruler that would cause his pride to "strengthen" Far'oh's resolve, I believe. Think about it. If you are the ruler of a country and everyone around you is constantly telling how great you are, how smart you are, how awesome you are and on and on, you start to think you are all those things. It kind of alters your reality and self esteem.
Next, he is told what will happen next. That billions of leaf eaters will be invading and there will be nothing green left in all the land. I have seen locusts in my life and it is a horror show outside. They are everywhere. I believe this passage goes on, next week, to say that these critters will be in their houses. That would be like a giant, noisy cockroach infestation.
Today's reading
English
Then YHVH said to Moses, "Go in to Pharaoh, for I have hardened his heart and the heart of his servants, that I may show these signs of mine among them, and that you may tell in the hearing of your son and of your grandson how I have dealt harshly with the Egyptians and what signs I have done among them, that you may know that I am YHVH."
So Moses and Aaron went in to Pharaoh and said to him, "Thus says YHVH, the God of the Hebrews, 'How long will you refuse to humble yourself before me? Let my people go, that they may serve me. For if you refuse to let my people go, behold tomorrow I will bring locusts into your country, and they shall cover the face of the land, so that no one can see the land. And they shall eat what is left to you after the hail, and they shall eat every tree of yours that grows in the field...
Hebrew
Next week, Pharaoh's servants plead with him...
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