Tanach
Shemot 7 שמות ז׳
Part of: VaeraVaera, Aliyah 3Vaera, Aliyah 4Petuchah, Exodus 7:1Petuchah, Exodus 7:8Petuchah, Exodus 7:26Setumah, Exodus 7:14Setumah, Exodus 7:19
Reading: Hebrew · Simple EnglishHebrew · Faithful translationHebrew onlyHebrew · Simple EnglishHebrew · Faithful translationHebrew onlySimple English onlyFaithful translation onlySide by sideRashi
וַיֹּאמֶר יְהֹוָה אֶל־מֹשֶׁה רְאֵה נְתַתִּיךָ אֱלֹהִים לְפַרְעֹה וְאַהֲרֹן אָחִיךָ יִהְיֶה נְבִיאֶֽךָ׃
Adonoy said to Moshe, “See, I have made you a god to Pharaoh, and Aharon, your brother will be your spokesman.
Adonoy said to Moshe, “See, I have made you a god to Pharaoh, and Aharon, your brother will be your spokesman.
Rashi
יהיה נביאך. כתרגומו יְהֵי מְתוּרְגְּמָנָךְ, וכן כל לשון נבואה, אדם המכריז ומשמיע לעם דברי תוכחות, והוא מגזרת נִיב שְׂפָתָיִם (ישעי' נז, יט), יָנוּב חָכְמָה (משלי י, לא), וַיְכַל מֵהִתְנַבֹּות דשמואל (שמואל־א י, יג), ובלע"ז קוראין לו פרידי"גר
Will be your spokesman. [נְבִיאֶךָ is] as Onkelos translates it: “your interpreter.” Similarly, wherever [you find] the term נְבוּאָה (prophecy) [it refers to] a person who proclaims and lets the nation hear words of admonition, and comes from the same root as נִיב שְׂפָתָיִם [or] יָנוּב חָכְמָה — “It utters wisdom,” [or] וַיְכַל מֵהִתְנַבּוֹת — “He ended proclaiming,” of the Book of Shmuel. In Old French he is called preideor — preacher.
אַתָּה תְדַבֵּר אֵת כׇּל־אֲשֶׁר אֲצַוֶּךָּ וְאַהֲרֹן אָחִיךָ יְדַבֵּר אֶל־פַּרְעֹה וְשִׁלַּח אֶת־בְּנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵל מֵאַרְצֽוֹ׃
You will speak all that I command you and Aharon, your brother, will speak to Pharaoh, that he send the B’nei Yisrael out of his land.
You will speak all that I command you and Aharon, your brother, will speak to Pharaoh, that he send the B’nei Yisrael out of his land.
Rashi
אתה תדבר. פעם אחת כל שליחות ושליחות כפי ששמעת מפי, ואהרן אחיך ימליצנו ויטעימנו באזני פרעה:
You will speak — once, each and every message just as you heard it from Me and your brother Aharon will eloquently express it and make it palatable to the ears of Pharaoh.
וַאֲנִי אַקְשֶׁה אֶת־לֵב פַּרְעֹה וְהִרְבֵּיתִי אֶת־אֹתֹתַי וְאֶת־מוֹפְתַי בְּאֶרֶץ מִצְרָֽיִם׃
I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, [in order to] increase My signs and wonders in the land of Egypt.
I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, [in order to] increase My signs and wonders in the land of Egypt.
Rashi
ואני אקשה. מאחר שהרשיע והתריס כנגדי, וגלוי לפני שאין נחת רוח באומות עובדי אלילים, לתת לב שלם לשוב, טוב לי שיתקשה לבו, למען הרבות בו אותותי ותכירו את גבורותי, וכן מדתו של הקדוש ב"ה, מביא פורענות על האומות עובדי אלילים, כדי שישמעו ישראל וייראו, שנאמר הִכְרַתִּי גֹויִם נָשַמּוּ פִּנֹּותָם וגו' (צפניה ג, ו), אָמַרְתִּי אַךְ תִּירְאִי אֹותִי תִּקְחִי מוּסָר (שם ז), ואף על פי כן בחמש מכות הראשונות לא נאמר ויחזק ה' את לב פרעה, אלא ויחזק לב פרעה. (ועיין ברא"ם שגורס כאן דבור המתחיל בלכתך לשוב עד שמתים בידך, וכדלעיל בפרשת שמות בפסוק בלכתך לשוב ע"ש):
I will harden. Since he acted wickedly and in opposition towards Me, and it is revealed to Me that the nations take no pleasure in wholeheartedly repenting, it is better for Me that his heart be hardened so that My signs be increased against him and you will thereby recognize My power. This is the way of Hashem: He brings punishment upon the wicked nations so that Israel may hear about it and fear [Him], as it is said: “I have cut off nations making their corners desolate... I said: If only you would fear Me then you (Israel) will accept admonition.” Nevertheless, concerning the first five plagues it does not say: “Hashem strengthened Pharaoh’s heart” but, “Pharaoh’s heart was strengthened.”
וְלֹֽא־יִשְׁמַע אֲלֵכֶם פַּרְעֹה וְנָתַתִּי אֶת־יָדִי בְּמִצְרָיִם וְהוֹצֵאתִי אֶת־צִבְאֹתַי אֶת־עַמִּי בְנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵל מֵאֶרֶץ מִצְרַיִם בִּשְׁפָטִים גְּדֹלִֽים׃
[Thus] Pharaoh will not listen to you. But then I will display My hand against Egypt, and I will bring My multitude, My people, the B’nei Yisrael out of the land of Egypt with great acts of judgment.
[Thus] Pharaoh will not listen to you. But then I will display My hand against Egypt, and I will bring My multitude, My people, the B’nei Yisrael out of the land of Egypt with great acts of judgment.
Rashi
את ידי. יד ממש, להכות בהם:
My hand. [אֶת יָדִי is to be understood] literally, the hand with which to strike them.
וְיָדְעוּ מִצְרַיִם כִּֽי־אֲנִי יְהֹוָה בִּנְטֹתִי אֶת־יָדִי עַל־מִצְרָיִם וְהוֹצֵאתִי אֶת־בְּנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵל מִתּוֹכָֽם׃
Egypt will then know that I am Adonoy when I send forth My hand over Egypt and bring out the B’nei Yisrael from among them.”
Egypt will then know that I am Adonoy when I send forth My hand over Egypt and bring out the B’nei Yisrael from among them.”
וַיַּעַשׂ מֹשֶׁה וְאַהֲרֹן כַּאֲשֶׁר צִוָּה יְהֹוָה אֹתָם כֵּן עָשֽׂוּ׃
Moshe and Aharon did so. They did exactly as Adonoy commanded them.
Moshe and Aharon did so. They did exactly as Adonoy commanded them.
וּמֹשֶׁה בֶּן־שְׁמֹנִים שָׁנָה וְאַֽהֲרֹן בֶּן־שָׁלֹשׁ וּשְׁמֹנִים שָׁנָה בְּדַבְּרָם אֶל־פַּרְעֹֽה׃ {פ}
Moshe was eighty years old and Aharon was eighty-three years old when they spoke to Pharaoh.
Moshe was eighty years old and Aharon was eighty-three years old when they spoke to Pharaoh.
וַיֹּאמֶר יְהֹוָה אֶל־מֹשֶׁה וְאֶֽל־אַהֲרֹן לֵאמֹֽר׃
Adonoy said to Moshe and Aharon, saying:
Adonoy said to Moshe and Aharon, saying:
כִּי יְדַבֵּר אֲלֵכֶם פַּרְעֹה לֵאמֹר תְּנוּ לָכֶם מוֹפֵת וְאָמַרְתָּ אֶֽל־אַהֲרֹן קַח אֶֽת־מַטְּךָ וְהַשְׁלֵךְ לִפְנֵֽי־פַרְעֹה יְהִי לְתַנִּֽין׃
“When Pharaoh speaks to you, saying, ‘Give yourselves [credibility by displaying] a marvel;’ you [Moshe] should then say to Aharon, ‘Take your rod and throw it down before Pharaoh.’ It will become a serpent.’”
“When Pharaoh speaks to you, saying, ‘Give yourselves [credibility by displaying] a marvel;’ you [Moshe] should then say to Aharon, ‘Take your rod and throw it down before Pharaoh.’ It will become a serpent.’”
Rashi
מופת. אות, להודיע שיש צורך (צרוך) במי ששולח אתכם:
A marvel. A sign to make it known that there is power in the One Who sends you.
וַיָּבֹא מֹשֶׁה וְאַהֲרֹן אֶל־פַּרְעֹה וַיַּעֲשׂוּ כֵן כַּאֲשֶׁר צִוָּה יְהֹוָה וַיַּשְׁלֵךְ אַהֲרֹן אֶת־מַטֵּהוּ לִפְנֵי פַרְעֹה וְלִפְנֵי עֲבָדָיו וַיְהִי לְתַנִּֽין׃
Moshe and Aharon came to Pharaoh and they did exactly as Adonoy commanded [them]. Aharon threw his rod before Pharaoh and before his servants and it became a serpent.
Moshe and Aharon came to Pharaoh and they did exactly as Adonoy commanded [them]. Aharon threw his rod before Pharaoh and before his servants and it became a serpent.
Rashi
לתנין. נחש:
A serpent. [לְתַנִּין means] a serpent.
וַיִּקְרָא גַּם־פַּרְעֹה לַֽחֲכָמִים וְלַֽמְכַשְּׁפִים וַיַּֽעֲשׂוּ גַם־הֵם חַרְטֻמֵּי מִצְרַיִם בְּלַהֲטֵיהֶם כֵּֽן׃
Pharaoh too called [his] wise men and magicians. The sorcerers of Egypt also did likewise with their magic art.
Pharaoh too called [his] wise men and magicians. The sorcerers of Egypt also did likewise with their magic art.
Rashi
בלהטיהם בְּלַחֲשֵׁיהוֹן, ואין לו דמיון במקרא, ויש לדמות לו לַהַט הַחֶרֶב הַמִּתְהַפֶּכֶת (בראשית ג, כד), דומה שהיא מתהפכת על ידי לחש:
With their magic art. [Onkelos translates it as] בְּלַחֲשֵׁיהוֹן — “with their magic.” There is no comparable word [to בְּלַהֲטֵיהֶם] in Scripture. However, one may compare to it: “the לַהַט of the rotating sword,” for it appears to rotate [as if] by magic.
וַיַּשְׁלִיכוּ אִישׁ מַטֵּהוּ וַיִּהְיוּ לְתַנִּינִם וַיִּבְלַע מַטֵּֽה־אַהֲרֹן אֶת־מַטֹּתָֽם׃
When each man threw down his rod they (the rods) became serpents, and Aharon’s rod swallowed their rods.
When each man threw down his rod they (the rods) became serpents, and Aharon’s rod swallowed their rods.
Rashi
ויבלע מטה אהרן. מאחר שחזר ונעשה מטה בלע את כלן (שבת צז):
Aharon’s rod swallowed. After it became a rod again, did it swallow all the rest.
וַיֶּֽחֱזַק לֵב פַּרְעֹה וְלֹא שָׁמַע אֲלֵהֶם כַּאֲשֶׁר דִּבֶּר יְהֹוָֽה׃ {ס}
Pharaoh’s heart [remained] hard and he did not listen to them, just as Adonoy had foretold.
Pharaoh’s heart [remained] hard and he did not listen to them, just as Adonoy had foretold.
וַיֹּאמֶר יְהֹוָה אֶל־מֹשֶׁה כָּבֵד לֵב פַּרְעֹה מֵאֵן לְשַׁלַּח הָעָֽם׃
Adonoy said to Moshe, “Pharaoh’s heart is heavy [unmoved]. He refuses to let the people go.
Adonoy said to Moshe, “Pharaoh’s heart is heavy [unmoved]. He refuses to let the people go.
Rashi
כבד. תרגומו יַקִּיר, ולא אתיקר, מפני שהוא שם דבר, כמו כִּי כָּבֵד מִמְּךָ הַדָּבָר (שמות יח, יח):
Is heavy. The correct version of Onkelos is יַקִּיר — is hard and not אִתְיַקַּר — hardened, because it is an adjective as in: “the thing is too hard for you.”
לֵךְ אֶל־פַּרְעֹה בַּבֹּקֶר הִנֵּה יֹצֵא הַמַּיְמָה וְנִצַּבְתָּ לִקְרָאתוֹ עַל־שְׂפַת הַיְאֹר וְהַמַּטֶּה אֲשֶׁר־נֶהְפַּךְ לְנָחָשׁ תִּקַּח בְּיָדֶֽךָ׃
Go to Pharaoh in the morning when he goes out to the water, and stand there to meet him by the bank of the river. The rod that was turned into a snake, take in your hand.
Go to Pharaoh in the morning when he goes out to the water, and stand there to meet him by the bank of the river. The rod that was turned into a snake, take in your hand.
Rashi
הנה יצא המימה. לנקביו, שהיה עושה עצמו אלוה, ואומר שאינו צריך לנקביו, ומשכים ויוצא לנילוס ועושה שם צרכיו (שמו"ר ט, ז):
When he goes out to the water — to relieve himself, for he made claims to be a god and said that he did not need to relieve himself. He would arise early and go out to the Nile and there relieve himself.
וְאָמַרְתָּ אֵלָיו יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵי הָעִבְרִים שְׁלָחַנִי אֵלֶיךָ לֵאמֹר שַׁלַּח אֶת־עַמִּי וְיַֽעַבְדֻנִי בַּמִּדְבָּר וְהִנֵּה לֹא־שָׁמַעְתָּ עַד־כֹּֽה׃
Say to him, “Adonoy, God of the Hebrews, sent me to you to say [to you], ‘Send out My people that they may worship Me in the wilderness. Behold, thus far you have not listened.
Say to him, “Adonoy, God of the Hebrews, sent me to you to say [to you], ‘Send out My people that they may worship Me in the wilderness. Behold, thus far you have not listened.
Rashi
עד כה. עד הנה. ומדרשו, עד שתשמע ממני מכת בכורות, שאפתח בה בכה כֹּה אָמַר ה' כֲַּחצֹת הַלַּיְלָה:
Thus Far. [The plain meaning of עַד כֹּה is:] thus far. But its midrashic explanation is: “until you will hear [the word כֹּה] from Me at the killing of the first-born, which I will begin with the word כֹה: [viz.] “כֹּה — Thus did Hashem say at midnight.”
כֹּה אָמַר יְהֹוָה בְּזֹאת תֵּדַע כִּי אֲנִי יְהֹוָה הִנֵּה אָנֹכִי מַכֶּה ׀ בַּמַּטֶּה אֲשֶׁר־בְּיָדִי עַל־הַמַּיִם אֲשֶׁר בַּיְאֹר וְנֶהֶפְכוּ לְדָֽם׃
This is what Adonoy has said, ‘By this you will know that I am Adonoy. Behold, with the rod that is in my hand, I will strike the water of the river and it will turn into blood.
This is what Adonoy has said, ‘By this you will know that I am Adonoy. Behold, with the rod that is in my hand, I will strike the water of the river and it will turn into blood.
Rashi
ונהפכו לדם. לפי שאין גשמים יורדים במצרים, ונילוס עולה ומשקה את הארץ, ומצרים עובדים לנילוס, לפיכך הלקה את יראתם ואחר כך הלקה אותם:
It will turn into blood. Since rain does not fall in Egypt and the Nile rises and irrigates the land, and the Egyptians worship the Nile, He therefore struck their god [first] and afterwards struck them.
וְהַדָּגָה אֲשֶׁר־בַּיְאֹר תָּמוּת וּבָאַשׁ הַיְאֹר וְנִלְאוּ מִצְרַיִם לִשְׁתּוֹת מַיִם מִן־הַיְאֹֽר׃ {ס}
The fish that is in the river will die, and the river will become polluted. The Egyptians will weary themselves [trying to purify] drinking water from the river.’”
The fish that is in the river will die, and the river will become polluted. The Egyptians will weary themselves [trying to purify] drinking water from the river.’”
Rashi
ונלאו מצרים. לבקש רפואה למי היאור שיהיו ראויין לשתות:
The Egyptians will weary themselves — [attempting] to find a cure so that the waters of their river should be fit to drink.
וַיֹּאמֶר יְהֹוָה אֶל־מֹשֶׁה אֱמֹר אֶֽל־אַהֲרֹן קַח מַטְּךָ וּנְטֵֽה־יָדְךָ עַל־מֵימֵי מִצְרַיִם עַֽל־נַהֲרֹתָם ׀ עַל־יְאֹרֵיהֶם וְעַל־אַגְמֵיהֶם וְעַל כׇּל־מִקְוֵה מֵימֵיהֶם וְיִֽהְיוּ־דָם וְהָיָה דָם בְּכׇל־אֶרֶץ מִצְרַיִם וּבָעֵצִים וּבָאֲבָנִֽים׃
Adonoy said to Moshe, “Say to Aharon, ‘Take your rod and extend your hand over the waters of Egypt—over their rivers, over their canals, over their lakes, and over every place where their water is gathered, and it [the water] will become blood. There will be blood throughout all the land of Egypt, [even] in [vessels] of wood and [vessels] of stone.”
Adonoy said to Moshe, “Say to Aharon, ‘Take your rod and extend your hand over the waters of Egypt—over their rivers, over their canals, over their lakes, and over every place where their water is gathered, and it [the water] will become blood. There will be blood throughout all the land of Egypt, [even] in [vessels] of wood and [vessels] of stone.”
Rashi
אמר אל אהרן. לפי שהגין היאור על משה כשנשלך לתוכו, לפיכך לא לקה על ידו לא בדם ולא בצפרדעים, ולקה על ידי אהרן:
Say to Aharon. Since the river protected Moshe when he was thrown into it, therefore it was not struck by him, neither at the plague of blood nor at the plague of frogs, but was struck by Aharon.
נהרותם. הם נהרות המושכים כעין נהרות שלנו:
The rivers. [נְהָרוֹת] are the flowing rivers, just like our rivers.
יאוריהם. הם בריכות נגרים העשויות בידי אדם משפת הנהר לשדות, ונילוס מימיו מתברכים ועולה דרך היאורים ומשקה השדות:
Their canals. [יְאוֹרִים] are man-made irrigation canals that extend from the river’s edge to the fields. The waters of the Nile rise [periodically] and travel by way of the canals to irrigate the fields.
אגמיהם. קבוצת מים שאינן נובעין ואין מושכין, אלא עומדין במקום אחד, וקורין לו אשטנ"ק:
Their lakes. [אֲגַם is] a gathering of waters that do not spring up or flow but are stationary in one place, and called [in Old French] estanc.
בכל ארץ מצרים. אף במרחצאות ובאמבטאות שבבתים:
Throughout all the land of Egypt. Also in their bathhouses and the baths in their homes.
ובעצים ובאבנים. מים שבכלי עץ ובכלי אבן:
In the wood and stones. [Meaning] the water in the wooden vessels and the stone vessels.
וַיַּֽעֲשׂוּ־כֵן מֹשֶׁה וְאַהֲרֹן כַּאֲשֶׁר ׀ צִוָּה יְהֹוָה וַיָּרֶם בַּמַּטֶּה וַיַּךְ אֶת־הַמַּיִם אֲשֶׁר בַּיְאֹר לְעֵינֵי פַרְעֹה וּלְעֵינֵי עֲבָדָיו וַיֵּהָפְכוּ כׇּל־הַמַּיִם אֲשֶׁר־בַּיְאֹר לְדָֽם׃
Moshe and Aharon did exactly as Adonoy commanded them. He [Aharon] lifted the rod and struck the water in the river before the eyes of Pharaoh and before the eyes of his [Pharaoh’s] servants, and all the water of the river turned into blood.
Moshe and Aharon did exactly as Adonoy commanded them. He [Aharon] lifted the rod and struck the water in the river before the eyes of Pharaoh and before the eyes of his [Pharaoh’s] servants, and all the water of the river turned into blood.
וְהַדָּגָה אֲשֶׁר־בַּיְאֹר מֵתָה וַיִּבְאַשׁ הַיְאֹר וְלֹא־יָכְלוּ מִצְרַיִם לִשְׁתּוֹת מַיִם מִן־הַיְאֹר וַיְהִי הַדָּם בְּכׇל־אֶרֶץ מִצְרָֽיִם׃
The fish that were in the river died, and the river became so polluted that the Egyptians were unable to drink the water from the river. There was blood throughout all the land of Egypt.
The fish that were in the river died, and the river became so polluted that the Egyptians were unable to drink the water from the river. There was blood throughout all the land of Egypt.
וַיַּֽעֲשׂוּ־כֵן חַרְטֻמֵּי מִצְרַיִם בְּלָטֵיהֶם וַיֶּחֱזַק לֵב־פַּרְעֹה וְלֹא־שָׁמַע אֲלֵהֶם כַּאֲשֶׁר דִּבֶּר יְהֹוָֽה׃
The sorcerers of Egypt did likewise with their magic art. Pharaoh’s heart remained hardened and he did not listen to them, just as Adonoy had spoken.
The sorcerers of Egypt did likewise with their magic art. Pharaoh’s heart remained hardened and he did not listen to them, just as Adonoy had spoken.
Rashi
בלטיהם. לחש שאומרין אותו בלט ובחשאי. ורבותינו אמרו, בלטיהם מעשה שדים, בלהטיהם מעשה כשפים (סנהדרין סז:):
With their magic art. [בְּלָטֵיהֶם refers to a] magical incantation which is said (בַּלָט) secretly and in a (לַחַשׁ) whisper. Our Sages say: בְּלָטֵיהֶם refers to works of demons, whereas בְּלַהֲטֵיהֶם (v. 11) refers to witchcraft.
ויחזק לב פרעה. לומר על ידי מכשפות אתם עושים כן, תבן אתם מכניסין לָעֲפָרִיִּים (מנחות פה.) עיר שכולה תבן, אף אתם מביאין מכשפות למצרים שכולה כשפים:
Pharaoh’s heart remained hardened — by claiming, “You are doing this through witchcraft, you are importing straw to Efarayim — a city that is full of straw, you, too, are bringing witchcraft to Egypt which is full of witchcraft.”
וַיִּפֶן פַּרְעֹה וַיָּבֹא אֶל־בֵּיתוֹ וְלֹא־שָׁת לִבּוֹ גַּם־לָזֹֽאת׃
Pharaoh turned and went into his house, and paid no attention even to this [miracle].
Pharaoh turned and went into his house, and paid no attention even to this [miracle].
Rashi
גם לזאת. למופת המטה שנהפך לתנין ולא לזה של דם:
Even to this. [I.e., neither] to the wonder of the rod that turned into a serpent, neither to this [wonder] of the blood.
וַיַּחְפְּרוּ כׇל־מִצְרַיִם סְבִיבֹת הַיְאֹר מַיִם לִשְׁתּוֹת כִּי לֹא יָֽכְלוּ לִשְׁתֹּת מִמֵּימֵי הַיְאֹֽר׃
The Egyptians dug around the river for water to drink, for they could not drink from the waters of the river.
The Egyptians dug around the river for water to drink, for they could not drink from the waters of the river.
וַיִּמָּלֵא שִׁבְעַת יָמִים אַחֲרֵי הַכּוֹת־יְהֹוָה אֶת־הַיְאֹֽר׃ {פ}
Seven full days [passed] after Adonoy had struck the river.
Seven full days [passed] after Adonoy had struck the river.
Rashi
וימלא. מנין שבעת ימים שלא שב היאור לקדמותו, שהיתה המכה משמשת רביע חדש, ושלשה חלקים היה מעיד ומתרה בהם (שמו"ר ט, יב):
[Seven] full [days passed]. [וַיִמָּלֵא refers to] the number of seven days that the river did not revert to its original condition. For each plague functioned for a quarter of a month, and for three quarters [of a month] he would caution and warn them.
וַיֹּאמֶר יְהֹוָה אֶל־מֹשֶׁה בֹּא אֶל־פַּרְעֹה וְאָמַרְתָּ אֵלָיו כֹּה אָמַר יְהֹוָה שַׁלַּח אֶת־עַמִּי וְיַֽעַבְדֻֽנִי׃
Adonoy said to Moshe, “Go to Pharaoh and say to him, ‘This is what Adonoy has said, “Send out my people so they may worship Me.
Adonoy said to Moshe, “Go to Pharaoh and say to him, ‘This is what Adonoy has said, “Send out my people so they may worship Me.
וְאִם־מָאֵן אַתָּה לְשַׁלֵּחַ הִנֵּה אָנֹכִי נֹגֵף אֶת־כׇּל־גְּבוּלְךָ בַּֽצְפַרְדְּעִֽים׃
If you refuse to send [them,] behold I will plague all your borders [territories] with frogs.
If you refuse to send [them,] behold I will plague all your borders [territories] with frogs.
Rashi
ואם מאן אתה. ואם סרבן אתה. מאן כמו ממאן, מסרב, אלא כינה האדם על שם המפעל, כמו שָׁלֵו (איוב טז, יב) וְשֹׁקֵט (ירמיה מח, יא), סַר וְזָעֵף (מלכים ־א כ, מג):
If you refuse. [וְאִם מָאֵן אַתָּה means:] If you are a refuser מָאֵן meaning the same as מְמָאֵן “one who refuses”) or מְסָרֵב — “one who refuses.” [The difference being] only that it is describing a person based on an ongoing action, similar to שָׁלֵו — “a person at ease,” [or] שָׁקֵט — “a person serene” [or] סַר וְזָעֵף — “a person with anger.”
נגף את כל גבולך. מכה, וכן כל לשון מגפה אינו לשון מיתה אלא לשון מכה, וכן וְנָגְפוּ אִשָּׁה הָרָה (שמות כא, כב) אינו לשון מיתה, וכן וּבְטֶרֶם יִתְנַגְּפוּ רגליכם (ירמי' יג, טז), פֶּן תִּגֹּף בָּאֶבֶן רַגְלֶךָ (תהלים צא, יב), וּלְאֶבֶן נֶגֶף (ישעי' ח, יד):
I will plague all of your borders. [נֹגֵף means] striking a blow. Similarly, every form of the word מַגֵּפָה does not [necessarily] refer to killing, but, rather, refers to striking. Similarly, “They will strike (וְנָגְפוּ) a pregnant woman” does not refer to killing. Similarly, “Before your feet (יִתְנַגְּפוּ) strike against something,” [or] “Lest your feet (תִּגּוֹף) strike a stone,” [or] “And as a stumbling stone.”
וְשָׁרַץ הַיְאֹר צְפַרְדְּעִים וְעָלוּ וּבָאוּ בְּבֵיתֶךָ וּבַחֲדַר מִשְׁכָּבְךָ וְעַל־מִטָּתֶךָ וּבְבֵית עֲבָדֶיךָ וּבְעַמֶּךָ וּבְתַנּוּרֶיךָ וּבְמִשְׁאֲרוֹתֶֽיךָ׃
The river will swarm with frogs. They will emerge and come into your house, into your bedroom, and on your bed, into the houses of your servants and your people, into your ovens and into your kneading bowls.
The river will swarm with frogs. They will emerge and come into your house, into your bedroom, and on your bed, into the houses of your servants and your people, into your ovens and into your kneading bowls.
Rashi
ועלו. מן היאור:
They will emerge — from the river.
בביתך. ואחר כך בבתי עבדיך, הוא התחיל בעצה תחלה, ויאמר אל עמו, וממנו התחילה הפורענות (סוטה יא. — שמו"ר י, ד):
Into your house — and afterwards in your servants’ houses. [Since] he initiated the plan at the beginning: “He said to his nation” (1, 9), therefore the punishment began with him.
וּבְכָה וּֽבְעַמְּךָ וּבְכׇל־עֲבָדֶיךָ יַעֲלוּ הַֽצְפַרְדְּעִֽים׃
Upon you and upon your people and upon all your servants the frogs will emerge.
Upon you and upon your people and upon all your servants the frogs will emerge.
Rashi
ובכה ובעמך. בתוך מעיהם נכנסים ומקרקרין:
Upon you and upon your people. They would enter their intestines and croak.
נתתיך אלהים לפרעה. שופט ורודה לרדותו במכות ויסורין:
I have made you a god to Pharaoh. [אלקים means here] a judge and castigator, to castigate him with plagues and sufferings.