Set a Morah Over Them - Pharaoh and Hiram Reduced to Mortal Flesh

Midrash Tanchuma Buber, Vaera 16:1

Curated by Arthur·Translated by Maggid (Beta)·

"And the LORD said to Moses: Rise early in the morning and station yourself before Pharaoh, etc." (Exodus 9:13). "For at this time, etc." (Exodus 9:14). This is what Scripture says: "Set, O LORD, a morah over them" (Psalms 9:21) — make their faces red. What is a morah? He put into them a spirit of folly. Another interpretation: "Set, O LORD, a morah over them." Because they make themselves into lordships, make known to them that You are Lord over all of them. "Set, O LORD, a morah over them" — let the nations know that they are mortal man, while they make themselves into deities. Hiram king of Tyre made himself into a god, as it is said: "Because your heart is haughty and you have said, I am a god" (Ezekiel 28:2). The Holy One, blessed be He, made known to him that he is mortal man, for He said: "I cast you to the ground, before kings I set you, that they might gaze upon you" (Ezekiel 28:17). The Holy One, blessed be He, made known to him that he is flesh and blood. Thus: "Let the nations know that they are but mortal man. Selah" (Psalms 9:21).

Themes

Divine JudgmentEgyptMosesKingsPsalms

Biblical References

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