Pharaoh's Word MI Turned to YAM at the Sea

Another interpretation: "Who is the LORD?" (Exodus 5:2). The Holy One, blessed be He, said to him: You said "Who?" (mi). By your life, by mi you shall be stricken — for mi read backward is yam (sea); at the sea you shall know who I am. Because you said, "I do not know the LORD" (ibid.), by your life, tomorrow you shall say, "The LORD is the righteous one, and I and my people are the wicked" (Exodus 9:27). You said, "and moreover I will not let Israel go" (Exodus 5:2); by your life, tomorrow you shall take hold of the hand of each and every one to send him away. Therefore it is said, "[And it came to pass, when Pharaoh let the people go]" (Exodus 13:17).