Pharaoh's Fear of Israel Joining His Enemies in War

Midrash Tanchuma Buber, Shemot 8:4

Curated by Arthur·Translated by Maggid (Beta)·

"And it will come to pass that, when a war occurs" (Exodus 1:10) — they will be added to our enemies and go up out of the land. David said: "For our soul is bowed down to the dust" (Psalms 44:26). At that hour: "Arise, be a help to us, and redeem us for the sake of Your steadfast love" (Psalms 44:27).

Themes

RedemptionEgyptWarMosesDavid

Biblical References

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Midrash TanchumaO My Dove, in the Cranny of the Rocks This Is That Which Is Stated inO my dove, in the cranny of the rocks (Song of Songs 2:14): This is that which is stated in the verse (Psalms 18:3), "The Lord is my rock and my fortress." RabbMekhilta DeRabbi YishmaelWho Took You Out from the Land of Egypt They WereThe Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael pauses on a single phrase from the Ten Commandments to ask a question about dignity. When God declared "who took you out from the Yalkut Shimoni on TorahAaron Meets Moses in the Wilderness and Questions His FamilyAs Moses set out toward Egypt with his wife and sons, God told Aaron to go meet his brother in the wilderness. Aaron rushed out and threw his arms around him, kYalkut Shimoni on TorahThe Elders Who Slipped Away on the Road to PharaohMoses and Aaron gathered the elders of Israel and delivered God's message with a phrase the people had been taught to recognize: "I have surely remembered you."Yalkut Shimoni on TorahPharaoh Summons Moses and Aaron by Night to Rise and Go OutOn the night of the plague, Pharaoh did not send for Moses and Aaron through proper channels. He went looking himself, wandering the land and asking strangers wYalkut Shimoni on TorahThe Near Road and the First War Pressing on the SecondThe verse says God did not lead Israel by the nearest road, "for it was near" (Exodus 13:17), and one of the sages heard in those words a warning about timing.