Pharaoh Cries Woe Like a Man Who Sold His Land Too Cheaply

Yalkut Shimoni on Torah 225:10

Curated by Arthur·Told by Maggid·

Another interpretation: Who cried "Woe"? Pharaoh cried "Woe." To what may this be compared? To a man who owned tracts of land and sold them for a trifling price. The buyer went and built upon them chests and towers and many fine things. When the seller saw this, he said, "Woe to that man! What did he sell away!" So it was with Pharaoh. Israel had been enslaved to him with mortar and bricks, and they were not recognized as being a nation. But once Israel left Egypt and came and were arrayed as tribal banners at the sea, Pharaoh went out and saw them formed into banners, and he began to cry "Woe!" Thus it is written, "And it came to pass when Pharaoh let the people go" (Exodus 13:17).

Themes

ExodusEgyptRedemption

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