1. Exode 5:3 (NEG79)
  2. Explication du texte

Why is Moses’ words to Pharaoh in verse 3 different from his words to Pharaoh in verse 1?

Exode 5:3 (NEG79)

3 Ils dirent: Le Dieu des Hébreux nous est apparu. Permets-nous de faire trois journées de marche dans le désert, pour offrir des sacrifices à l'Eternel, afin qu'il ne nous frappe pas de la peste ou de l'épée.

There are a few possibilities:

  • Moses starts off boldly but is intimidated by Pharaoh’s refusal in Exodus 5:2, so he asks more humbly in Exodus 5:3.

  • Moses starts wrongly. What he says in Exodus 5:1 was not commanded by God, in Exodus 5:3 he corrects that. Exodus 5:3 is in line with God’s command in Exodus 3:18.

  • Moses speaks boldly and clearly in Exodus 5:1. In Exodus 5:3 he explains those words.

The third possibility seems the most likely. Moses makes no concessions, neither is he punished by God for what he has said (not even afterwards, Exodus 6:1). In Exodus 5:1 he gives a clear command from God. In Exodus 5:3 he tries to persuade Pharaoh with arguments. Though the us in lest he fall upon us with pestilence or with the sword is ambiguous, this us can also refer to the Pharaoh and the Egyptians. That also happens when the plagues follow.