THEOSISEphraem the Syrian
Moses indicated that Pharaoh's attendants would request his departure; however, it is evident from the account that it is Pharaoh himself who ultimately asks him to leave.
Exodus 12:31Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers
And Pharao calling Moses and Aaron, in the night, said: Arise and go forth from among my people, you and the children of Israel: go, sacrifice to the Lord as you say.
וַיִּקְרָא֩ לְמֹשֶׁ֨ה וּֽלְאַהֲרֹ֜ן לַ֗יְלָה וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ ק֤וּמוּ צְּאוּ֙ מִתּ֣וֹךְ עַמִּ֔י גַּם־אַתֶּ֖ם גַּם־בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל וּלְכ֛וּ עִבְד֥וּ אֶת־יְהוָ֖ה כְּדַבֶּרְכֶֽם׃
The Church Fathers on this verse
2 Church Fathers comment on this verse
Wlastow G.K.
Pharaoh explicitly commands or allows them to depart not only from his territory but also ‘out of the midst of my people’. This action fulfills the divine word proclaimed in Exodus 1:11.
Cross references
Passages read together with this verse.
- Ex 6:1And the Lord said to Moses: Now thou shalt see what I will do to Pharao: for by a mighty hand shall he let them go, and with a strong hand shall he cast them out of his land.
- Ex 8:8But Pharao called Moses and Aaron, and said to them: Pray ye to the Lord to take away the frogs from me and from my people; and I will let the people go to sacrifice to the Lord.
- Ex 10:9Moses said: We will go with our young and old, with our sons and daughters, with our sheep and herds: for it is the solemnity of the Lord our God.
- Ps 105 (104):38
- Ex 3:19But I know that the king of Egypt will not let you go, but by a mighty hand.
- Ex 3:20For I will stretch forth my hand, and will strike Egypt with all my wonders which I will do in the midst of them: after these he will let you go.
- Ex 10:29Moses answered: So shall it be as thou hast spoken, I will not see thy face anymore.
- Ex 11:1And the Lord said to Moses: Yet one plague more will I bring upon Pharao and Egypt, and after that he shall let you go, and thrust you out.