וַיֹּ֛אמֶר נִרְפִּ֥ים אַתֶּ֖ם נִרְפִּ֑ים עַל־כֵּן֙ אַתֶּ֣ם אֹֽמְרִ֔ים נֵלְכָ֖ה נִזְבְּחָ֥ה לַֽיהוָֽה׃
And he said, “You are idle! Idle! Therefore you say, ‘Let us go and sacrifice to YHWH.’”
Explanation of Feature
This verse from Exodus 5:17 demonstrates two key grammatical and rhetorical features:
1. Repetition for emphasis – the phrase נִרְפִּים אַתֶּם נִרְפִּים (“you are idle, idle!”) repeats the same verb to heighten accusation and intensity.
2. The use of עַל־כֵּן (“therefore”) as a causal connector, introducing the consequence or result of a perceived condition.
Examples from Exodus 5:17
| Phrase | Structure | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| נִרְפִּים אַתֶּם נִרְפִּים | Passive participle + pronoun + repetition | “You are idle, idle!” – repeated for rhetorical force, a common device in biblical speech |
| עַל־כֵּן | Preposition עַל + demonstrative כֵּן | “Therefore” – introduces the reason they are making the request to worship |
| נֵלְכָה נִזְבְּחָה לַיהוָה | Cohortative verbs (1cp) + lamed preposition | “Let us go and sacrifice to YHWH” – Pharaoh mockingly echoes their request |
Related Grammatical Insight
– Repetition in Hebrew often conveys emphasis or intensity, not redundancy. Compare:
– מוֹת תָּמוּת – “You shall surely die” (Genesis 2:17)
– The cohortative forms נֵלְכָה and נִזְבְּחָה express volitional or collective intent (“let us go,” “let us sacrifice”).
– עַל־כֵּן is a regular formula meaning “therefore” or “that is why”, introducing logical or causal explanation.
In this verse, Pharaoh accuses the Israelites of laziness and sarcastically attributes their religious request to their idleness—a rhetorical dismissal rooted in strong accusatory grammar.
