Exodus 11:9
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר יְהוָה֙ אֶל־מֹשֶׁ֔ה לֹא־יִשְׁמַ֥ע אֲלֵיכֶ֖ם פַּרְעֹ֑ה לְמַ֛עַן רְבֹ֥ות מֹופְתַ֖י בְּאֶ֥רֶץ מִצְרָֽיִם׃
1. Transliteration
Vayyōmer YHWH el-Mōsheh, lō-yishmaʿ ʾălêkhem Parʿōh, lemaʿan revōt mōfetay beʾerets Mitsrayim.
2. Literal Translation
And YHWH said to Moshe, “Parʿo will not listen to you, in order that My wonders may multiply in the land of Mitsrayim.”
3. Grammar Focus: The Purpose Phrase לְמַעַן
The small Hebrew word לְמַעַן means “in order that,” “so that,” or “for the purpose of.” It tells the reader why something is being allowed or arranged in the sentence.
Here, Pharaoh’s refusal is not presented as random. Hebrew uses לְמַעַן to show purpose: Pharaoh will not listen, so that YHWH’s wonders may become many in Mitsrayim.
For beginners, think of לְמַעַן as a little doorway into the reason behind the action. It does not merely move the story forward. It explains the direction of the story.
4. Vocabulary Builder: Root Pathways from the Verse
| Hebrew Word | Pronunciation | Core Root & Meaning | Ancient Concrete Insight |
|---|---|---|---|
| וַיֹּאמֶר | vayyōmer | Root א־מ־ר, “to say” | Speech begins the movement. The verse opens with divine saying. |
| יִשְׁמַע | yishmaʿ | Root שׁ־מ־ע, “to hear, listen, obey” | In Hebrew, hearing often means responding. Pharaoh does not merely fail to hear sound; he refuses obedience. |
| רְבוֹת | revōt | Root ר־ב־ה, “to become many, multiply” | The idea is growth in number or intensity. The wonders will not remain few. |
| מֹופְתַי | mōfetay | From מוֹפֵת, “wonder, sign, marvel” | A visible act that makes divine power unmistakable before human eyes. |
5. Syntax Insight: The Verse Moves in Three Steps
Step 1: Divine speech begins the verse
וַיֹּאמֶר יְהוָה אֶל־מֹשֶׁה means “And YHWH said to Mosheh.” The verb comes first, giving the sentence motion from the very beginning.
Step 2: Pharaoh’s refusal is stated plainly
לֹא־יִשְׁמַע אֲלֵיכֶם פַּרְעֹה means “Parʿo will not listen to you.” The negative לֹא stands directly before the verb, making the refusal firm and clear.
Step 3: The purpose is revealed
לְמַעַן רְבוֹת מֹופְתַי means “in order that My wonders may multiply.” The refusal becomes the stage on which the wonders increase.
6. A Scribal Note on the Word מֹופְתַי
The word מֹופְתַי means “My wonders.” The ending ־ַי marks possession: the wonders belong to YHWH.
This is important because the verse does not simply say “wonders will happen.” It says My wonders. The Hebrew makes the source personal and direct. The signs are not magic, accident, or nature acting alone. They are YHWH’s own displayed acts.
7. Beginner Practice Activity: Find the Purpose Marker
Look at the Hebrew phrase below:
לְמַעַן רְבֹות מֹופְתַי
Which Hebrew word means “in order that” or “so that”?
| Hebrew Element | Your Discovery |
|---|---|
| לְמַעַן | Does this show purpose? |
| רְבֹות | Does this describe multiplying? |
| מֹופְתַי | Does this mean “My wonders”? |
Click to Reveal the Scribal Answer
Answer: The correct word is לְמַעַן.
לְמַעַן points to purpose. It helps the beginner see why Pharaoh’s refusal is mentioned: so that YHWH’s wonders may multiply in Mitsrayim.
What the Ancient Sentence Quietly Reveals
This verse teaches beginners that Hebrew often moves with strong purpose. First, YHWH speaks. Then Pharaoh’s refusal is announced. Then the reason is opened with לְמַעַן.
The sentence does not treat resistance as the end of the story. In Hebrew, even refusal can become part of the movement toward revelation. The word רְבֹות quietly carries the sense of increase: the wonders will grow, multiply, and fill the land with visible force.
For a beginner reader, the beauty of the verse is this: a small purpose word, לְמַעַן, changes how the whole sentence feels. The text is not only telling what Pharaoh will do. It is showing what YHWH will make visible through it.
