וַיֵּצֵ֖א מֵעִ֣ם פַּרְעֹ֑ה וַיֶּעְתַּ֖ר אֶל־יְהוָֽה׃
(Exodus 10:18)
And he went out from Pharaoh, and he pleaded to YHWH.
This verse shows a quiet but powerful transition: Moshe (Moses) leaves the presence of Pharaoh and turns immediately to YHWH in prayer. The Hebrew grammar and word order beautifully express both movement and intercession, two core patterns in the story of the plagues.
Hebrew Storytelling: Sequential Verbs in Motion
Biblical Hebrew often tells stories through a chain of verbs known as wayyiqtol forms—each one moving the narrative forward step by step.
Here, we see two such verbs:
1. וַיֵּצֵא — “And he went out”
2. וַיֶּעְתַּר — “And he pleaded”
The rhythm is simple and direct, yet profoundly expressive. The structure suggests that as soon as Moshe leaves Pharaoh, he immediately prays—showing faithful responsiveness and urgency in his relationship with YHWH.
Word-by-Word Breakdown
| Hebrew Word | English Meaning | Part of Speech | Grammar & Notes | Role in Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| וַיֵּצֵא | and he went out | Verb | Root: י־צ־א (“to go out”) Form: Qal wayyiqtol, 3rd person masculine singular Sequential action in narrative—marks the next event |
First action: Moshe leaves Pharaoh’s presence |
| מֵעִם | from (the presence of) | Preposition | Preposition מִן (“from”) + עִם (“with”) forms an idiom meaning “from the company of” or “from being with” | Marks separation—Moshe departs from Pharaoh |
| פַּרְעֹה | Pharaoh (Parʿo) | Proper noun | Name of Egypt’s ruler; object of the preposition מֵעִם | Indicates who Moshe left |
| וַיֶּעְתַּר | and he pleaded / prayed earnestly | Verb | Root: ע־ת־ר (“to plead, entreat”) Form: Qal wayyiqtol, 3rd person masculine singular Indicates deep, heartfelt intercession—not a casual prayer |
Second action: Moshe intercedes before YHWH |
| אֶל־ | to / toward | Preposition | Introduces the direction of the prayer—toward YHWH | Connects the verb “pleaded” with its object |
| יְהוָה | YHWH | Proper noun (Divine Name) | The object of Moshe’s prayer and intercession | Final word—climactic focus of the verse |
Grammar and Syntax Insights
- Wayyiqtol sequence: Both verbs (וַיֵּצֵא, וַיֶּעְתַּר) belong to the standard Hebrew narrative chain, linking cause and result naturally.
- Economy of expression: Only six Hebrew words express both departure and intercession—a hallmark of Hebrew’s concise storytelling.
- Verb nuance: The root ע־ת־ר carries emotional weight—it’s used for earnest prayer, often when someone pleads for mercy or relief (as Moshe does repeatedly during the plagues).
- Prepositional phrase מֵעִם: Literally “from with,” it signals personal separation—Moshe physically and symbolically leaves Pharaoh’s space to turn toward YHWH.
Tips for Beginners
- Follow the action order: In Hebrew narrative, events are told in verb chains—each one marked by וַ.
- Note repetition of form: Both verbs share the same structure (Qal wayyiqtol 3ms), but their meanings build on each other.
- Learn idioms: The phrase מֵעִם is common and means “from the presence of,” not simply “from.”
- Recognize reverence: When YHWH appears after אֶל (“to”), it always marks direction of prayer or devotion.
Hebrew in Motion
The beauty of Exodus 10:18 lies in its movement—from court to communion.
Moshe steps out of Pharaoh’s oppressive space and immediately steps into divine presence. The Hebrew verbs glide effortlessly from “went out” to “pleaded,” reminding readers that every act of departure can become an act of prayer.
In just one short verse, the Hebrew language captures humility, urgency, and faith in action—a timeless model for approaching YHWH.
