Structure – Shemot 6:2 – 7:7/0

Structural Analysis – Shemot 6:2 – 7:7
Introduction: "Dual Mission"

Open Structure in Stages   Open Outline

Broader Context

Shemot 6 is part of the larger unit "The Road to Redemption" which encompasses Chapters 6–15 in Sefer Shemot.¹ For elaboration and various possible subdivisions of this bigger unit, see Structure of Sefer Shemot.

Step 1 – Boundaries of the Unit

Introduction: "Dual Mission" (6:2 – 7:7)

• After Moshe's earlier mission ends in failure and dismay, Chapters 6:2 - 7:7 renew the dual mandate with which he is entrusted: to prepare the Israelites for the Exodus and to instruct Paroh to release them.² These two tasks are flip sides of the same coin, and they are explicitly linked in Moshe's response to Hashem.³ They are also described in parallel language,⁴ thereby creating a unitary whole.
• Characters – This scene shines the spotlight only on Hashem and Moshe,⁵ whereas in the surrounding units Moshe interacts also with Paroh, the Egyptians, and the Israelites.
• Plot – Hashem's words to Moshe here serve as an introduction which foretells what will occur in each of the following stages of the redemptive process.⁶ The unit therefore consists almost entirely of dialogue, while the adjacent stories detail Moshe's shuttling back and forth between the various parties and the actions which accompany his words.
• Literary markers – The units opens with the proclamation of "אֲנִי ה'‏"‎⁷ and the heralding of a new chapter in Hashem's relationship with the Children of Israel. The end of the unit provides closure by recording that Moshe and Aharon fulfilled their mission precisely as they were commanded.⁸
• Timing – It is unclear if any and how much time elapses between this unit and the previous one,⁹ and if the dialogue here between Hashem and Moshe is a continuous part of their conversation from Chapter 5.¹⁰ For more, see Chronology of Shemot 2–5 and Chronology of Shemot 6.
• Masoretic markers and the chapter division – Both the annual and triennial Torah reading divisions as well as the Masoretic parshiyot markers split between the rest of Chapter 6 and 6:1, as per the structure suggested here. In contrast, the chapter division links the first verse of Chapter 6 with the remainder of the chapter.¹¹

Step 2 – Division into Scenes

I. "Mission to the Israelites" (6:2-9)
II. "Mission to Paroh" (6:10 – 7:7)

• Plot – The unit of Shemot 6:2 – 7:7 splits into two very similar parts: Moshe's mission to the Israelites to inform them of the impending redemption and his mission to Paroh to demand that he let the people go.¹²
• Parallels – There are a number of points of similarity between the two sections:
  • Each describes Hashem's instructions to Moshe, Moshe's faithful execution of the mission, and the respective addressees not listening to Moshe's message ("וְלֹא שָׁמְעוּ", "וְלֹא יִשְׁמַע").‎¹³
  • Each uses the language of "וְהוֹצֵאתִי אֶתְכֶם... בִשְׁפָטִים גְּדֹלִים".
  • The goal of each is to bring about a recognition of Hashem (‏"וִידַעְתֶּם כִּי אֲנִי ה' אֱלֹהֵיכֶם", "וְיָדְעוּ מִצְרַיִם כִּי אֲנִי ה'"‏).

Step 3.1 – Subdivision of Scene I

A. "A Retrospective Account" (6:2-5)
B. "Message for the Israelites" (6:6-8)
C. "Israelites Don't Listen" (6:9)

• "Mission to the Israelites" comprises the backdrop verses which delineate Hashem's motivations, the promise to be transmitted to the Israelites, and the results of the mission.
• Parallels – Each of the backdrop and the message sections make mention of the two reasons for the Exodus: Hashem's covenant with the Patriarchs and his seeing the suffering of the Israelites.¹⁴
• Timing – The background verses describe past events, the promise to the Israelites looks toward the future, while the conclusion speaks of the present situation.
• Literary markers – Both the backdrop and the message open with the proclamation ‏"אֲנִי ה'"‏, and the message section ends with it as well.

Step 3.2 – Subdivision of Scene II

A. "Message for Paroh" (6:10 – 7:2)
B. "A Prospective Plan" (7:3-5)
C. "Moshe and Aharon Obey" (7:6-7)

• "Mission to Paroh" consists of Hashem's instructions to Paroh, His reassurance of Moshe, and Moshe and Aharon's carrying out of their mission
• Resumptive repetition – 6:29 – 7:2 recap the contents of 6:10-13, as there was an intervening genealogy in 6:14-28.
• External parallels – 7:3-5 encapsulate the themes of the three stages of redemption. For more, see Structure of Sefer Shemot.

Click here to continue to Literary Analysis.

¹ See Structure of Sefer Shemot and the discussion below for a critique of the alternative possibility that Chapter 6 is connected to the chapters which precede it.

² These two aspects are both present also in the earlier failed mission of Shemot 3–5.

³ See 6:12 "הֵן בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל לֹא שָׁמְעוּ אֵלַי וְאֵיךְ יִשְׁמָעֵנִי פַרְעֹה".

⁴ See Division of the Unit below.

⁵ The lone exception is Shemot 6:9 which conveys, almost in passing, that the Israelites paid no heed to Moshe's words.

⁶ For more, see Structure of Sefer Shemot.

⁷ This new introduction makes it difficult to say that 6:2 is merely a continuation of the preceding dialogue in Chapter 5 – see below.

⁸ The final verse of this unit also provides the only time marker in the first eleven chapters of Sefer Shemot.

⁹ It is also uncertain if they take place in the same location. While Chapter 5 takes place in Egypt, the setting of Chapter 6 could be back at Mt. Sinai (like Chapters 3–4). [Although 6:28 mentions Egypt, it is unclear to which section of the chapter it refers.]

¹⁰ U. CassutoShemot 6:2About Prof. U. Cassuto assumes that there was a hiatus, but Nechama Leibowitz, עיונים חדשים בספר שמות (ירושלים, תש"ל): 86 הערה 2 maintains that it was one continuous conversation. The Akeidat Yitzchak, who interprets "לָהֶם" in 6:3 as referring back to the Israelites mentioned at the end of 6:1, apparently also assumes that there is only one dialogue. Cf. Moshe Greenberg, Understanding Exodus (New York, 1969): vii-viii, who connects Chapter 6 to the preceding chapters and entitles the unit of Shemot 3:1 – 7:13 "Moses' Commissioning."

¹¹ As 6:1 is clearly a response to Moshe's complaint at the end of Chapter 5, the chapter division effectively links all of Chapter 6, not just with 6:1, but also with Chapter 5. See the note above regarding the timing of the two chapters.

¹² The sets of verses which constitute the two missions are roughly similar in size. This is not readily apparent because the second section is inflated by the parenthetical genealogy (6:14-28) and the resultant resumptive repetition (6:29-30).

¹³ See also 6:12 where Moshe links the two.

¹⁴ For discussion of the possible chiastic structure, see Literary Analysis.