שמות, פרק ט׳, פסוק ל׳

Following Pharaoh’s dramatic confession of guilt and his declaration of God’s righteousness, Moses immediately strips away the king's mask of false submission. Moses exposes the psychological reality behind this temporary surrender, making it clear that the king's true motives are completely transparent. This rebuke is directed not only at Pharaoh but also at his royal court, as Moses observed that the royal servants had similarly ignored God's prior warnings, carelessly leaving their livestock in the fields to be struck by the devastating hail [אור החיים]. Moses knows with absolute certainty that Pharaoh will revert to his stubborn rebellion. This foresight stems from God having already hinted at future plagues destined for Egypt; if Pharaoh’s current submission were genuine, there would be no need for further strikes [אור החיים, אדרת אליהו, מלבי״ם].

Moses challenges the sincerity of the Egyptian fear, pointing out that it is fundamentally flawed. It is not an elevated awe born from recognizing the greatness of the Creator, but merely a base fear of punishment, driven by the crushing weight of physical pain and harsh judgment [העמק דבר, ביאור יש״ר, קאסוטו]. Commentators offer different perspectives on how Moses frames this lack of genuine reverence. The primary approach suggests Moses is telling Pharaoh and his servants that, despite the devastation they have witnessed, they still do not truly fear God. Their confession is merely a reaction to immense pressure rather than a sincere change of heart [רש״י, רשב״ם, ספורנו, נתינה לגר, ביאור שטיינזלץ, קאסוטו]. Others interpret Moses's words as an observation of Pharaoh's predictable behavioral pattern: he only exhibits fear while the plague is actively threatening him. The moment the danger is lifted and relief sets in, his fear evaporates, and his rebellion resumes [אבן עזרא, רמב״ן, רלב״ג, בעל הטורים, צרור המור]. A third perspective views Moses's statement as a prophecy, warning the Egyptians that before they finally agree to release the Israelites, they will experience a terror far greater than the hail [בכור שור, חזקוני].

This incomplete fear is closely tied to the agricultural reality left in the wake of the storm. Some explain that because the vital wheat crops survived the hail, Pharaoh and his servants developed a false sense of security, assuming God was incapable of destroying them completely [חזקוני, צרור המור]. Conversely, another approach suggests the exact opposite: having already lost their flax and barley, the Egyptians felt they had nothing left to lose, causing their fear of further punishment to fade. In response, Moses reminds them that their crucial wheat crops still stand, giving them ample reason to dread the next plague that could easily destroy what remains [מלבי״ם].

Because this fear is so deeply flawed, Moses informs Pharaoh that God will not accommodate the king's hidden desire. Pharaoh secretly hoped God would only stop the destructive hail but allow the beneficial rain to continue falling for the sake of Egyptian agriculture. Instead, God will cease all precipitation entirely, ensuring that a sinner does not walk away rewarded [כלי יקר].