Shemos 4:22 · unit 1 — My firstborn son Israel

Parashas Shemos

The Complete Passuk

וְאָמַרְתָּ֖ אֶל־פַּרְעֹ֑ה כֹּ֚ה אָמַ֣ר ה׳ בְּנִ֥י בְכֹרִ֖י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃

And you shall say to Pharaoh: Thus says Hashem: Israel is My son, My firstborn.

Torah Temimah points to TT / Shabbos 31a (verified).

Core Text

בני בכורי ישראל — מלמד שישראל נקראו בנו בכורו של הקב״ה.

English: “My firstborn son Israel” — this teaches that Israel is called the firstborn son of the Holy One.

On the daf / in context: The designation is cited in several aggadic contexts as the unique filial status of the nation.

Custom

Chazal teach that Israel’s status as God’s firstborn is stated explicitly in this verse.