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5 [1] THEN MOSES AND AARON FELL ON THEIR FACES. The reason for this was that they saw that the people were about to decide to appoint a leader and return [to Egypt] immediately; so the righteous ones [Moses and Aaron] arose and prostrated themselves with their faces on the ground saying to them, *‘I pray you, my brethren, do not so wickedly,’* *and let this be no stumbling-block unto you*. Therefore it says [that they fell on their faces] *before all the congregation of the children of Israel*, for it was for their sake that they prostrated themselves on their faces [imploring them to abandon their plan to return to Egypt]. Similarly, *and he* [David] *fell on his face to the ground and bowed down three times* [before Jonathan, is an expression of conciliation and supplication]. And the meaning of the word *liphnei* [“before” — *‘before’ all the assembly* is like *lahem* [“for them” — to implore them, for their good, to renounce their plan of returning to Egypt]. Similarly, *And his brethren also went and fell down ‘l’phanav* (*‘before’ him*) [also means “to” him — Joseph — to beg him for forgiveness]. There are many examples of this usage.
Version: Commentary on the Torah by Ramban (Nachmanides). Translated and annotated by Charles B. Chavel. New York, Shilo Pub. House, 1971-1976
Source: https://www.nli.org.il/he/books/NNL_ALEPH002108945/NLI
License: CC-BY