אִלְמָלֵא מִקְרָא כָּתוּב אִי אֶפְשָׁר לְאוֹמְרוֹ

ביטוי (אנגלית)

If the verse were not written, it would be impossible to say it

הגדרה (אנגלית)

If these words were not explicitly written in Scripture, we would not be able to say such things on our own authority. An expression emphasizing the difficult or problematic meaning of what is written.

("And the LORD passed before him and proclaimed (Exodus 34:6) – Rabbi Yohanan said: If the verse were not written, it would be impossible to say it; it teaches that the Holy One, blessed be He, wrapped Himself like a prayer leader and showed Moses the order of prayer. He said to him: Whenever Israel sins, let them perform before Me this order, and I will forgive them" – Rosh Hashanah 17b; and also: "Rabbi Abbahu said: As it is written (Deuteronomy 5): 'But as for you, stand here by Me' – and Rabbi Abbahu said: If the verse were not written, it would be impossible to say it; as if even the Holy One, blessed be He, stood" – Megillah 21a)