When chlorobenzene ($\ce{C6H5Cl}$) reacts with aqueous ($\ce{NaOH}$) solution it first forms sodium phenoxide ($\ce{C6H5ONa}$), and then phenol upon reacting with $\ce{H+}$.
But my question is, why can't $\ce{Na}$ directly replace $\ce{Cl}$ from chlorobenzene by breaking $\ce{Na-O}$ bond instead of breaking $\ce{O-H}$ bond?