Exodus 14:17-18
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God declares He will harden the Egyptians' hearts not just to pursue Israel, but specifically so they will drive into the sea. This isn't just about passive stubbornness; it's an active, vengeful pursuit fueled by divine judgment, ensuring Pharaoh's entire force faces utter destruction as a consequence of their past cruelties.
And I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians so that they shall go in after them, and I will get glory over Pharaoh and all his host, his chariots, and his horsemen. And the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I have gotten glory over Pharaoh, his chariots, and his horsemen.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
The Israelites are trapped between the Red Sea and the approaching Egyptian army, creating a moment of intense panic for them. In response, God declares His intention to further harden the Egyptians' hearts, driving them into a furious pursuit, so that He can bring His decisive judgment upon Pharaoh, his army, and his chariots, demonstrating His ultimate power. This will be a climactic moment, revealing God's glory through the destruction of their oppressors.
The text says God will 'get glory' through the destruction of the Egyptians. How can glory be found in such a devastating event?
This verse reveals a profound truth about God's character and His ultimate purposes.
A Divine Display
When God says He will 'get glory,' it means He will reveal His power, justice, and sovereignty to the highest degree. The utter destruction of Pharaoh's mighty army, chariots, and horsemen wasn't just an accident; it was a divine demonstration. It showed everyone – Israelites, Egyptians, and future generations – that Yahweh alone is God.
Justice and Retribution
This wasn't arbitrary cruelty. The commentaries highlight that this judgment was a just retaliation for Egypt's oppression and cruelty, especially the drowning of Israelite infants. God's glory is also seen in His perfect justice, bringing deserved consequences for sin and rebellion.
Revealing His Power
By orchestrating this event, God revealed His absolute power over nature, over armies, and over the proudest human rulers. He turned the very means of Egypt's power – its chariots and horses – into instruments of its destruction, showcasing His supreme authority.
The text states God will 'harden the hearts of the Egyptians.' What does this mean for human responsibility?
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The concept of God 'hardening' hearts is complex and requires careful attention.
God's Sovereign Action
In this context, God's hardening is presented as a sovereign action that ensures Pharaoh and his army will pursue Israel into the sea. It's not presented as God creating evil or forcing them against their will, but rather, He permits or overrules events and conditions that lead to their existing desires for vengeance and recovery of slaves to be overwhelmingly focused, blinding them to the danger.
Human Will and Responsibility
The commentaries suggest that the Egyptians' hearts were already filled with wrath, malice, and a desire for revenge. Pharaoh had repeatedly shown stubbornness and pride against God's commands. God's 'hardening' works with and through their existing sinful disposition. It's a divine permission or culmination of their own willful rebellion, ensuring they are so consumed by their lust for power and retribution that they become utterly reckless.
A Tool of Judgment
This hardening serves as a means of judgment. By allowing their hearts to be hardened, God ensures they walk into the trap He has set, bringing about their well-deserved destruction. It highlights that God can use even the most stubborn and rebellious hearts to accomplish His purposes.
Understand the original words
chazaq · Hebrew Verb
The technical term for 'making heavy' or 'strengthening'; in a theological sense, it refers to God allowing a person's pre-existing stubbornness or resistance to His will to reach its full, hardened state, often to demonstrate His sovereignty.
kabod · Hebrew Noun
Derived from the Hebrew 'kabod', referring to the weight, significance, or manifestation of God’s essential nature, character, and power revealed in historical events, specifically to display His majesty to the world.
Yahweh · Hebrew Proper Noun
The covenant name of the God of Israel (YHWH), representing His eternal, self-existent, and immutable nature; He is the One who enters into a personal, redemptive relationship with His people.
This event is a pivotal moment where God demonstrates His ultimate power over Pharaoh and the might of Egypt, securing His people's freedom and establishing His glory.
c. 1446 BC
Exodus from Egypt
The Israelites, after centuries of enslavement in Egypt, are miraculously led out of the land by Moses, prompted by the Ten Plagues and divine intervention.
c. 1446 BC— this verse
Pharaoh Pursues Israelites
Despite the devastating plagues, Pharaoh's heart is hardened, and he mobilishes his army, including chariots and horsemen, to recapture the fleeing Israelites.
c. 1446 BC
Crossing the Red Sea
As the Israelites reach the Red Sea, God parts the waters, allowing them to cross on dry ground, while a pillar of cloud and fire shields them from the Egyptians.
c. 1446 BC
Destruction of the Egyptian Army
When the Egyptians pursue the Israelites into the parted sea, God closes the waters, drowning Pharaoh, his army, his chariots, and his horsemen, demonstrating His power and securing Israel's deliverance.
This passage directly alludes to God's powerful intervention at the Red Sea, highlighting how He brought the Egyptians into trouble to demonstrate His might to the Israelites.
Psalm 106:11This psalm recalls the Red Sea event, emphasizing that the waters covered the Egyptians, and none of them were left, reinforcing the idea of God's glory being displayed through their destruction.
Psalm 136:15This verse specifically mentions God overthrowing Pharaoh and his host in the Red Sea, directly mirroring the outcome described in Exodus 14:17 where God gets glory over them.
Romans 9:17Paul quotes Exodus 9:16 ('For this very purpose I have raised you up...') in relation to Pharaoh, explaining that God raises up individuals for His purposes, even if it means demonstrating His power through their judgment.
cambridgeExodus 14:17: "And I, behold, I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, and they shall follow them: and I will get me honour upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host, upon his chariots, and upon his horsemen."
17, 18 . The Pharaoh’s heart is still further ‘hardened,’ in order that he may be emboldened even to enter the sea after the Israelites. The expressions are substantially as in v. 4. get me honour (or glory )] See on v. 4.
gillExodus 14:17: "And I, behold, I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, and they shall follow them: and I will get me honour upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host, upon his chariots, and upon his horsemen."
And I, behold, I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians,.... That they shall have no sense of danger, and be fearless of it, incautious and thoughtless, hurried on with wrath and fury, malice and revenge: and they shall follow them; the Israelites into the sea, supposing it to be as safe for…
God declares He will harden the Egyptians' hearts not just to pursue Israel, but specifically so they will drive into the sea. This isn't just about passive stubbornness; it's an active, vengeful pursuit fueled by divine judgment, ensuring Pharaoh's entire force faces utter destruction as a consequence of their past cruelties.
The Israelites are trapped between the Red Sea and the approaching Egyptian army, creating a moment of intense panic for them. In response, God declares His intention to further harden the Egyptians' hearts, driving them into a furious pursuit, so that He can bring His decisive judgment upon Pharaoh, his army, and his chariots, demonstrating His ultimate power. This will be a climactic moment, revealing God's glory through the destruction of their oppressors.
The Israelites are trapped between the Red Sea and the approaching Egyptian army, creating a moment of intense panic for them. In response, God declares His intention to further harden the Egyptians' hearts, driving them into a furious pursuit, so that He can bring His decisive judgment upon Pharaoh, his army, and his chariots, demonstrating His ultimate power. This will be a climactic moment, revealing God's glory through the destruction of their oppressors.
"And I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians so that they shall go in after them, and I will get glory over Pharaoh and all his host, his chariots, and his horsemen. And the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I have gotten glor…" — God declares He will harden the Egyptians' hearts not just to pursue Israel, but specifically so they will drive into the sea. This isn't just about passive stubbornness; it's an active, vengeful pur…
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Last reviewed October 2026
