And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and he will pursue them, and I will get glory over Pharaoh and all his host, and the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD.” And they did so.
English Standard Version (ESV)
What's easy to miss is that God's hardening of Pharaoh's heart isn't just about making him stubborn; it's about making him "strong" in his pursuit, ensuring he and his army will be utterly defeated. This isn't just about Pharaoh's will, but about God orchestrating events to display His power and receive glory through their destruction, so the Egyptians would truly know who He is.
And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and he will pursue them, and I will get glory over Pharaoh and all his host, and the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD.” And they did so.
English Standard Version (ESV)
After God miraculously leads the Israelites out of Egypt, Pharaoh has a change of heart and regrets letting them go, deciding to pursue them. God declares that He will further harden Pharaoh's heart, not to force him, but to allow his own stubbornness to lead him into a trap. This divine plan is designed to bring glory to God by demonstrating His power over Pharaoh and the Egyptian army, ensuring that both Egyptians and Israelites would recognize Him as the Lord.
The Israelites are trapped, Pharaoh is furious, but God has a plan unfolding. What's really driving this dramatic chase?
Pharaoh's decision to pursue Israel isn't just his own foolishness; it's part of God's deliberate plan. The text says, 'And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and he will pursue them.'
God's Sovereignty
This 'hardening' isn't God making someone do something against their will. Pharaoh had already shown his stubbornness multiple times. God is allowing Pharaoh's already-present resistance to reach its full, destructive potential. It's like a dam bursting – the water was always there, but the dam's failure unleashes it.
Purpose in Pursuit
Pharaoh's pursuit isn't random. It's a targeted move by God to bring about His glory. 'I will get glory over Pharaoh and all his host.' This means God will be revealed as supremely powerful and just through Pharaoh's downfall. The defeat of Egypt's mighty army would be a stark testament to the power of the God they had mocked.
What does it mean for people to 'know the LORD'? This verse reveals it's not just about information, but about experiencing God's power firsthand.
The ultimate goal of this dramatic confrontation at the Red Sea is for people to know who God is. The verse states, 'and the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD.'
More Than Knowledge
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This 'knowing' isn't simply intellectual assent. It's a profound recognition that comes from experiencing God's actions directly. The Egyptians will 'know' the LORD not through abstract theology, but through the devastating demonstration of His power and justice as He destroys their army.
Divine Revelation
God is using this event as a powerful revelation of His identity. He's not just a tribal deity; He is 'the LORD' – the sovereign, all-powerful God. This knowledge will spread beyond the Israelites, impacting the very nation that enslaved them. It's a divine spotlight on His might, a truth etched in the sands of the Red Sea.
Understand the original words
chazaq · Hebrew Verb
In this context, referring to the heavy, stubborn, or insensitive state of the heart. It signifies a refusal to respond to God's revelation, resulting in divine judicial hardening as the sinner persists in rebellion.
kabod · Hebrew Noun
The manifestation of God's weight, splendor, and significance. Biblically, God acts in history to reveal His supreme nature and power so that His character is recognized and revered by all nations.
chayil · Hebrew Noun
Referring to an army or a great company of soldiers. It represents the military might of earthly powers when arrayed against the purposes of God.
radaph · Hebrew Verb
To follow or hunt after someone, often with malicious intent. In Scripture, it frequently denotes the attempt of the wicked to destroy the righteous or stop the work of God.
This pivotal moment reveals God's power to deliver His people, even when their situation seems utterly hopeless, and His determination to bring glory to Himself by confronting and defeating oppressive forces.
c. 1446 BC
Israelites Depart Egypt
After enduring years of slavery and experiencing God's mighty plagues, the Israelites leave Egypt, led by Moses.
c. 1446 BC— this verse
Pharaoh Pursues Israelites
Pharaoh, regretting his decision to let Israel go, mobilizes his army to pursue them, intending to force them back into slavery.
c. 1446 BC
Israelites Trapped at Red Sea
The Israelites find themselves trapped between the pursuing Egyptian army and the impassable Red Sea, leading to panic.
c. 1446 BC
God Parts the Red Sea
God intervenes miraculously, parting the Red Sea to create a dry path for the Israelites to escape.
c. 1446 BC
Egyptians Destroyed in the Sea
As the Israelites cross, the waters return, drowning Pharaoh's army and chariots, securing Israel's freedom.
This passage recalls God's deliverance of Israel from Egypt and the eventual destruction of the Egyptians, echoing the theme of God's glory displayed through their defeat.
Ezekiel 39:13Here, God's judgment on Gog is described as a means by which He will be glorified, similar to how God intended to be glorified through the destruction of Pharaoh's army.
Psalm 106:10-11This Psalm reflects on Israel's deliverance at the Red Sea, specifically mentioning that God saved them for His name's sake, so that He might make known His mighty power.
Romans 9:17-18Paul quotes Exodus to show God's sovereign power, stating that God hardens whom He wills and shows mercy on whom He wills, highlighting God's ultimate purpose in Pharaoh's hardened heart.
Isaiah 63:11-14This passage looks back at the Exodus, emphasizing God leading His people through the sea with His powerful arm, aligning with the miraculous power displayed in Exodus 14.
cambridgeExodus 14:4: "And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, that he shall follow after them; and I will be honoured upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host; that the Egyptians may know that I am the LORD. And they did so."
4 . harden ] lit. make strong or firm : P’s regular word (on Exodus 7:13 ). follow ] better, pursue , as vv. 8, 9, 23. get me honour (or glory )] viz. by Pharaoh’s overthrow: cf. especially Ezekiel 28:22 ; Ezekiel 39:13 (EVV. ‘will be glorified’). So vv. 17, 18. and the Egyptians shall know…
gillExodus 14:4: "And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, that he shall follow after them; and I will be honoured upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host; that the Egyptians may know that I am the LORD. And they did so."
And I will harden Pharaoh's heart,.... Once more, as he had often done: that he shall follow after them: to Pihahiroth, and even into the sea after them: and I will be honoured upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host; in his wisdom, faithfulness, power, and justice, by the destruction of them:…
What's easy to miss is that God's hardening of Pharaoh's heart isn't just about making him stubborn; it's about making him "strong" in his pursuit, ensuring he and his army will be utterly defeated. This isn't just about Pharaoh's will, but about God orchestrating events to display His power and receive glory through their destruction, so the Egyptians would truly know who He is.
After God miraculously leads the Israelites out of Egypt, Pharaoh has a change of heart and regrets letting them go, deciding to pursue them. God declares that He will further harden Pharaoh's heart, not to force him, but to allow his own stubbornness to lead him into a trap. This divine plan is designed to bring glory to God by demonstrating His power over Pharaoh and the Egyptian army, ensuring that both Egyptians and Israelites would recognize Him as the Lord.
After God miraculously leads the Israelites out of Egypt, Pharaoh has a change of heart and regrets letting them go, deciding to pursue them. God declares that He will further harden Pharaoh's heart, not to force him, but to allow his own stubbornness to lead him into a trap. This divine plan is designed to bring glory to God by demonstrating His power over Pharaoh and the Egyptian army, ensuring that both Egyptians and Israelites would recognize Him as the Lord.
"And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and he will pursue them, and I will get glory over Pharaoh and all his host, and the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD.” And they did so." — What's easy to miss is that God's hardening of Pharaoh's heart isn't just about making him stubborn; it's about making him "strong" in his pursuit, ensuring he and his army will be utterly defeated.…
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Last reviewed October 2026