Exodus 7:13
Still Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he would not listen to them, as the LORD had said.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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While the verse states "Pharaoh's heart was hardened," many scholars note the Hebrew verb here literally means "was strong" or "became strong." This highlights that Pharaoh's resistance wasn't solely an external force acting upon him, but rather his own will becoming obstinately firm against God's message. The phrasing emphasizes a hardening that starts from within, becoming unyielding like an old scar.
After Moses and Aaron confronted Pharaoh with God's demand to release Israel, they performed a miracle: Aaron's staff turned into a serpent. Pharaoh's magicians mimicked this with their own enchantments, and though Aaron's serpent swallowed theirs, Pharaoh remained unconvinced and his heart grew stubborn. This event sets the stage for the escalating conflict, as Pharaoh's resistance is framed as a foregone conclusion by God Himself.
The Bible says God hardened Pharaoh's heart, but it also says Pharaoh hardened his own. How do we reconcile this? It's more complex than it seems.
This verse is a classic example of how the Bible describes God's sovereignty interacting with human free will. While the text states, 'Pharaoh's heart was hardened,' and 'he would not listen,' it's crucial to see the nuances in the original language and context.
Pharaoh saw miracles, yet his heart grew harder. Why didn't the signs break through his resistance?
The confrontation between Moses and Pharaoh wasn't just a display of power; it was a profound test. The miracle of the rods turning into serpents, even when imitated by the Egyptian magicians, served a specific purpose beyond mere spectacle.
Understand the original words
lēḇ · Hebrew Noun
The inner person, including the mind, will, and emotions; in the Exodus narrative, it signifies the site of moral decision-making where Pharaoh resisted the command of God.
ḥāzaq · Hebrew Verb
To become stubborn, resistant, or unresponsive; in a theological context, it describes the state of a person who persistently rejects God’s revelation and moral authority, leading to divine judgment.
YHWH · Hebrew Noun
The personal, covenantal name of God revealed to Israel; He who is self-existent, faithful, and the sovereign Lord of history.
The verse highlights a crucial moment where Pharaoh's continued defiance, even after a supernatural display, solidifies the divine prediction of his hardened heart, setting the stage for the escalating plagues.
c. 1446 BC
Moses Returns to Egypt
Moses, having fled Egypt years earlier, returns at God's command to confront Pharaoh and demand the release of the Israelites.
c. 1446 BC
First Confrontation and Demand
Moses and Aaron deliver God's message to Pharaoh: 'Let my people go.' Pharaoh, dismissive and arrogant, refuses and increases the burden on the Israelite slaves.
c. 1446 BC— this verse
Rod Becomes Serpent Miracle
As proof of their divine authority, Aaron's staff is turned into a serpent before Pharaoh. The Egyptian magicians perform a similar feat with their staffs, though Aaron's serpent swallows theirs.
c. 1446 BC
Pharaoh's Heart Remains Hardened
Despite witnessing the miraculous power displayed, Pharaoh's heart remains stubborn, and he refuses to heed Moses and Aaron's demand, just as the LORD had predicted.
This passage directly echoes the concept of God hardening hearts, explaining it as an exercise of His mercy and will, which aligns with the narrative of Pharaoh's resistance.
Deuteronomy 2:30This verse shows a parallel with Pharaoh's situation, describing how God hardened the spirit of Sihon, king of Heshbon, demonstrating that this was a recurring pattern in God's dealings with stubborn rulers.
John 12:40Quoting Isaiah, this verse explains how God 'blinded their eyes and hardened their heart,' providing a New Testament perspective on how persistent rejection can lead to spiritual hardening.
2 Thessalonians 2:11This passage describes how God sends a powerful delusion on those who reject the truth, offering insight into the divine process that can lead to an unyielding heart like Pharaoh's.
Proverbs 16:18This proverb directly links pride with a hardened heart, illustrating the internal disposition that often precedes or accompanies the divine hardening described in Exodus.
gillExodus 7:13: "And he hardened Pharaoh's heart, that he hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had said."
And he hardened Pharaoh's heart,.... Or, "notwithstanding the heart of Pharaoh was hardened" (a); though he saw the rods of his magicians devoured by rod; or "therefore" (b) his heart was hardened, because he saw that the rods of his magicians became serpents as well as Aaron's; in which there was a deception of sight, and which was suffered for the hardening of his heart, there being other wo…
clarkeExodus 7:13: "And he hardened Pharaoh's heart, that he hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had said."
And he hardened Pharaoh's heart - ויחזק לב פרעה vaiyechezak leb Paroh, "And the heart of Pharaoh was hardened," the identical words which in Exodus 7:22 are thus translated, and which should have been rendered in the same way here, lest the hardening, which was evidently the effect of his own obstinate shutting of his eyes against the truth, should be attributed to God. See Clarke's note on E…
While the verse states "Pharaoh's heart was hardened," many scholars note the Hebrew verb here literally means "was strong" or "became strong." This highlights that Pharaoh's resistance wasn't solely an external force acting upon him, but rather his own will becoming obstinately firm against God's message. The phrasing emphasizes a hardening that starts from within, becoming unyielding like an old scar.
After Moses and Aaron confronted Pharaoh with God's demand to release Israel, they performed a miracle: Aaron's staff turned into a serpent. Pharaoh's magicians mimicked this with their own enchantments, and though Aaron's serpent swallowed theirs, Pharaoh remained unconvinced and his heart grew stubborn. This event sets the stage for the escalating conflict, as Pharaoh's resistance is framed as a foregone conclusion by God Himself.
After Moses and Aaron confronted Pharaoh with God's demand to release Israel, they performed a miracle: Aaron's staff turned into a serpent. Pharaoh's magicians mimicked this with their own enchantments, and though Aaron's serpent swallowed theirs, Pharaoh remained unconvinced and his heart grew stubborn. This event sets the stage for the escalating conflict, as Pharaoh's resistance is framed as a foregone conclusion by God Himself.
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c. 1446 BC
Plagues Begin
Following Pharaoh's continued refusal, God begins to unleash a series of devastating plagues upon Egypt to demonstrate His power and compel Pharaoh's obedience.
"Still Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he would not listen to them, as the LORD had said." — While the verse states "Pharaoh's heart was hardened," many scholars note the Hebrew verb here literally means "was strong" or "became strong." This highlights that Pharaoh's resistance wasn't solely…
