But when Pharaoh saw that there was a respite, he hardened his heart and would not listen to them, as the LORD had said.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The most striking thing here is that Pharaoh didn't just "harden his heart" in response to a problem; he did it specifically because the problem was removed. The "respite," or breathing space, was precisely what allowed his own will to reassert itself and shut out God's message.
But when Pharaoh saw that there was a respite, he hardened his heart and would not listen to them, as the LORD had said.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Pharaoh, desperate from the plague of frogs, finally calls for Moses and Aaron, promising to let the Israelites go if the frogs are removed. Moses agrees to a specific time for the removal, after which the frogs miraculously die, leaving piles of decaying carcasses. However, as soon as Pharaoh sees the relief and the land is no longer covered in frogs, he immediately reneges on his promise and refuses to listen, just as God had predicted.
Pharaoh begged Moses to stop the plague of frogs, even promising to let the Israelites go. But as soon as the frogs were gone, his promise vanished too.
The text highlights a critical pattern in Pharaoh's response: a temporary 'respite' or 'breathing space' from the plague directly led to him hardening his heart.
The verse concludes with a crucial phrase: 'as the LORD had said.' How does this impact our understanding of Pharaoh's choices?
The phrase 'as the LORD had said' is profoundly significant. It’s not just a historical note; it reveals God’s sovereign plan unfolding through Pharaoh’s stubbornness.
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Understand the original words
kabad · Hebrew Verb
The state of being obstinate, stubborn, or insensitive to divine authority; in this context, it refers to Pharaoh's volitional refusal to yield to God's command despite clear evidence of God's power.
revachah · Hebrew Noun
A period of relief or ease from hardship or pressure; it signifies a temporary suspension of divine judgment, which, in the case of the unrepentant, often leads to further rebellion.
This verse highlights a pattern of Pharaoh's deceit. He only seeks relief from God when under duress, promising freedom but retracting it once the pressure is off, a stark example of a hardened heart refusing God's clear signs.
c. 13th century BC
The Israelite Exodus from Egypt
The story of the Exodus, including the plagues, is traditionally set in this period, involving the liberation of the Israelites from slavery under the Pharaohs.
During the Plagues of Egypt
First Plague: Water to Blood
God sends the first plague, turning the Nile and all water into blood, demonstrating His power over Egyptian gods and a sign of what is to come.
During the Plagues of Egypt
Second Plague: Frogs Infest Egypt
The second plague brings frogs from the Nile that infest the land and homes of Egypt, a distressing plague that prompts Pharaoh to briefly relent.
During the Plagues of Egypt— this verse
Pharaoh Promises to Let Israelites Go
After the plague of frogs, Pharaoh sees a respite and promises Moses and Aaron he will let the Israelites go to worship the LORD.
During the Plagues of Egypt
Pharaoh's Heart Hardens
As soon as the frogs are removed, Pharaoh reneges on his promise, hardening his heart and refusing to let the people go, just as the LORD had predicted.
During the Plagues of Egypt
Subsequent Plagues
Following Pharaoh's continued defiance, God sends further plagues upon Egypt, including gnats, flies, livestock pestilence, boils, hail, locusts, and darkness.
This Psalm describes a similar pattern of people crying out to God in distress but returning to sin when the hardship is removed, mirroring Pharaoh's temporary repentance and subsequent relapse.
Romans 2:4-5This passage speaks about how God's kindness is meant to lead people to repentance, and warns against despising that kindness by continuing in sin, which is exactly what Pharaoh did by hardening his heart.
John 12:42-43This New Testament passage describes some rulers who believed in Jesus but did not confess Him for fear of being expelled from the synagogue, showing how fear of man can lead to a hardening of the heart, similar to Pharaoh's situation.
Proverbs 28:14This proverb states that the person who is always trembling (fearful or anxious) but hardens his heart will suddenly fall into ruin, which is a fitting description of Pharaoh's persistent defiance despite God's warnings.
calvinExodus 8:8-15: "Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron, and said, Intreat the LORD, that he may take away the frogs from me, and from my people; and I will let the people go, that they may do sacrifice unto the LORD."
Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron, and said, Entreat the Lord, that he may take away the frogs from me, and from my people; and I will let the people go, that they may do sacrifice unto the Lord.
Tunc vocavit Pharao Mosen et Aharon, ac dixit, Precamini Jehovam ut auf…
gillExodus 8:15: "But when Pharaoh saw that there was respite, he hardened his heart, and hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had said."
But when Pharaoh saw that there was respite,.... From his affliction, as the Targum of Jonathan adds; the plague was removed, and he found himself and his people at ease: or there was a "breathing" (c); before he and his people were so oppressed, that they could scarce breathe, but now being delivered from the judgment on them with which they were straitened, wer…
The most striking thing here is that Pharaoh didn't just "harden his heart" in response to a problem; he did it specifically because the problem was removed. The "respite," or breathing space, was precisely what allowed his own will to reassert itself and shut out God's message.
Pharaoh, desperate from the plague of frogs, finally calls for Moses and Aaron, promising to let the Israelites go if the frogs are removed. Moses agrees to a specific time for the removal, after which the frogs miraculously die, leaving piles of decaying carcasses. However, as soon as Pharaoh sees the relief and the land is no longer covered in frogs, he immediately reneges on his promise and refuses to listen, just as God had predicted.
Pharaoh, desperate from the plague of frogs, finally calls for Moses and Aaron, promising to let the Israelites go if the frogs are removed. Moses agrees to a specific time for the removal, after which the frogs miraculously die, leaving piles of decaying carcasses. However, as soon as Pharaoh sees the relief and the land is no longer covered in frogs, he immediately reneges on his promise and refuses to listen, just as God had predicted.
"But when Pharaoh saw that there was a respite, he hardened his heart and would not listen to them, as the LORD had said." — The most striking thing here is that Pharaoh didn't just "harden his heart" in response to a problem; he did it specifically because the problem was removed. The "respite," or breathing space, was…
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Last reviewed October 2026