1 Samuel 6:6

Wherefore then do ye harden your hearts, as the Egyptians and Pharaoh hardened their hearts? when he had wrought wonderfully among them, did they not let the people go, and they departed?

Wherefore then do ye harden {H3513} your hearts {H3824}, as the Egyptians {H4714} and Pharaoh {H6547} hardened {H3513} their hearts {H3820}? when he had wrought wonderfully {H5953} among them, did they not let the people go {H7971}, and they departed {H3212}?

Why be obstinate like the Egyptians and Pharaoh were? When he had done his work among them, didn't they let the people go? - and they left.

Why harden your hearts as the Egyptians and Pharaoh hardened theirs? When He afflicted them, did they not send the people on their way as they departed?

Wherefore then do ye harden your hearts, as the Egyptians and Pharaoh hardened their hearts? When he had wrought wonderfully among them, did they not let the people go, and they departed?

Commentary

Context

This verse comes from a pivotal moment in the history of the Ark of the Covenant. After the Philistines captured the Ark from Israel (1 Samuel 4:11), it brought a series of severe plagues and judgments upon their cities (1 Samuel 5:6). The Philistine lords and priests, desperate to stop the divine affliction, are advising the people on how to return the Ark to Israel. Here, they draw a direct parallel between the Philistines' current predicament and the historical stubbornness of Pharaoh and the Egyptians during the Exodus. They are essentially warning their own people not to resist God's clear signs, as Pharaoh did, lest they suffer even greater consequences.

Key Themes

  • The Danger of a Hardened Heart: The central warning is against a hardened heart – a refusal to acknowledge God's power and yield to His will, despite overwhelming evidence. Just as Pharaoh stubbornly resisted God's commands, leading to his nation's devastation, the Philistines are cautioned against similar defiance. This theme resonates throughout Scripture, highlighting the spiritual peril of persistent rebellion (Hebrews 3:8).
  • Divine Intervention and Power: The phrase "when he had wrought wonderfully among them" refers to the miraculous and devastating plagues God inflicted upon Egypt. These were undeniable demonstrations of God's supreme power, designed to compel Pharaoh to release Israel. The Philistines recognize that the plagues they are experiencing are similar "wonderful works" of God, demanding their attention and obedience.
  • Learning from History: The Philistine priests and diviners wisely advise their people to learn from the tragic mistakes of the past. Pharaoh's ultimate capitulation came only after immense suffering and the loss of his firstborn, a stark lesson in the futility of resisting the Almighty. This serves as a timeless principle: understanding historical consequences can guide present decisions and avert future disaster.
  • Consequences of Resistance: The implied message is clear: if the Philistines continue to resist God's clear signs by holding onto the Ark, they will face escalating judgment, just as the Egyptians did. God's patience has limits, and His justice will prevail.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "harden your hearts" translates from the Hebrew root Χ›Χ‘Χ“ (kaved), which literally means "to be heavy" or "to be weighty." In this context, it signifies a stubbornness or obstinacy that makes the heart unresponsive and insensitive to divine commands or warnings. It implies a deliberate choice to resist, even when faced with compelling evidence of God's power and will.

Practical Application

This verse serves as a powerful reminder for all generations. Are we attentive to the signs God provides in our lives and in the world around us? Do we recognize His working, even when it comes through challenging circumstances? Like the Philistines, we are called to learn from the lessons of history and to avoid the pitfall of a hardened heart. Stubbornness and defiance against God's known will only lead to greater hardship. Instead, a responsive and humble heart, willing to acknowledge and obey God's leading, is the path to peace and blessing. It encourages us to surrender to divine authority and to act promptly on spiritual conviction rather than resisting or delaying.

Note: Commentary was generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please remember that only the commentary section is AI-generated. The main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are sourced from trusted and verified materials.

Cross-References

  • Exodus 8:15

    But when Pharaoh saw that there was respite, he hardened his heart, and hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had said.

  • Exodus 7:13

    And he hardened Pharaoh's heart, that he hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had said.

  • Exodus 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.

  • Exodus 9:34

    And when Pharaoh saw that the rain and the hail and the thunders were ceased, he sinned yet more, and hardened his heart, he and his servants.

  • Exodus 15:14

    The people shall hear, [and] be afraid: sorrow shall take hold on the inhabitants of Palestina.

  • Exodus 15:16

    Fear and dread shall fall upon them; by the greatness of thine arm they shall be [as] still as a stone; till thy people pass over, O LORD, till the people pass over, which thou hast purchased.

  • Exodus 9:16

    And in very deed for this [cause] have I raised thee up, for to shew [in] thee my power; and that my name may be declared throughout all the earth.
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