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.

And I, behold, I will harden {H2388} the hearts {H3820} of the Egyptians {H4714}, and they shall follow {H935} them {H310}: and I will get me honour {H3513} upon Pharaoh {H6547}, and upon all his host {H2428}, upon his chariots {H7393}, and upon his horsemen {H6571}.

As for me, I will make the Egyptians hardhearted; and they will march in after them; thus I will win glory for myself at the expense of Pharaoh and all his army, chariots and cavalry.

And I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians so that they will go in after them. Then I will gain honor by means of Pharaoh and all his army and chariots and horsemen.

And I, behold, I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, and they shall go in after them: and I will get me honor upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host, upon his chariots, and upon his horsemen.

Commentary

Exodus 14:17 stands at a pivotal moment in the biblical narrative of the Israelite exodus from Egypt, revealing God's absolute sovereignty and His strategic purpose in the face of Pharaoh's continued defiance. This verse immediately precedes the miraculous crossing of the Red Sea, a foundational event in Israel's history.

Context

After the devastating ten plagues, Pharaoh finally allowed the Israelites to leave Egypt. However, his heart quickly hardened again, prompting him to pursue the newly freed slaves with his formidable army, including a vast number of chariots and horsemen. The Israelites found themselves trapped between the pursuing Egyptians and the impassable Red Sea. At this critical juncture, God assures Moses of His plan, setting the stage for one of the most dramatic displays of divine power. This verse serves as a divine declaration of what is about to transpire, emphasizing God's control over both the Egyptians' actions and the ultimate outcome of the confrontation.

Key Themes

  • Divine Sovereignty: The declaration "I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians" underscores God's ultimate control over all events, even the will of His adversaries. This wasn't a new act but the culmination of a process seen throughout the plague narrative, where God either directly hardened Pharaoh's heart or allowed it to be hardened (e.g., Exodus 7:3). It highlights that Pharaoh's defiance, though his own choice, was encompassed within God's larger plan.
  • Divine Judgment: The Egyptians' pursuit, driven by their hardened hearts, leads them directly into God's judgment. Their chariots and horsemen, symbols of their military might, would be completely destroyed, signifying the total overthrow of Egyptian power and their false gods.
  • God's Honor and Glory: The primary purpose stated is "I will get me honour upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host." God's glory is magnified through His triumph over the most powerful empire of the time, demonstrating His unparalleled power and proving Himself as the true God, in stark contrast to the gods of Egypt. This display of power was not only for Israel but also for the nations to witness, as God had previously stated He raised up Pharaoh for this very reason (Exodus 9:16, referenced by Paul in Romans 9:17).

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word translated "harden" in this context is chazaq (Χ—ΦΈΧ–Φ·Χ§), which often means to be strong, firm, or courageous. While it can imply making someone stubborn or resistant, it also suggests God strengthening Pharaoh's resolve or confirming him in his existing defiance, leading him to his predetermined end. It highlights that Pharaoh's choices, though his own, were ultimately encompassed within God's sovereign plan to display His power and secure His honor.

Practical Application

Exodus 14:17 offers profound insights for believers today. It reminds us that God is sovereign over all circumstances, even over the resistance and opposition of those who defy Him. His plans will ultimately prevail, and His glory will be revealed. When facing seemingly insurmountable obstacles, like the Israelites trapped at the Red Sea, this verse assures us that God can use even the actions of our adversaries to accomplish His purposes and demonstrate His power. We can trust that He is working all things for His honor and for the good of His people, ultimately leading to our deliverance, just as He delivered Israel at the Red Sea.

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Cross-References

  • Exodus 14:8

    And the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he pursued after the children of Israel: and the children of Israel went out with an high hand.

  • Exodus 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.

  • Ezekiel 34:20

    Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD unto them; Behold, I, [even] I, will judge between the fat cattle and between the lean cattle.

  • Ezekiel 34:11

    For thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I, [even] I, will both search my sheep, and seek them out.

  • Deuteronomy 32:39

    ΒΆ See now that I, [even] I, [am] he, and [there is] no god with me: I kill, and I make alive; I wound, and I heal: neither [is there any] that can deliver out of my hand.

  • Isaiah 48:15

    I, [even] I, have spoken; yea, I have called him: I have brought him, and he shall make his way prosperous.

  • Ezekiel 6:3

    And say, Ye mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Lord GOD; Thus saith the Lord GOD to the mountains, and to the hills, to the rivers, and to the valleys; Behold, I, [even] I, will bring a sword upon you, and I will destroy your high places.