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.

And I will harden {H2388} Pharaoh's {H6547} heart {H3820}, that he shall follow {H7291} after {H310} them; and I will be honoured {H3513} upon Pharaoh {H6547}, and upon all his host {H2428}; that the Egyptians {H4714} may know {H3045} that I am the LORD {H3068}. And they did {H6213} so.

I will make Pharaoh so hardhearted that he will pursue them; thus I will win glory for myself at the expense of Pharaoh and all his army, and the Egyptians will realize at last that I am ADONAI."The people did as ordered.

And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart so that he will pursue them. But I will gain honor by means of Pharaoh and all his army, and the Egyptians will know that I am the LORD.” So this is what the Israelites did.

And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and he shall follow after them; and I will get me honor upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host: and the Egyptians shall know that I am Jehovah. And they did so.

Commentary

Exodus 14:4 reveals God's explicit intention to harden Pharaoh's heart, not merely as a punitive act, but as a strategic move to display His ultimate power and glory. This verse foreshadows the dramatic events that will solidify God's reputation as the sovereign LORD.

Context

This verse immediately precedes the monumental parting of the Red Sea, serving as a divine explanation for Pharaoh's seemingly irrational decision to pursue the newly freed Israelites. Having already endured ten devastating plagues that compelled him to release God's people, Pharaoh's renewed obstinacy is here revealed as part of God's overarching plan to achieve ultimate victory and self-revelation. The Israelites had just left Egypt, and this hardening would ensure a final, decisive confrontation.

Key Themes

  • Divine Sovereignty: The declaration "I will harden Pharaoh's heart" underscores God's absolute control over human actions, even those of a powerful and defiant monarch. It demonstrates that God can use human resistance and evil to further His own righteous purposes, proving that no one can thwart His will.
  • God's Glory and Honor: The phrase "I will be honoured upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host" highlights God's primary objective: to magnify His name and display His supreme authority through the judgment of Egypt and the miraculous salvation of Israel. The impending destruction of Pharaoh's army at the Red Sea would serve as a powerful and undeniable testament to His power, as seen in Exodus 14:18.
  • Revelation of God's Identity: The ultimate goal is "that the Egyptians may know that I [am] the LORD." This refers to the personal covenant name of God, Yahweh (often translated LORD in KJV), signifying His eternal existence, faithfulness, and sovereign power. Through these mighty acts of judgment and deliverance, both Israel and Egypt (and indeed, all nations) would come to a deeper understanding of who God truly is.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word translated "harden" here is chazaq (חָזַק), which literally means to strengthen, make firm, or encourage. While it can imply making resistant or stubborn, its use in this context emphasizes God's active role in strengthening Pharaoh's resolve for His divine purpose. This is distinct from instances where Pharaoh is said to have hardened his own heart, though both aspects are present in the Exodus narrative, showing a complex interplay of divine decree and human responsibility.

Practical Application

This verse offers profound assurance that God is sovereign even over the most defiant hearts and seemingly insurmountable obstacles. He orchestrates events, sometimes through human resistance and evil, to ultimately bring about His glory and reveal His character. For believers, it provides comfort that God has a grand purpose in trials and opposition, and He will ultimately be glorified through them. It encourages unwavering trust in His ultimate plan and His ability to deliver, even when circumstances seem dire or opponents appear invincible. This divine control over opposition is a recurring theme throughout biblical history, as seen in Romans 9:17.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Romans 9:22

    [What] if God, willing to shew [his] wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction:

  • Romans 9:23

    And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,

  • Romans 9:17

    For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth.

  • Exodus 7:5

    And the Egyptians shall know that I [am] the LORD, when I stretch forth mine hand upon Egypt, and bring out the children of Israel from among them.

  • Exodus 7:3

    And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and multiply my signs and my wonders in the land of Egypt.

  • Ezekiel 28:22

    And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I [am] against thee, O Zidon; and I will be glorified in the midst of thee: and they shall know that I [am] the LORD, when I shall have executed judgments in her, and shall be sanctified in her.

  • Exodus 7:17

    Thus saith the LORD, In this thou shalt know that I [am] the LORD: behold, I will smite with the rod that [is] in mine hand upon the waters which [are] in the river, and they shall be turned to blood.