Exodus 7:13

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

And he hardened {H2388} Pharaoh's {H6547} heart {H3820}, that he hearkened {H8085} not unto them; as the LORD {H3068} had said {H1696}.

Nevertheless, Pharaoh was made hardhearted; and he didn't listen to them, as ADONAI had said would happen.

Still, Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he would not listen to them, just as the LORD had said.

And Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he hearkened not unto them; as Jehovah had spoken.

Commentary

Exodus 7:13 marks a pivotal moment in the narrative of the plagues of Egypt, explicitly stating God's direct action in hardening Pharaoh's heart. This verse immediately follows Moses and Aaron's initial demonstration before Pharaoh, where Aaron's rod turned into a serpent, and Pharaoh's magicians attempted to replicate it.

Context

This verse is crucial for understanding the escalating conflict between the God of Israel and Pharaoh, the ruler of Egypt. Moses and Aaron had just performed the sign of the staff turning into a serpent (Exodus 7:10), a powerful display of divine authority. However, Pharaoh's magicians were able to mimic this feat, albeit with their serpents being swallowed by Aaron's. Despite this, Pharaoh remained unmoved. The KJV text states, "And he hardened Pharaoh's heart," referring to the LORD, confirming the earlier prophecy given to Moses that God would indeed harden Pharaoh's heart so he would not let the Israelites go.

Key Themes

  • Divine Sovereignty: The verse unequivocally states that "he hardened Pharaoh's heart," attributing this action directly to God. This highlights God's ultimate control over human will and historical events, even in resistance to His commands. It's part of a larger divine plan to demonstrate God's power and bring glory to His name through the judgment of Egypt.
  • Fulfillment of Prophecy: The phrase "as the LORD had said" emphasizes the precise execution of God's foretold plan. From the beginning, God had informed Moses that Pharaoh would be obstinate, and this hardening was a necessary step in the unfolding drama of the Exodus.
  • Pharaoh's Stubbornness: While God is said to harden Pharaoh's heart here, the biblical narrative also shows Pharaoh hardening his own heart in earlier and later instances (e.g., Exodus 8:15, Exodus 8:32, Exodus 9:34). This presents a complex theological interplay between divine action and human responsibility, where God allows and intensifies an existing rebellion to achieve His purposes.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word translated "hardened" in this context is often chazaq (חזק), which can mean to strengthen, make firm, or encourage. When applied to the heart, it implies making it resolute or stubborn. Other Hebrew verbs like kabad (כבד - to make heavy or dull) and qashah (קשה - to make difficult or stiff) are also used in the Exodus narrative for Pharaoh's heart. The use of chazaq here suggests that God is not creating resistance from scratch, but rather strengthening Pharaoh's existing resolve and defiance against the divine command to "Let my people go."

Practical Application

This verse reminds us of God's absolute sovereignty over all creation and events. Even human resistance and evil are ultimately subject to His overarching plan, serving His purposes, though not excusing human responsibility. It teaches us that God's patience has limits, and persistent rejection of His truth can lead to a state where the heart becomes increasingly resistant to His call. For believers, it's a powerful reminder to always remain responsive to God's voice and to trust in His perfect timing and plan, knowing that He is working all things for His glory and the good of His people, as seen in the broader scope of scripture.

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Cross-References

  • Exodus 4:21 (6 votes)

    And the LORD said unto Moses, When thou goest to return into Egypt, see that thou do all those wonders before Pharaoh, which I have put in thine hand: but I will harden his heart, that he shall not let the people go.

  • Exodus 8:15 (5 votes)

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

  • Zechariah 7:11 (4 votes)

    But they refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their ears, that they should not hear.

  • Zechariah 7:12 (4 votes)

    Yea, they made their hearts [as] an adamant stone, lest they should hear the law, and the words which the LORD of hosts hath sent in his spirit by the former prophets: therefore came a great wrath from the LORD of hosts.

  • Hebrews 3:13 (3 votes)

    But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

  • Exodus 10:20 (3 votes)

    But the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart, so that he would not let the children of Israel go.

  • Romans 1:28 (3 votes)

    And even as they did not like to retain God in [their] knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;