Exodus 7:22

And the magicians of Egypt did so with their enchantments: and Pharaoh's heart was hardened, neither did he hearken unto them; as the LORD had said.

And the magicians {H2748} of Egypt {H4714} did {H6213} so with their enchantments {H3909}: and Pharaoh's {H6547} heart {H3820} was hardened {H2388}, neither did he hearken {H8085} unto them; as the LORD {H3068} had said {H1696}.

But the magicians of Egypt did the same with their secret arts, so that Pharaoh was made hardhearted and didn't listen to them, as ADONAI had said would happen.

But the magicians of Egypt did the same things by their magic arts. So Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he would not listen to Moses and Aaron, just as the LORD had said.

And the magicians of Egypt did in like manner with their enchantments: and Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he hearkened not unto them; as Jehovah had spoken.

Commentary

Exodus 7:22 describes the immediate aftermath of the first plague, where Aaron, at God's command, turned the waters of Egypt into blood. This verse highlights the response of Pharaoh's court and the ongoing hardening of Pharaoh's heart, crucial elements in the narrative of the Exodus.

Context

Following the miraculous transformation of the Nile River into blood, a sign meant to demonstrate the power of the God of Israel over the Egyptian deities, Pharaoh's own magicians attempted to replicate the feat. This act by the magicians, though on a much smaller scale and likely through deceptive means or pre-existing blood, served to diminish the impact of God's miracle in Pharaoh's eyes. This scene is part of the escalating divine judgment against Egypt, where God systematically demonstrates His supremacy over all false gods and human resistance. The phrase "as the LORD had said" directly references earlier prophecies about Pharaoh's stubbornness, such as in Exodus 4:21 and Exodus 7:3.

Key Themes

  • Divine Sovereignty vs. Human Resistance: Despite the impressive, albeit limited, abilities of the Egyptian magicians, God's ultimate plan for Israel's liberation remained unstoppable. Pharaoh's continued defiance, even in the face of supernatural signs, underscores the theme of a hardened heart against divine will.
  • The Limits of Occult Power: The magicians could imitate, but they could not reverse the plague or truly challenge God's power. Their "enchantments" were merely a shadow compared to the overwhelming might of the Creator. This illustrates the futility of human wisdom or demonic power when pitted against God.
  • Prophetic Fulfillment: The repeated phrase "as the LORD had said" emphasizes God's foreknowledge and the certainty of His word. From the very beginning, God declared that Pharaoh would be obstinate, and this verse confirms that prophecy, showing God's control over historical events.

Linguistic Insights

The term "magicians" comes from the Hebrew word chartummim (חַרְטֻמִּים), referring to a class of Egyptian wise men, scribes, or priests who practiced secret arts, divination, and interpretations of omens. Their "enchantments" (Hebrew: lāṭîm, לָטִים) suggests hidden, secret, or whispered spells, often implying illusion or trickery rather than genuine creative power. The word "hardened" (Hebrew: chazaq, חָזַק) signifies to be strong, firm, or resolute. Here, it depicts Pharaoh's obstinate and unyielding nature, a stubbornness that would lead to further divine judgment.

Practical Application

Exodus 7:22 serves as a powerful reminder of God's unwavering sovereignty. Even when faced with opposition or deceptive imitations of truth, God's purposes will prevail. It encourages believers to trust in God's ultimate control, knowing that no human stubbornness or worldly power can thwart His divine plan. Furthermore, it warns against spiritual deception and highlights the importance of discerning genuine divine power from mere imitations or occult practices. Just as Pharaoh's heart was hardened by his refusal to acknowledge God, so too can individuals become resistant to truth, leading to profound consequences. Understanding this verse helps us recognize that God's word is always true, and His promises, whether of judgment or deliverance, will inevitably come to pass.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

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

  • Exodus 7:11

    Then Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers: now the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their enchantments.

  • 2 Timothy 3:8

    Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.

  • Jeremiah 27:18

    But if they [be] prophets, and if the word of the LORD be with them, let them now make intercession to the LORD of hosts, that the vessels which are left in the house of the LORD, and [in] the house of the king of Judah, and at Jerusalem, go not to Babylon.

  • Exodus 8:7

    And the magicians did so with their enchantments, and brought up frogs upon the land of Egypt.

  • Exodus 8:8

    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.
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