Exodus 7:3

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

And I will harden {H7185} Pharaoh's {H6547} heart {H3820}, and multiply {H7235} my signs {H226} and my wonders {H4159} in the land {H776} of Egypt {H4714}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But I will make him hardhearted. Even though I will increase my signs and wonders in the land of Egypt,

Berean Standard Bible

But I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and though I will multiply My signs and wonders in the land of Egypt,

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 7:3 unveils God's explicit and sovereign declaration to Moses: He will intentionally harden Pharaoh's heart, a divine act designed to prolong the confrontation with Egypt. This deliberate hardening serves God's overarching purpose of multiplying His miraculous signs and wonders throughout the land. This strategic display of power ensures that His supreme authority and glory are unequivocally revealed to both the Egyptians and the Israelites, orchestrating the dramatic deliverance of His people and solidifying His name and power throughout the earth.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Exodus 7:3 is a crucial prophetic declaration from God to Moses, delivered just before Moses and Aaron's initial confrontation with Pharaoh. It immediately precedes the first plague, the turning of the Nile to blood ([Exodus 7:14-25](/exodus/7-14-25 "The First Plague: Water to Blood")). This verse sets the theological stage for the entire plague narrative, revealing that the subsequent events are not merely a back-and-forth negotiation, but a divinely orchestrated drama. It clarifies that Pharaoh's resistance, far from thwarting God's plan, is integral to it, allowing for a more extensive and impactful demonstration of God's power and judgment against Egypt and its gods. The verse also echoes earlier divine promises to Moses regarding Pharaoh's stubbornness, such as in [Exodus 4:21](/exodus/4-21 "God's promise to harden Pharaoh's heart").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ancient Egypt was a highly centralized empire, with Pharaoh revered as a living god, the son of Ra, and the embodiment of divine order (Ma'at). Egyptian religion was polytheistic, with an extensive pantheon of gods associated with various aspects of nature and life. The plagues, therefore, were not just natural disasters, but direct assaults on the perceived power of Pharaoh and the specific deities of Egypt (e.g., the Nile god Hapi, the sun god Ra, the frog goddess Heqet, etc.). God's declaration to harden Pharaoh's heart challenged the very notion of Pharaoh's divine autonomy and demonstrated Yahweh's absolute supremacy over all earthly and spiritual powers. The land of Egypt, a symbol of human power and idolatry, becomes the stage for God's unparalleled self-revelation.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully introduces several foundational themes that permeate the book of Exodus and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Sovereignty**, demonstrating God's ultimate control over human will and historical events, even using the resistance of an adversary to achieve His purposes. Secondly, it underscores **Divine Revelation**, as the multiplication of signs and wonders serves to reveal God's unique identity, power, and justice to both the oppressed Israelites and the idolatrous Egyptians, as articulated in [Exodus 7:5](/exodus/7-5 "The purpose of God's signs"). Thirdly, it speaks to **Divine Judgment**, as the plagues are acts of righteous retribution against Egypt's oppression and idolatry, showing God's active involvement in human affairs to uphold justice. Finally, it sets the stage for **Redemption through Power**, where Israel's liberation is not achieved through human strength but solely through God's mighty hand, fulfilling His covenant promises as seen in [Exodus 6:6](/exodus/6-6 "God's promise of redemption for Israel").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Exodus 7:3 presents a profound declaration from God to Moses: "And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and multiply my signs and my wonders in the land of Egypt." This statement is a direct revelation of God's sovereign control over the unfolding events, even over the will of the most powerful earthly ruler. It reveals that the ensuing conflict with Pharaoh is not merely a test of wills, but a divinely orchestrated drama with a specific redemptive and revelatory purpose.

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Harden (Hebrew, _qâshâh'_):** This primitive root means "to be dense, i.e., tough or severe." In various applications, it can mean to "be cruel," "be fiercer," "make grievous," or "be stiff(-en, (-necked))." In this context, it describes God's active role in making Pharaoh's heart resistant, unyielding, and unresponsive to divine persuasion. This is not a forced evil, but an intensification or confirmation of Pharaoh's pre-existing obstinacy, allowing God to fully display His power.
* **Heart (Hebrew, _lêb'_):** Figuratively, this term is used very widely for the feelings, the will, and even the intellect. It represents the core of a person's being—their thoughts, intentions, and moral disposition. When Pharaoh's "heart" is hardened, it signifies a hardening of his entire inner being, making him stubbornly resistant to God's commands and unwilling to release the Israelites.
* **Signs (Hebrew, _ʼôwth'_):** This word refers to a "signal," "mark," "token," "omen," or "prodigy." In the context of the plagues, "signs" denote miraculous acts that serve as evidence or proof of God's existence, power, and authority. They are divine indicators, pointing to a deeper spiritual reality and validating God's message through Moses.
* **Wonders (Hebrew, _môwphêth'_):** Derived from a root meaning "conspicuousness," this term refers to a "miracle" or, by implication, a "token or omen." "Wonders" emphasize the awe-inspiring and extraordinary nature of God's acts, designed to evoke astonishment and demonstrate His unparalleled might. They are not merely unusual occurrences but supernatural interventions that defy natural explanation, compelling recognition of divine power.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And I will harden Pharaoh's heart":** This clause reveals God's active and intentional role in the unfolding drama. It signifies divine sovereignty over human will, not necessarily overriding it, but acting upon it. God's hardening of Pharaoh's heart is a judicial act, intensifying or confirming Pharaoh's inherent stubbornness and resistance, thereby setting the stage for a prolonged confrontation. This is crucial for God's ultimate purpose of displaying His glory.
* **"and multiply my signs and my wonders":** This phrase directly links the hardening of Pharaoh's heart to God's purpose. The prolonged resistance of Pharaoh allows for a greater number and intensity of miraculous acts. These "signs" (evidential proofs) and "wonders" (awe-inspiring displays of power) are not random, but deliberate demonstrations of God's dominion over creation and His judgment against the false gods of Egypt. Their multiplication ensures a comprehensive revelation of God's power.
* **"in the land of Egypt":** This specifies the geographical scope of God's display of power. Egypt, the very seat of Pharaoh's power and the land of Israel's oppression, becomes the theater for God's mighty acts. This setting is significant because it is where Pharaoh's authority is supreme and where the gods of Egypt are worshipped, making God's triumph over them all the more evident and impactful to both Egyptians and Israelites.

#### Literary Devices
Exodus 7:3 employs several powerful literary devices. The most prominent is **Divine Declaration**, where God directly states His intention, emphasizing His absolute sovereignty and control over events. This direct speech lends authority and certainty to the prophecy. There is also significant **Foreshadowing**, as this verse sets the stage for the entire plague narrative, indicating that Pharaoh's stubbornness will be a key element in God's plan to showcase His power. The phrase "multiply my signs and my wonders" can be seen as a form of **Hyperbole**, emphasizing the sheer abundance and overwhelming nature of the miracles God is about to perform, far beyond what might be minimally necessary for Israel's release. Furthermore, there is an element of **Irony** in God using the very resistance of His adversary to further His own glorious purposes, turning Pharaoh's defiance into an instrument of divine revelation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 7:3 profoundly asserts God's absolute sovereignty, demonstrating His ultimate control over all things, including the hearts and wills of rulers and nations. His purposes cannot be thwarted, and even human resistance can be woven into His divine plan. This verse highlights that God's power is not limited by human obstinacy; rather, He can use such opposition as a catalyst for a greater display of His glory and a more comprehensive revelation of His character. The multiplication of signs and wonders, enabled by Pharaoh's hardened heart, serves as a powerful testament to God's unique identity as the one true God, distinct from and superior to all the gods of Egypt. It underscores that God reveals Himself not only through His word but also through mighty, undeniable deeds, establishing His justice in judgment and His faithfulness in redemption.

* [Exodus 9:16](/exodus/9-16 "God's Purpose for Pharaoh")
* [Romans 9:17-18](/romans/9-17-18 "God's Sovereignty Over Pharaoh")
* [Psalm 105:27](/psalms/105-27 "God's Signs and Wonders in Egypt")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Exodus 7:3 offers profound insights into God's character and His working in the world. It teaches us about God's absolute sovereignty, even over the hearts of those who oppose Him. His purposes will ultimately prevail, and He can use the resistance of individuals to further His divine plan and reveal His glory. For believers, this verse is a powerful reminder that God is in control, even amidst apparent obstacles and opposition. It encourages faith that God can turn any situation, even stubborn resistance, into an opportunity to display His mighty power and fulfill His promises, such as the [redemption of His people](/exodus/6-6 "God's Promise to Redeem Israel"). It calls us to trust in His perfect timing and His ultimate victory, knowing that all things work together for His glory. In our own lives, when we face seemingly insurmountable opposition or stubborn hearts, this verse reminds us that God is still at work, often using such challenges to reveal His power in ways we might not anticipate, ultimately for His greater glory and our good.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does God's declaration to harden Pharaoh's heart challenge or affirm your understanding of divine sovereignty and human free will?**
* **In what ways might God be using difficult or resistant circumstances in your life to "multiply His signs and wonders" and reveal His glory?**
* **How does understanding God's ultimate purpose in the Exodus narrative (to make His name known) impact your trust in His plan, even when it involves hardship?**

### FAQ
**Does God truly harden hearts, or does Pharaoh harden his own?**

Answer: The biblical narrative presents both realities, often interchangeably, indicating a complex interplay of divine sovereignty and human responsibility. In [Exodus 7:3](/exodus/7-3 "God's declaration to harden Pharaoh's heart"), God explicitly states, "I will harden Pharaoh's heart." However, earlier and later verses also show Pharaoh hardening his own heart (e.g., [Exodus 8:15](/exodus/8-15 "Pharaoh hardens his heart after the plague of frogs") and [Exodus 8:32](/exodus/8-32 "Pharaoh hardens his heart after the plague of flies")). The theological understanding is that God's hardening is often a judicial act, allowing or intensifying a pre-existing resistance in a person who has already chosen to defy Him. It is not that God forces an unwilling heart to be evil, but rather that He removes restraints or confirms a person in their chosen path of rebellion, ultimately for His own redemptive and revelatory purposes. Pharaoh's initial choices to resist God's commands paved the way for God to confirm him in his obstinacy.

**What is the purpose of God multiplying His signs and wonders?**

Answer: The multiplication of signs and wonders (the plagues) serves several crucial purposes. Primarily, they are a demonstration of God's supreme power and authority over all creation and over the gods of Egypt, proving that "the Lord is God" ([Exodus 7:5](/exodus/7-5 "The purpose of the signs is for Egyptians to know the Lord")). They are also acts of divine judgment against Egypt's idolatry and oppression of Israel. For the Israelites, these wonders serve to strengthen their faith in God as their deliverer and to remind them of His covenant faithfulness. Ultimately, they ensure that God's name and glory are declared throughout the earth, as stated in [Exodus 9:16](/exodus/9-16 "God's purpose for Pharaoh is to display His power"). The more Pharaoh resisted, the more opportunities God had to display His might, ensuring a comprehensive and undeniable revelation.

**How does God's hardening of Pharaoh's heart relate to human free will?**

Answer: This is a complex theological question that highlights the tension between divine sovereignty and human responsibility. While God's sovereignty is clearly asserted in [Exodus 7:3](/exodus/7-3 "God's declaration to harden Pharaoh's heart"), the Bible also affirms human responsibility. Pharaoh consistently made choices to resist God's commands before God definitively hardened his heart. God's hardening can be understood as a response to Pharaoh's initial obstinacy, a confirmation of his chosen path, or a removal of grace that might have led to repentance. It highlights that God can use even the free choices of rebellious individuals to accomplish His divine purposes, without negating their moral responsibility for their actions. It underscores that God's plan will prevail, regardless of human opposition, and that He is just in His judgments.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 7:3, with its declaration of God's sovereign hardening of Pharaoh's heart to multiply signs and wonders, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate display of God's power and redemption in Jesus Christ. Pharaoh, as the embodiment of oppressive worldly power and spiritual darkness, is a type of the spiritual enemies—sin, death, and Satan—that hold humanity captive. Just as God hardened Pharaoh's heart to orchestrate a dramatic series of judgments and a mighty deliverance, so too did divine providence allow for the hardening of hearts against Christ, leading to His crucifixion. This ultimate act of human rebellion became the very means by which God displayed His greatest sign and wonder: the resurrection of Jesus from the dead, conquering sin and death ([Romans 6:9-10](/romans/6-9-10 "Christ's Victory Over Death")). Through Christ's atoning work on the cross, God's glory is supremely revealed, and a far greater exodus—spiritual liberation from the bondage of sin and eternal death—is accomplished for all who believe ([Colossians 1:13-14](/colossians/1-13-14 "Redemption Through Christ")). The signs and wonders of Egypt point to the unparalleled miracle of the Gospel, where God's power is revealed not just in judgment against an earthly oppressor, but in the ultimate act of self-sacrificial love and redemption, ensuring that His name is known and glorified throughout all creation ([Philippians 2:9-11](/philippians/2-9-11 "Every Knee Will Bow to Jesus")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Exodus 4:21

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 11:9

And the LORD said unto Moses, Pharaoh shall not hearken unto you; that my wonders may be multiplied in the land of Egypt.

Acts 7:36

He brought them out, after that he had shewed wonders and signs in the land of Egypt, and in the Red sea, and in the wilderness forty years.

John 4:48

Then said Jesus unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe.

Psalms 105:27

They shewed his signs among them, and wonders in the land of Ham.

Psalms 105:36

He smote also all the firstborn in their land, the chief of all their strength.

Acts 2:22

Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: