Exodus 7:4

But Pharaoh shall not hearken unto you, that I may lay my hand upon Egypt, and bring forth mine armies, [and] my people the children of Israel, out of the land of Egypt by great judgments.

But Pharaoh {H6547} shall not hearken {H8085} unto you, that I may lay {H5414} my hand {H3027} upon Egypt {H4714}, and bring forth {H3318} mine armies {H6635}, and my people {H5971} the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478}, out of the land {H776} of Egypt {H4714} by great {H1419} judgments {H8201}.

Pharaoh will not listen to you. Then I will lay my hand on Egypt and bring my armies, my people the sons of Isra'el, out of the land of Egypt with great acts of judgment.

Pharaoh will not listen to you. Then I will lay My hand on Egypt, and by mighty acts of judgment I will bring the divisions of My people the Israelites out of the land of Egypt.

But Pharaoh will not hearken unto you, and I will lay my hand upon Egypt, and bring forth my hosts, my people the children of Israel, out of the land of Egypt by great judgments.

Commentary

Exodus 7:4 reveals God's strategic declaration to Moses concerning Pharaoh's impending obstinacy, setting the stage for the dramatic confrontation that would lead to Israel's liberation from Egypt. This verse underscores the divine purpose behind Pharaoh's hardened heart, which was not merely human stubbornness but part of God's sovereign plan to display His power through "great judgments."

Context

This verse is spoken by God to Moses and Aaron before the first plague is unleashed, following their initial, unsuccessful appeal to Pharaoh for Israel's release. Pharaoh had already shown his resistance by increasing the Israelites' burdens (see Exodus 5:6-9). God forewarns Moses that Pharaoh "shall not hearken unto you," indicating that the upcoming series of plagues was not a last resort but a predetermined method for God to demonstrate His unparalleled might. This divine foreknowledge and orchestration are central to understanding the entire Exodus narrative.

Key Themes

  • Divine Sovereignty and Purpose: God explicitly states that Pharaoh's refusal is part of His plan ("that I may lay my hand upon Egypt"). This highlights God's absolute control over human actions and historical events, even over the resistance of powerful rulers. His ultimate goal is the glorious deliverance of His people.
  • The Hardening of Pharaoh's Heart: While Pharaoh makes choices, God declares His intention to allow or even cause Pharaoh's heart to be unyielding. This serves to magnify God's power through the severity and number of the plagues, ensuring that both Egypt and Israel would know who the Lord is (cf. Exodus 9:16).
  • God's "Armies" and "Great Judgments": The term "mine armies" referring to the children of Israel elevates their status from mere slaves to a divinely organized host, ready to march out under God's command. The "great judgments" signify the impending plagues, which were not random acts but precise demonstrations of God's justice against the gods of Egypt and a clear display of His unique power and authority.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "mine armies" translates the Hebrew word tzva'ot (צְבָאוֹת), often rendered as "hosts" and famously used in the title "Lord of hosts" (Yahweh Tzva'ot). Here, it powerfully redefines the enslaved Israelites not as a scattered, oppressed people, but as an organized, disciplined force under God's supreme command, ready for a divinely orchestrated exodus. The phrase "lay my hand upon Egypt" is an anthropomorphism, illustrating God's direct and forceful intervention in the affairs of the nation, implying a personal, powerful, and decisive action.

Practical Application

Exodus 7:4 offers profound reassurance regarding God's sovereignty. Even when faced with seemingly insurmountable obstacles or stubborn opposition, this verse reminds us that God is at work, orchestrating events according to His perfect plan. His purposes will ultimately prevail, and He can use even human resistance to magnify His glory and accomplish His will. For believers, this means trusting in God's power to deliver and to work all things for His good, even through challenging circumstances.

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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

  • Exodus 11:9 (4 votes)

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

  • Exodus 6:6 (4 votes)

    Wherefore say unto the children of Israel, I [am] the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rid you out of their bondage, and I will redeem you with a stretched out arm, and with great judgments:

  • Exodus 12:51 (3 votes)

    And it came to pass the selfsame day, [that] the LORD did bring the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt by their armies.

  • Revelation 15:4 (2 votes)

    Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for [thou] only [art] holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.

  • Ezekiel 14:21 (2 votes)

    For thus saith the Lord GOD; How much more when I send my four sore judgments upon Jerusalem, the sword, and the famine, and the noisome beast, and the pestilence, to cut off from it man and beast?

  • Ezekiel 30:19 (2 votes)

    Thus will I execute judgments in Egypt: and they shall know that I [am] the LORD.

  • Revelation 19:2 (2 votes)

    For true and righteous [are] his judgments: for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand.