Exodus 8:15

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

But when Pharaoh {H6547} saw {H7200} that there was respite {H7309}, he hardened {H3513} his heart {H3820}, and hearkened {H8085} not unto them; as the LORD {H3068} had said {H1696}.

But when Pharaoh saw that he had been given some relief, he made himself hardhearted and would not listen to them, just as ADONAI had said would happen.

When Pharaoh saw that there was relief, however, he hardened his heart and would not listen to Moses and Aaron, just as the LORD had said.

But when Pharaoh saw that there was respite, he hardened his heart, and hearkened not unto them, as Jehovah had spoken.

Commentary

Exodus 8:15 marks a crucial turning point in the unfolding narrative of the plagues upon Egypt. After the second plague, the overwhelming infestation of frogs, was removed by the LORD, Pharaoh, instead of honoring his word to let the Israelites go, actively chose to harden his heart. This verse highlights the king's defiant nature and serves as a fulfillment of God's earlier pronouncements regarding Pharaoh's stubbornness.

Context

This verse immediately follows the resolution of the plague of frogs. The land of Egypt had been utterly afflicted, and Pharaoh, under duress, had pleaded with Moses and Aaron to intercede with God for relief. Upon the removal of the frogs, a "respite" (a period of relief or rest) was granted. Rather than leading to genuine repentance and obedience, this mercy enabled Pharaoh to revert to his original position of defiance. This establishes a significant pattern throughout the plagues: divine judgment, Pharaoh's temporary concession, God's mercy in lifting the plague, and then Pharaoh's renewed obstinacy. The phrase "as the LORD had said" directly references God's prophetic declaration to Moses that Pharaoh would be unwilling to let the people go (Exodus 4:21).

Key Themes

  • Pharaoh's Stubbornness and Human Responsibility: The active phrasing "he hardened his heart" unequivocally places the responsibility for this act of defiance squarely on Pharaoh. Despite witnessing God's power and experiencing His judgment firsthand, Pharaoh consciously chose to resist the divine command. This underscores the human capacity for rebellion even in the face of undeniable evidence and highlights the consequences of persistent disobedience.
  • Divine Sovereignty and Foreknowledge: The concluding statement, "as the LORD had said," emphasizes God's perfect foreknowledge and sovereign control over events. God was not taken by surprise by Pharaoh's actions; rather, Pharaoh's hardening served God's larger purpose. This resistance ultimately allowed God to display His power and glory more fully, leading to the dramatic redemption of His people and judgment upon Egypt.
  • The Danger of Taking Grace for Granted: The "respite" was an opportunity for Pharaoh to choose a different path, to humble himself and obey God. His decision to exploit this period of relief for further rebellion serves as a cautionary tale. It illustrates the spiritual peril of misinterpreting or misusing God's mercy, leading to a deeper entrenchment in sin rather than repentance.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word translated "hardened" in this verse is Χ›ΦΈΦΌΧ‘Φ΅Χ“ (kaved), which literally means "to be heavy" or "to be weighty." When applied to the heart, it conveys the idea of a heart that has become dull, unresponsive, and unyielding, much like a heavy, immovable object. In this specific instance, the verb is in a form that indicates Pharaoh himself was the agent of this hardening. This is distinct from later instances where the Bible states that God hardened Pharaoh's heart (e.g., Exodus 9:12), highlighting the complex interplay between human will and divine purpose in the narrative of the Exodus.

Practical Application

Exodus 8:15 offers timeless lessons for believers today:

  • Respond to God's Grace: When God shows mercy or grants a period of relief from trials, it is an invitation to draw closer to Him, not an opportunity to return to old patterns of sin or defiance. True repentance should follow divine intervention.
  • Beware of a Hardened Heart: Persistent rebellion and ignoring God's voice can lead to a spiritual dullness, making it increasingly difficult to hear and respond to His truth. The heart can become so accustomed to disobedience that it loses its capacity for sensitivity.
  • God's Purpose Prevails: Even when faced with human obstinacy, God's ultimate plans will be accomplished. Pharaoh's resistance did not deter God's mission to deliver Israel but rather served to magnify His power and faithfulness.
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 β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Isaiah 26:10

    Let favour be shewed to the wicked, [yet] will he not learn righteousness: in the land of uprightness will he deal unjustly, and will not behold the majesty of the LORD.

  • Hebrews 3:8

    Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness:

  • Ecclesiastes 8:11

    Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.

  • 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.

  • Hebrews 3:15

    While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.

  • Exodus 14:5

    And it was told the king of Egypt that the people fled: and the heart of Pharaoh and of his servants was turned against the people, and they said, Why have we done this, that we have let Israel go from serving us?

  • 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.
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