Exodus 8:32

And Pharaoh hardened his heart at this time also, neither would he let the people go.

And Pharaoh {H6547} hardened {H3513} his heart {H3820} at this time {H6471} also, neither would he let the people {H5971} go {H7971}.

But this time, too, Pharaoh made himself stubborn and didn't let the people go.

But Pharaoh hardened his heart this time as well, and he would not let the people go.

And Pharaoh hardened his heart this time also, and he did not let the people go.

Commentary

Exodus 8:32 (KJV) states, "And Pharaoh hardened his heart at this time also, neither would he let the people go." This verse marks a critical point in the narrative of the plagues upon Egypt, highlighting Pharaoh's persistent defiance against God's command to release the Israelites.

Context

This particular hardening of Pharaoh's heart follows the third plague, the plague of flies (Exodus 8:20-31). Each plague was designed to demonstrate the supremacy of the God of Israel over the gods of Egypt and to compel Pharaoh to release His people. After the severity of the flies, Pharaoh had seemingly relented, offering a compromise for the Israelites to sacrifice within Egypt. However, once Moses interceded and the plague was removed, Pharaoh immediately reneged on his promise. The word "also" in the verse is significant, indicating that this was not the first time Pharaoh had hardened his heart, having done so previously after the plagues of blood (Exodus 7:23) and frogs (Exodus 8:15).

Key Themes

  • Pharaoh's Stubbornness and Defiance: The verse powerfully illustrates Pharaoh's deep-seated resistance to God's authority. Despite witnessing miraculous judgments, his pride and will remained unyielding. This pattern of disobedience sets the stage for further divine intervention.
  • The Interplay of Human Will and Divine Sovereignty: While God is said to harden Pharaoh's heart later in the narrative, here, Pharaoh actively hardens his own heart. This highlights the human responsibility in choosing to resist God's will, even as God orchestrates events for His ultimate purposes, such as displaying His power and making His name known.
  • Escalation of Judgment: Each act of Pharaoh's hardening led to a more severe plague, demonstrating God's long-suffering patience but also the inevitable consequences of persistent disobedience and the pursuit of divine judgment.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew verb used here for "hardened" is ื›ึธึผื‘ึตื“ (*kaved*), which literally means "to be heavy" or "to be weighty." When applied to the heart, it implies a sense of dullness, insensitivity, or obstinacy. Pharaoh's heart became "heavy" or "callous," making him impervious to the evidence of God's power and the suffering of his people. This self-inflicted hardening contrasts with instances where God is explicitly stated to harden Pharaoh's heart, which often uses ื—ึธื–ึทืง (*chazaq*), meaning "to strengthen" or "make firm," serving God's purpose to display His power and show His glory.

Practical Application

Exodus 8:32 serves as a timeless warning against the dangers of persistent disobedience and delaying repentance. Pharaoh's pattern of making promises under duress and then breaking them once relief came is a stark reminder that true change of heart comes from conviction, not just convenience. It underscores the importance of responding to God's call with humility and immediate obedience, recognizing that continued resistance can lead to a spiritual hardening that makes one increasingly unresponsive to divine truth and grace. This narrative encourages self-examination: are we, like Pharaoh, hardening our hearts to God's voice in any area of our lives, or are we truly seeking to align with His will?

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“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 โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Exodus 8:15 (6 votes)

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

  • Exodus 4:21 (5 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.

  • Romans 2:5 (3 votes)

    But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;

  • Isaiah 63:17 (2 votes)

    O LORD, why hast thou made us to err from thy ways, [and] hardened our heart from thy fear? Return for thy servants' sake, the tribes of thine inheritance.

  • James 1:13 (2 votes)

    ยถ Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:

  • James 1:14 (2 votes)

    But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.

  • Exodus 8:8 (2 votes)

    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.