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Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers Exodus 9:13–21. His two-level outline is real structure in the source text, so it is rendered as structure.
Here is, I. A general declaration of the wrath of God against Pharaoh for his obstinacy. Though God has hardened his heart (Exo 9:12), yet Moses must repeat his applications to him; God suspends his grace and yet demands obedience, to punish him for requiring bricks of the children of Israel when he denied them straw. God would likewise show forth a pattern of long-suffering, and how he waits to be gracious to a rebellious and gainsaying people Six times the demand had been made in vain, yet Moses must make it the seventh time: Let my people go, Exo 9:13. A most dreadful message Moses is here ordered to deliver to him, whether he will hear or whether he will forbear. 1. He must tell him that he is marked for ruin, that he now stands as the butt at which God would shoot all the arrows of his wrath, Exo 9:14, Exo 9:15. "Now I will send all my plagues." Now that no place is found for repentance in Pharaoh, nothing can prevent his utter destruction, for that only would have prevented it. Now that God begins to harden his heart, his case is desperate. "I will send my plagues upon thy heart, not only temporal plagues upon thy body, but spiritual plagues upon thy soul." Note, God can send plagues upon thy soul." Note, God can send plagues upon the heart, either by making it senseless or by making it hopeless - and these are the worst plagues. Pharaoh must now expect no respite, no cessation of arms, but to be followed with plague upon plague, till he is utterly consumed. Note, When God judges he will overcome; none ever hardened his heart against him and prospered. 2. He must tell him that he is to remain in history a standing monument of the justice and power of God's wrath (Exo 9:16): "For this cause have I raised thee up to the throne at this time, and made thee to stand the shock of the plagues hitherto, to show in thee my power." Providence ordered it so that Moses should have a man of such a fierce and stubborn spirit as he was to deal with; and every thing was so managed in this transaction as to make it a most signal and memorable instance of the power God has to humble and bring down the proudest of his enemies. Every thing concurred to signalize this, that God's name (that is, his incontestable sovereignty, his irresistible power, and his inflexible justice) might be declared throughout all the earth, not only to all places, but through all ages while the earth remains. Note, God sometimes raises up very bad men to honour and power, spares them long, and suffers them to grow insufferably insolent, that he may be so much the more glorified in their destruction at last. See how the neighbouring nations, at that time, improved the ruin of Pharaoh to the glory of God. Jethro said upon it, Now know I that the Lord is greater than all gods, Exo 18:11. The apostle illustrates the doctrine of God's sovereignty with this instance, Rom 9:17. To justify God in these resolutions, Moses is directed to ask him (Exo 9:17), As yet exaltest thou thyself against my people? Pharaoh was a great king; God's people were poor shepherds at the best, and now poor slaves; and yet Pharaoh shall be ruined if he exalt himself against them, for it is considered as exalting himself against God. This was not the first time that God reproved kings for their sakes, and let them know that he would not suffer his people to be trampled upon and insulted, no, not by the most powerful of them.
II.A particular prediction of the plague of hail (Exo 9:18), and a gracious advice to Pharaoh and his people to send for their servants and cattle out of the field, that they might be sheltered from the hail, Exo 9:19. Note, When God's justice threatens ruin his mercy, at the same time, shows us a way of escape from it, so unwilling is he that any should perish. See here what care God took, not only to distinguish between Egyptians and Israelites, but between some Egyptians and others. If Pharaoh will not yield, and so prevent the judgment itself, yet an opportunity is given to those that have any dread of God and his word to save themselves from sharing in the judgment. Note, Those that will take warning may take shelter; and those that will not may thank themselves if they fall by the overflowing scourge, and the hail which will sweep away the refuge of lies, Isa 28:17. See the different effect of this warning.
1.Some believed the things that were spoken, and they feared, and housed their servants and cattle (Exo 9:20), like Noah (Heb 11:7), and it was their wisdom. Even among the servants of Pharaoh there were some that trembled at God's word; and shall not the sons of Israel dread it? But,
2.Others believed not: though, whatever plague Moses had hitherto foretold, the event exactly answered to the prediction; and though, if they had had any reason to question this, it would have been no great damage to them to have kept their cattle in the house for one day, and so, supposing it a doubtful case, to have chosen the surer side; yet they were so foolhardy as in defiance to the truth of Moses, and the power of God (of both which they had already had experience enough, to their cost), to leave their cattle in the field, Pharaoh himself, it is probable, giving them an example of the presumption, Exo 9:21. Note, Obstinate infidelity, which is deaf to the fairest warnings and the wisest counsels, leaves the blood of those that perish upon their own heads.
Historical interpretation
Four Centuries of Reception
2 surviving comments on this verse. Each one is dated, so this reads as a timeline rather than a list.
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And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac; (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;) It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger. As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated. What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that showeth mercy. For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might show my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth. [Exodus 9:16] Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth. Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will? Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour? What if God, willing to show his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory, Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?
With God there is no injustice. Thus [Paul] immediately added, “For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, ‘For this very purpose I raised you up, that I may show through you my power and that my name may be proclaimed in all the earth.’ ” Then, having said this, he draws a conclusion that looks both ways, that is, toward mercy and toward judgment: “Therefore,” he says, “he has mercy on whom he wills, and whom he wills he hardens.” He shows mercy out of his great goodness; he hardens out of no unfairness at all. In this way neither does he who is saved have a basis for glorying in any merit of his own; nor does the man who is damned have a basis for complaining of anything except what he has fully merited. For grace alone separates the redeemed from the lost, all having been mingled together in the one mass of perdition, arising from a common cause which leads back to their common origin.
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Summary
Exodus 9:16 is a profound divine declaration to Pharaoh, revealing God's sovereign purpose behind the escalating plagues and Pharaoh's continued resistance: God actively preserved Pharaoh's life and position not for his merit, but precisely to display His unmatched power through him and to ensure His glorious name would be universally proclaimed. This statement underscores God's absolute control over all nations and rulers, even those who vehemently oppose Him, ultimately working all things for the magnification of His own glory.
Context
Literary Context
This verse is a direct divine speech delivered by Moses to Pharaoh, strategically placed amidst the escalating plagues. It follows the devastating plagues of murrain (Exodus 9:1-7) and boils (Exodus 9:8-12), and immediately precedes the severe plague of hail (Exodus 9:13-35). Pharaoh has repeatedly hardened his heart, refusing to release the Israelites despite witnessing God's miraculous power and suffering the consequences. In this moment, God provides a theological explanation for Pharaoh's continued existence and resistance, revealing that even Pharaoh's stubbornness is being woven into God's larger redemptive plan. It serves as a pivotal statement, shifting the focus from merely punitive judgment to the grander, universal purpose of God's self-revelation.
Historical & Cultural Context
Ancient Egypt was a polytheistic society, with Pharaoh considered a divine king, a living god, and the embodiment of national power. The plagues were not merely natural disasters but direct assaults on Egypt's gods and Pharaoh's supposed divine authority. Each plague systematically demonstrated the impotence of an Egyptian deity, culminating in the ultimate defeat of Pharaoh and his pantheon at the Red Sea. The concept of a single, sovereign God who could humble the mightiest empire on earth was revolutionary and deeply challenging to the prevailing worldview. This divine declaration to Pharaoh, therefore, directly confronts the Egyptian understanding of power and divinity, asserting the unparalleled supremacy of Yahweh over all earthly and spiritual forces.
Key Themes
Exodus 9:16 powerfully articulates several core themes central to the book of Exodus and the broader biblical narrative. It highlights God's absolute sovereignty over human rulers and historical events, demonstrating that even the most formidable opposition is subject to His will. It emphasizes the purpose of divine judgment as not merely punitive but revelatory, intended to display God's unique power and identity to the world. Furthermore, it underscores the theme of God's ultimate renown, revealing that the entire Exodus narrative, from the plagues to the parting of the sea, is orchestrated to make His name known "throughout all the earth." This echoes later declarations about God's glory filling the earth, such as in Numbers 14:21 and Psalm 57:5. The verse also subtly introduces the theme of God's use of human rebellion for His own purposes, a concept further explored in passages like Romans 9:17.
Exposition and Analysis
In Exodus 9:16, God directly addresses Pharaoh, stating, "And in very deed for this [cause] have I raised thee up, for to shew [in] thee my power; and that my name may be declared throughout all the earth." This declaration reveals a dual, overarching purpose behind God's interaction with Pharaoh and the unfolding plagues.
Key Word Analysis
This adverbial phrase, derived from H199, signifies "surely," "truly," or "however." It emphasizes the certainty and deliberate nature of God's action, underscoring that His preservation of Pharaoh was not accidental or passive, but a purposeful, active decision. It sets a definitive tone for the divine declaration that follows, asserting the absolute truth of God's stated intention.
This word denotes vigor, force, might, or strength. In the context of God, it refers to His omnipotence – His inherent ability to accomplish anything He wills. The phrase "my power" (כֹּחִי, kōḥî) highlights that the display is not merely of general strength, but of Yahweh's unique, unparalleled, and irresistible might, which far surpasses any earthly or supposed divine power, including that of Pharaoh and the Egyptian gods.
This primitive root (H5608) means "to score with a mark," "to inscribe," "to enumerate," or "to recount." Intensively, it means "to celebrate" or "to tell out." Here, in the Niphal stem (passive), it conveys the idea of God's name being "told," "recounted," or "proclaimed" widely and publicly. It implies a widespread and enduring testimony of God's character and deeds, ensuring His renown is not forgotten but actively disseminated.
Verse Breakdown
"And in very deed for this [cause] have I raised thee up"
This opening clause asserts God's deliberate and sovereign action. The Hebrew verb for "raised thee up" (הֶעֱמַדְתִּיךָ, he'emadtikha) comes from H5975 (ʻâmad), meaning "to cause to stand," "to establish," or "to preserve." It signifies God's active hand in sustaining Pharaoh's life and maintaining his position, despite the intense judgments being poured out upon Egypt. This was not a passive allowance but an intentional preservation, a divine appointment, for a specific, pre-determined purpose. God did not destroy Pharaoh immediately, but kept him "standing" for His grand design.
"for to shew [in] thee my power"
This phrase reveals the immediate purpose of Pharaoh's preservation. Pharaoh, despite his immense power as the ruler of Egypt, was merely an instrument in God's hands, a living canvas upon which God would paint His unparalleled might through the escalating plagues. The preposition "in" (בְּךָ, bekha) indicates that Pharaoh himself, through his resistance and subsequent humiliation, would become the very medium through which God's power would be demonstrated. Each plague, and Pharaoh's prolonged defiance, served to magnify the contrast between Egypt's impotent gods and the omnipotent God of Israel.
"and that my name may be declared throughout all the earth"
This clause states the ultimate, universal goal of this divine orchestration. God's "name" (שְׁמִי, shemi, from H8034) encompasses His entire character, reputation, identity, and authority as the one true God. The phrase "may be declared" (יְסֻפַּר, yisupar) emphasizes the universal proclamation of His renown. The Exodus event, particularly the dramatic plagues and the miraculous parting of the Red Sea, became a foundational story that spread far beyond Egypt, influencing surrounding nations and generations to come. God's intention was for His glory to be known globally, and Pharaoh's very existence and resistance became a means to achieve this universal declaration.
Literary Devices
Exodus 9:16 employs several potent literary devices. Divine Speech is central, as God directly addresses Pharaoh, asserting His sovereignty and purpose. This direct address elevates the significance of the message, making it an undeniable decree from the ultimate authority. The statement "have I raised thee up" functions as a form of Anthropomorphism, attributing human-like action (raising up, preserving) to God, making His deliberate intervention understandable. Pharaoh himself becomes a Symbol of human rebellion and the futility of opposing divine will, serving as a negative example through whom God's positive attributes are magnified. The phrase "throughout all the earth" is a form of Hyperbole, emphasizing the vast and widespread impact God intends for His name to have, transcending geographical and temporal boundaries to achieve universal renown.
Theological and Thematic Connections
Exodus 9:16 is a cornerstone passage for understanding God's sovereignty and the purpose of His actions in human history. It unequivocally declares that God is not merely reacting to human events but actively orchestrating them, even using the rebellion of powerful rulers like Pharaoh to achieve His ultimate purposes. This verse reveals that divine judgment is not solely about punishment but is fundamentally a revelation of God's power, character, and identity to a watching world. God's ultimate aim is His own renown, ensuring that His "name" – His very being and authority – is declared and recognized universally. This profound truth assures believers that God is always in control, working all things for His glory, even when circumstances appear chaotic or unjust.
Reflection and Application
Exodus 9:16 offers profound reassurance that God is sovereign over all circumstances, even adversity, opposition, and seemingly insurmountable obstacles. It reminds us that God uses all things, including the resistance of powerful rulers and the unfolding of difficult events, to display His power and magnify His name. This truth can be a source of immense encouragement for believers facing challenges, knowing that God can orchestrate even the most trying situations to demonstrate His faithfulness, strength, and ultimate triumph. Furthermore, just as Pharaoh's existence served God's purpose, our lives, including our struggles, our endurance, and how we respond to them, can become a powerful testament to God's power and faithfulness to others. This verse inspires a missionary heart within us, reminding us that God's ultimate purpose is for His renown to be declared "throughout all the earth," compelling us to participate in the global proclamation of His glorious name.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Does "raised thee up" imply God caused Pharaoh's sin?
The Hebrew he'emadtikha (H5975) means God preserved, sustained, or caused Pharaoh to stand, not that God directly caused Pharaoh to sin. While God did harden Pharaoh's heart (e.g., Exodus 9:12), this divine hardening often occurred after Pharaoh had already hardened his own heart multiple times (e.g., Exodus 7:13, Exodus 8:15, Exodus 8:32). God's hardening was a judicial act, allowing Pharaoh's existing sinful inclination to run its course, thereby demonstrating God's power through Pharaoh's continued resistance. It highlights God's sovereignty over human will without negating human responsibility for sin.
Why did God preserve Pharaoh instead of destroying him immediately?
God preserved Pharaoh precisely for the purpose stated in Exodus 9:16: "to shew in thee my power; and that my name may be declared throughout all the earth." If God had destroyed Pharaoh immediately, the full extent of His power and the magnitude of His victory over Egypt's gods would not have been as dramatically displayed or widely known. Pharaoh's prolonged resistance provided the canvas for God's escalating plagues, each one a greater demonstration of His omnipotence, ensuring His name would be magnified and His reputation established for all time.
How was God's name declared "throughout all the earth" through the Exodus?
The fame of God's deeds during the Exodus spread through various means. Eyewitness accounts from the Israelites and those who heard their stories (like Rahab in Jericho, as recounted in Joshua 2:10-11) carried the news. The events became foundational narratives in Israel's worship, national identity, and historical memory, continually recounted and celebrated in songs and stories (e.g., Psalm 105). Furthermore, the sheer scale and miraculous nature of the plagues and the Red Sea crossing would have been impossible to conceal, impacting neighboring nations and establishing God's renown as the supreme deity.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
Exodus 9:16, with its declaration of God's purpose to display His power and declare His name throughout the earth, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. While God displayed His power over a stubborn ruler in Egypt, the cross of Christ is the supreme demonstration of God's power—not merely over human rulers, but over sin, death, and the devil (as seen in Colossians 2:15). Through Christ's resurrection, God's power is revealed in a way that transcends any earthly display, offering eternal salvation and new life rather than temporal deliverance (see Ephesians 1:19-20). Furthermore, the declaration of God's name throughout all the earth, initiated in the Exodus, is fully realized through the Great Commission, where the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which embodies God's character, saving power, and redemptive plan, is proclaimed to every nation, tribe, people, and tongue (as commanded in Matthew 28:19-20 and prophesied in Revelation 7:9-10). Thus, the name of the Lord Jesus is indeed declared throughout all the earth, fulfilling God's ancient purpose.