What number verse is Exodus 9:35 in the Bible?

Exodus 9:35 is the 1,778th verse of the Bible. Counting straight through the King James canon — all 31,102 verses from Genesis 1:1 to Revelation 22:21 — Exodus 9:35 sits at position 1,778.

Translation

King James Version

And the heart of Pharaoh was hardened, neither would he let the children of Israel go; as the LORD had spoken by Moses.

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KJV (with Strong's)

And the heart ^H3820 of Pharaoh ^H6547 was hardened ^H2388, neither would he let the children ^H1121 of Israel ^H3478 go ^H7971; as the LORD ^H3068 had spoken ^H1696 by ^H3027 Moses ^H4872.

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Complete Jewish Bible

Pharaoh was made hardhearted, and he didn't let the people of Isra'el go, just as ADONAI had said through Moshe.

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Berean Standard Bible

So Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he would not let the Israelites go, just as the LORD had said through Moses.

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American Standard Version

And the heart of Pharaoh was hardened, and he did not let the children of Israel go, as Jehovah had spoken by Moses.

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World English Bible Messianic

The heart of Pharaoh was hardened, and he didn’t let the children of Israel go, just as the LORD had spoken through Moses.

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Geneva Bible (1599)

So the heart of Pharaoh was hardened: neither would he let the children of Israel goe, as the Lord had said by Moses.

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Young's Literal Translation

and the heart of Pharaoh is strong, and he hath not sent the sons of Israel away, as Jehovah hath spoken by the hand of Moses.

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Study This Verse

SUMMARY

Exodus 9:35 serves as a pivotal concluding statement for the seventh plague, the devastating hail, by unequivocally declaring Pharaoh's continued defiance. Despite overwhelming divine judgment, Pharaoh's heart remained unyielding, preventing him from releasing the children of Israel, precisely "as the LORD had spoken by Moses." This verse powerfully encapsulates the complex interplay of human stubbornness and divine sovereignty in the unfolding of God's redemptive plan, emphatically demonstrating God's unwavering faithfulness to His prophetic word and His ultimate control over all of history.

CONTEXT

Literary Context: Exodus 9:35 functions as the climactic summary of the seventh plague, the devastating hail, and marks a significant turning point in the narrative of the plagues. It immediately follows Exodus 9:34, where Pharaoh, momentarily humbled by the unprecedented severity of the hail and fire, confesses his sin and acknowledges the LORD's righteousness, even requesting Moses' intercession. However, the moment the plague ceases, Pharaoh's resolve falters, and he hardens his heart once more. This recurring pattern of Pharaoh's temporary submission followed by renewed defiance is a central literary feature of the plague narrative, setting the stage for the escalating intensity of the subsequent judgments, such as the plague of locusts detailed in Exodus 10:1-20. The verse thus reinforces a key refrain throughout the plague accounts, emphasizing Pharaoh's persistent and ultimately futile resistance to God's explicit command to "let my people go."
Historical & Cultural Context: In ancient Egypt, the Pharaoh was not merely a king but was revered as a living deity, the son of Ra, and the embodiment of cosmic order (Ma'at). His authority was absolute, and his word was considered divine law. For such a figure to concede to a foreign deity, Yahweh, and release his vast, economically vital workforce of Israelite slaves would have been an unimaginable humiliation, a profound blow to his prestige, power, and perceived divinity. The plagues were meticulously designed not only as natural disasters but as direct, targeted assaults on the Egyptian pantheon and Pharaoh's divine authority, systematically demonstrating Yahweh's absolute supremacy over all Egyptian gods and their supposed protector, Pharaoh. Pharaoh's "hardened heart" (a common idiom in ancient Near Eastern texts signifying stubbornness, resolve, or a fixed determination) was therefore deeply rooted in a profound cultural and religious worldview that fiercely resisted any challenge to his divine status and Egypt's perceived invincibility. His refusal was a matter of national honor, religious conviction, and the very fabric of his identity, making his resistance deeply entrenched and seemingly insurmountable.
Key Themes: Exodus 9:35 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Exodus and the broader Pentateuch. Firstly, it powerfully underscores the theme of Divine Sovereignty, demonstrating that God's purposes cannot be thwarted by human will, even that of the most powerful earthly ruler. Pharaoh's resistance, far from hindering God's plan, becomes the very means by which God's glory is magnified and His power displayed to both Egypt and Israel, as seen in Exodus 9:16. Secondly, it highlights the theme of Human Responsibility and Rebellion, illustrating the hardening effect of pride and persistent defiance against divine truth. Despite overwhelming evidence of God's power, Pharaoh's heart grows increasingly resistant, leading to greater judgment, which is a pattern observed throughout salvation history. Thirdly, the phrase "as the LORD had spoken by Moses" emphasizes the Reliability and Fulfillment of God's Word. From the outset, God declared Pharaoh's hardening and Israel's eventual deliverance (Exodus 4:21-23). This verse affirms that God's prophetic declarations are certain to come to pass, assuring Israel of His faithfulness and the ultimate triumph of His covenant promises.

EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

Exodus 9:35 succinctly captures the climax of Pharaoh's defiance after the seventh plague: "And the heart of Pharaoh was hardened, neither would he let the children of Israel go; as the LORD had spoken by Moses."

Key Word Analysis

Heart (Hebrew, lêb', H3820): This term (H3820) refers not merely to the physical organ but, more broadly and figuratively, to the inner being of a person—their feelings, will, intellect, and the very core of their personality. In this context, "the heart of Pharaoh" signifies his will, his resolve, his innermost disposition. The hardening of his heart indicates a fixed, unyielding determination of his will to resist God's command, a stubbornness that originates from the deepest part of his being.
Hardened (Hebrew, châzaq', H2388): Translated from the verb (H2388), châzaq primarily means "to fasten upon," "to seize," or "to be strong." When applied to the heart, it conveys a strengthening of resolve, a firming up of will, often in a negative sense of obstinacy, stubbornness, or resistance. Unlike other verbs used for Pharaoh's heart (such as kaved meaning "to be heavy/dull" or qashah meaning "to be stiff/stubborn"), châzaq implies a deliberate, reinforced determination on Pharaoh's part to maintain his position and resist God's command, even after experiencing immense suffering and witnessing divine power. It suggests an active resolve to remain unyielding.
Spoken (Hebrew, dâbar', H1696): This primitive root (H1696) means "to arrange" or, figuratively, "to speak," "to declare," or "to command." In the context of "as the LORD had spoken by Moses," it underscores the authoritative and prophetic nature of God's communication. It signifies that God's word is not merely a suggestion or a wish, but a declarative statement of His will and purpose, which He will unfailingly bring to pass. The fulfillment of this spoken word is a testament to God's sovereignty and the reliability of His prophetic declarations.

Verse Breakdown

"And the heart of Pharaoh was hardened,": This clause describes Pharaoh's internal state, the core of his being, becoming resolute in its opposition. The passive voice ("was hardened") in the Hebrew allows for a theological tension that is maintained throughout the plague narrative. It can imply God's direct action in strengthening Pharaoh's existing inclination to resist, or Pharaoh's own active self-hardening, or a combination of both. Regardless of the precise mechanism, the emphasis is on the result: Pharaoh's unwavering, unyielding resolve. This hardening is not a coercion of an unwilling will, but a divine allowance and intensification of Pharaoh's inherent rebellion, allowing his sin to fully manifest for God's greater purposes.
"neither would he let the children of Israel go;": This is the direct, observable consequence and manifestation of Pharaoh's hardened heart. His internal stubbornness translates into external action—or rather, inaction—as he continues to refuse to release God's people from their bondage. This highlights the practical and oppressive outcome of spiritual defiance, demonstrating how a hardened will directly impedes God's redemptive purposes for His people.
"as the LORD had spoken by Moses.": This crucial phrase underscores the overarching theme of divine sovereignty and prophetic fulfillment. From the very beginning of Moses' commission, God declared that Pharaoh's heart would be hardened (Exodus 4:21). This concluding phrase in Exodus 9:35 confirms that Pharaoh's persistent resistance, though an act of his own culpable will, was precisely within the scope of God's foreknowledge and sovereign plan. It serves not as an excuse for Pharaoh's sin, but as a powerful affirmation of God's ultimate control over all events, even human rebellion, to achieve His just and glorious purposes.

Literary Devices

The recurring phrase "Pharaoh's heart was hardened" (or variations thereof) functions as a significant leitmotif throughout the plague narrative. Its repetition emphasizes Pharaoh's obstinacy and the escalating nature of God's judgment, creating a sense of inevitability. This repetition also serves a theological purpose, consistently highlighting the fulfillment of God's initial prophecy to Moses regarding Pharaoh's resistance, thereby reinforcing the theme of divine faithfulness and the absolute certainty of God's word. The narrative also employs irony, as Pharaoh's attempts to assert his power and defy God ultimately serve to magnify God's power and bring about his own nation's ruin, precisely as God intended. The structure of the plague accounts, with each plague followed by Pharaoh's hardening, creates a climax of divine judgment, building towards the ultimate demonstration of God's power in the Passover and the Red Sea.

THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS

Exodus 9:35 is rich with profound theological implications, primarily centering on the nature of God, the human will, and the unfolding of redemptive history. It encapsulates the tension between divine sovereignty and human responsibility, a paradox central to biblical theology. God's declaration that He would harden Pharaoh's heart (Exodus 4:21) is consistently fulfilled, yet the narrative also repeatedly shows Pharaoh actively hardening his own heart (Exodus 8:15, Exodus 9:34). This reveals that God's sovereign plan does not negate human moral culpability. Pharaoh is fully responsible for his choices, even as those choices align with and fulfill God's declared purpose to display His power and glory. The verse also powerfully underscores God's unwavering faithfulness to His prophetic declarations; what God declares, He brings to pass, assuring Israel and all future generations of the certainty of His promises. Finally, Pharaoh's persistent rebellion, despite overwhelming evidence of God's power, serves as a stark illustration of the hardening effect of pride and defiance against God, leading to increasingly severe judgments.

Cross-References:

REFLECTION AND APPLICATION

Exodus 9:35, though rooted in ancient history, speaks profoundly to contemporary life, offering crucial lessons for our faith, character, and understanding of God. Pharaoh's unyielding heart serves as a potent warning against the insidious dangers of spiritual stubbornness. When we repeatedly ignore God's promptings, His Word, or the clear consequences of our sin, our hearts can become increasingly resistant to truth, grace, and conviction. This spiritual hardening can lead to a perilous state where we are no longer able to respond to God's loving call, inviting greater spiritual insensitivity and ultimately, just condemnation. It challenges us to cultivate a soft heart, one that is humble, teachable, and quick to repent and obey, valuing God's truth above our own desires or pride. Furthermore, this verse offers immense comfort and confidence in God's unwavering purpose amidst a world that often feels chaotic and out of control. Pharaoh, the most powerful man on earth, could not thwart God's plan. This reminds us that no human resistance, no political upheaval, and no personal trial can derail God's ultimate purposes. We can rest securely in His sovereign control, trusting that He is working all things—even the rebellion of others—to accomplish His good will and magnify His glory. Finally, the phrase "as the LORD had spoken" reinforces the absolute trustworthiness of Scripture. What God declares, He performs. This should deepen our confidence in all of God's promises—His promises of salvation, His promises to work all things for good for those who love Him, and His promises of future hope and a new heaven and earth. We can confidently build our lives on the sure and infallible foundation of His Word.

Questions for Reflection

In what specific areas of my life might I be resisting God's clear leading or ignoring His repeated warnings, and what might be the long-term consequences of such resistance on my spiritual health?
How does understanding God's sovereignty over Pharaoh's hardened heart strengthen my trust in His control over seemingly insurmountable challenges in my own life or in the world today?
Considering God's absolute faithfulness to His word concerning Pharaoh, how does this encourage me to place greater reliance on God's promises for my personal future and the ultimate triumph of His kingdom?

FAQ

Did God make Pharaoh sin by hardening his heart?

Answer: The biblical text presents a complex and profound theological interplay. While God explicitly states He would harden Pharaoh's heart (Exodus 4:21 and Exodus 7:3), it also repeatedly shows Pharaoh hardening his own heart (Exodus 8:15, Exodus 9:34, and Exodus 10:1). The most biblically faithful understanding is that God's hardening was not a coercion of an unwilling will, forcing Pharaoh to sin against his nature. Rather, it was a divine act that strengthened or confirmed Pharaoh's already existing inclination towards rebellion and defiance. God removed any softening influences, allowing Pharaoh's inherent stubbornness and pride to fully manifest, thereby demonstrating His power and justice through the very means of Pharaoh's resistance. Pharaoh remained morally culpable and fully responsible for his choices.

Why would God harden Pharaoh's heart if He wanted to free Israel?

Answer: God's purpose in hardening Pharaoh's heart was not to prevent Israel's release, but paradoxically, to prolong the confrontation so that He could display His mighty power and glory to both Egypt and Israel, and indeed, to all the earth. As Exodus 9:16 clearly states, God raised Pharaoh up "that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth." The extended series of plagues served multiple divine purposes: to utterly break Egypt's power, to discredit their pantheon of gods, to reveal Yahweh as the one true, sovereign God, and to ensure that Israel (and all future generations) would know Him as their mighty deliverer. Pharaoh's resistance became the very means by which God's glory was magnified, His justice was demonstrated, and His covenant promises to Israel were fulfilled with undeniable power.

CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT

Exodus 9:35, with its stark portrayal of Pharaoh's hardened heart and God's sovereign purpose in the face of human rebellion, finds profound fulfillment and amplification in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. Just as God delivered Israel from the physical bondage of Pharaoh and Egypt, Jesus Christ is the ultimate Deliverer who frees humanity from the spiritual bondage of sin and death. Pharaoh's unyielding refusal to "let the children of Israel go" is a powerful type of the world's pervasive rebellion against God's will, a rebellion that ultimately culminated in the rejection and crucifixion of Christ. Yet, through His sacrificial death and glorious resurrection, Jesus broke the power of sin and Satan, accomplishing a far greater exodus for all who believe, delivering them from the domain of darkness into His marvelous light (Colossians 1:13-14).

Furthermore, Pharaoh's hardened heart served God's purpose to display His power and glory through judgment. Similarly, the hardened hearts of many in Israel and the world who rejected Jesus ultimately served God's greater redemptive plan. The crucifixion, the supreme act of human rebellion against God's Son, became the very means by which God's greatest act of salvation was accomplished, demonstrating His unparalleled love, justice, and power over sin and death (Acts 2:23). This cosmic irony reveals God's ability to orchestrate even the deepest human sin for His glorious purposes. Finally, the Old Testament narrative, exemplified by Pharaoh's hardened heart, highlights humanity's inherent inability to obey God without divine intervention. The New Covenant, inaugurated by Christ, promises a radical, inward transformation of the heart. Instead of a heart hardened by sin and rebellion, God promises a new heart of flesh, empowered by His indwelling Spirit to obey His commands and walk in His ways (Ezekiel 36:26-27). This profound spiritual transformation, made possible through Christ's atoning work and the gift of the Holy Spirit, is the ultimate answer to the problem of the hardened heart exemplified by Pharaoh, offering true freedom and intimacy with God.

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Commentary on Exodus 9 verses 22–35

22 ¶ And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch forth thine hand toward heaven, that there may be hail in all the land of Egypt, upon man, and upon beast, and upon every herb of the field, throughout the land of Egypt.

23 And Moses stretched forth his rod toward heaven: and the LORD sent thunder and hail, and the fire ran along upon the ground; and the LORD rained hail upon the land of Egypt.

24 So there was hail, and fire mingled with the hail, very grievous, such as there was none like it in all the land of Egypt since it became a nation.

25 And the hail smote throughout all the land of Egypt all that was in the field, both man and beast; and the hail smote every herb of the field, and brake every tree of the field.

26 Only in the land of Goshen, where the children of Israel were, was there no hail.

27 And Pharaoh sent, and called for Moses and Aaron, and said unto them, I have sinned this time: the LORD is righteous, and I and my people are wicked.

28 Intreat the LORD (for it is enough) that there be no more mighty thunderings and hail; and I will let you go, and ye shall stay no longer.

29 And Moses said unto him, As soon as I am gone out of the city, I will spread abroad my hands unto the LORD; and the thunder shall cease, neither shall there be any more hail; that thou mayest know how that the earth is the LORD'S.

30 But as for thee and thy servants, I know that ye will not yet fear the LORD God.

31 And the flax and the barley was smitten: for the barley was in the ear, and the flax was bolled.

32 But the wheat and the rie were not smitten: for they were not grown up.

33 And Moses went out of the city from Pharaoh, and spread abroad his hands unto the LORD: and the thunders and hail ceased, and the rain was not poured upon the earth.

34 And when Pharaoh saw that the rain and the hail and the thunders were ceased, he sinned yet more, and hardened his heart, he and his servants.

35 And the heart of Pharaoh was hardened, neither would he let the children of Israel go; as the LORD had spoken by Moses.

The threatened plague of hail is here summoned by the powerful hand and rod of Moses (Exo 9:22, Exo 9:23), and it obeys the summons, or rather the divine command; for fire and hail fulfil God's word, Psa 148:8. And here we are told,

I. What desolations it made upon the earth. The thunder, and fire from heaven (or lightning), made it both the more dreadful and the more destroying, Exo 9:23, Exo 9:24. Note, God makes the clouds, not only his store-houses whence he drops fatness on his people, but his magazines whence, when he pleases, he can draw out a most formidable train of artillery, with which to destroy his enemies. He himself speaks of the treasures of hail which he hath reserved against the day of battle and war, Job 38:22, Job 38:23. Woeful havoc this hail made in the land of Egypt. It killed both men and cattle, and battered down, not only the herbs, but the trees, Exo 9:25. The corn that was above ground was destroyed, and that only preserved which as yet had not come up, Exo 9:31, Exo 9:32. Note, God has many ways of taking away the corn in the season thereof (Hos 2:9), either by a secret blasting, or a noisy hail. In this plague the hot thunderbolts, as well as the hail, are said to destroy their flocks, Psa 78:47, Psa 78:48; and see Psa 105:32, Psa 105:33. Perhaps David alludes to this when, describing God's glorious appearances for the discomfiture of his enemies, he speaks of the hailstones and coals of fire he threw among them, Psa 18:12, Psa 18:13. And there is a plan reference to it on the pouring out of the seventh vial, Rev 16:21. Notice is here taken (Exo 9:26) of the land of Goshen's being preserved from receiving any damage by this plague. God has the directing of the pregnant clouds, and causes it to rain or hail on one city and not on another, either in mercy or in judgment.

II. What a consternation it put Pharaoh in. See what effect it had upon him, 1. He humbled himself to Moses in the language of a penitent, Exo 9:27, Exo 9:28. No man could have spoken better. He owns himself on the wrong side in his contest with the God of the Hebrews: "I have sinned in standing it out so long." He owns the equity of God's proceedings against him: The Lord is righteous, and must be justified when he speaks, though he speak in thunder and lightning. He condemns himself and his land: "I and my people are wicked, and deserve what is brought upon us." He begs the prayers of Moses: "Entreat the Lord for me, that this direful plague may be removed." And, lastly, he promises to yield up his prisoners: I will let you go. What could one desire more? And yet his heart was hardened all this while. Note, The terror of the rod often extorts penitent acknowledgments from those who have no penitent affections; under the surprise and smart of affliction, they start up, and say that which is pertinent enough, not because they are deeply affected, but because they know that they should be and that it is meet to be said. 2. Moses, hereupon, becomes an intercessor for him with God. Though he had all the reason in the world to think that he would immediately repent of his repentance, and told him so (Exo 9:30), yet he promises to be this friend in the court of heaven. Note, Even those whom we have little hopes of, yet we should continue to pray for, and to admonish, Sa1 12:23. Observe, (1.) The place Moses chose for his intercession. He went out of the city (Exo 9:33), not only for privacy in his communion with God, but to show that he durst venture abroad into the field, notwithstanding the hail and lightning which kept Pharaoh and his servants within doors, knowing that every hail-stone had its direction from his God, who meant him no hurt. Note, Peace with God makes men thunderproof, for thunder is the voice of their Father. (2.) The gesture: He spread abroad his hands unto the Lord - an outward expression of earnest desire and humble expectation. Those that come to God for mercy must stand ready to receive it. (3.) The end Moses aimed at in interceding for him: That thou mayest know, and be convinced, that the earth is the Lord's (Exo 9:29), that is, that God has a sovereign dominion over all the creatures, that they all are ruled by him, and therefore that thou oughtest to be so. See what various methods God uses to bring men to their proper senses. Judgments are sent, judgments removed, and all for the same end, to make men know that he Lord reigns. (4.) The success of it. [1.] He prevailed with God, Exo 9:33. But, [2.] He could not prevail with Pharaoh: He sinned yet more, and hardened his heart, Exo 9:34, Exo 9:35. The prayer of Moses opened and shut heaven, like Elias's (Jam 5:17, Jam 5:18), and such is the power of God's two witnesses (Rev 11:6); yet neither Moses nor Elias, nor those two witnesses, could subdue the hard hearts of men. Pharaoh was frightened into a compliance by the judgment, but, when it was over, his convictions vanished, and his fair promises were forgotten. Note, Little credit is to be given to confessions upon the rack. Note also, Those that are not bettered by judgments and mercies are commonly made worse.

Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 22–35. Public domain.

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Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.

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