Exodus 14:17
And I, behold, I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, and they shall follow them: and I will get me honour upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host, upon his chariots, and upon his horsemen.
Original Language Analysis
מְחַזֵּק֙
And I behold I will harden
H2388
מְחַזֵּק֙
And I behold I will harden
Strong's:
H2388
Word #:
3 of 14
to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous, causatively strengthen, cure, help, repair, fortify), obstinate; to bind, restra
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
4 of 14
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
לֵ֣ב
the hearts
H3820
לֵ֣ב
the hearts
Strong's:
H3820
Word #:
5 of 14
the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything
וְיָבֹ֖אוּ
and they shall follow
H935
וְיָבֹ֖אוּ
and they shall follow
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
7 of 14
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
אַֽחֲרֵיהֶ֑ם
them
H310
אַֽחֲרֵיהֶ֑ם
them
Strong's:
H310
Word #:
8 of 14
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
וְאִכָּֽבְדָ֤ה
and I will get me honour
H3513
וְאִכָּֽבְדָ֤ה
and I will get me honour
Strong's:
H3513
Word #:
9 of 14
to be heavy, i.e., in a bad sense (burdensome, severe, dull) or in a good sense (numerous, rich, honorable); causatively, to make weighty (in the same
וּבְכָל
H3605
וּבְכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
11 of 14
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
חֵיל֔וֹ
and upon all his host
H2428
חֵיל֔וֹ
and upon all his host
Strong's:
H2428
Word #:
12 of 14
probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength
Cross References
Exodus 14:4And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, that he shall follow after them; and I will be honoured upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host; that the Egyptians may know that I am the LORD. And they did so.Exodus 14:8And the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he pursued after the children of Israel: and the children of Israel went out with an high hand.Deuteronomy 32:39See now that I, even I, am he, and there is no god with me: I kill, and I make alive; I wound, and I heal: neither is there any that can deliver out of my hand.Ezekiel 34:11For thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I, even I, will both search my sheep, and seek them out.Ezekiel 34:20Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD unto them; Behold, I, even I, will judge between the fat cattle and between the lean cattle.Isaiah 51:12I, even I, am he that comforteth you: who art thou, that thou shouldest be afraid of a man that shall die, and of the son of man which shall be made as grass;Isaiah 48:15I, even I, have spoken; yea, I have called him: I have brought him, and he shall make his way prosperous.Ezekiel 5:8Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I, even I, am against thee, and will execute judgments in the midst of thee in the sight of the nations.Ezekiel 6:3And say, Ye mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Lord GOD; Thus saith the Lord GOD to the mountains, and to the hills, to the rivers, and to the valleys; Behold, I, even I, will bring a sword upon you, and I will destroy your high places.
Historical Context
God's hardening Egyptian hearts to pursue Israel into the sea ensured their destruction. This judicial hardening fulfilled God's purpose to demonstrate His supremacy to all nations.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God sometimes using enemy opposition to accomplish His purposes comfort you in persecution?
- What does God being 'honoured' through judgment teach about His glory displayed in both mercy and wrath?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
God's declaration 'I, behold, I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians' uses emphatic double pronoun (ani hineni, אֲנִי הִנְנִי—I, behold, I), stressing personal divine agency. The purpose: 'they shall follow them' ensures Egypt enters the trap. The outcome: 'I will get me honour upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host, upon his chariots, and upon his horsemen' reveals this as divine glory-display through judgment. God receives honor by demonstrating His power over earth's powers.