Exodus 14:8
And 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.
Original Language Analysis
וַיְחַזֵּ֣ק
hardened
H2388
וַיְחַזֵּ֣ק
hardened
Strong's:
H2388
Word #:
1 of 16
to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous, causatively strengthen, cure, help, repair, fortify), obstinate; to bind, restra
יְהוָֹ֗ה
And the LORD
H3068
יְהוָֹ֗ה
And the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
2 of 16
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
3 of 16
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
לֵ֤ב
the heart
H3820
לֵ֤ב
the heart
Strong's:
H3820
Word #:
4 of 16
the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything
וַיִּרְדֹּ֕ף
and he pursued
H7291
וַיִּרְדֹּ֕ף
and he pursued
Strong's:
H7291
Word #:
8 of 16
to run after (usually with hostile intent; figuratively [of time] gone by)
אַֽחֲרֵ֖י
after
H310
אַֽחֲרֵ֖י
after
Strong's:
H310
Word #:
9 of 16
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
וּבְנֵ֣י
and the children
H1121
וּבְנֵ֣י
and the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
10 of 16
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
11 of 16
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
וּבְנֵ֣י
and the children
H1121
וּבְנֵ֣י
and the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
12 of 16
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
13 of 16
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
יֹֽצְאִ֖ים
went out
H3318
יֹֽצְאִ֖ים
went out
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
14 of 16
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
Cross References
Acts 13:17The God of this people of Israel chose our fathers, and exalted the people when they dwelt as strangers in the land of Egypt, and with an high arm brought he them out of it.Numbers 33:3And they departed from Rameses in the first month, on the fifteenth day of the first month; on the morrow after the passover the children of Israel went out with an high hand in the sight of all the Egyptians.Exodus 6:1Then the LORD said unto Moses, Now shalt thou see what I will do to Pharaoh: for with a strong hand shall he let them go, and with a strong hand shall he drive them out of his land.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 13:16And it shall be for a token upon thine hand, and for frontlets between thine eyes: for by strength of hand the LORD brought us forth out of Egypt.Deuteronomy 26:8And the LORD brought us forth out of Egypt with a mighty hand, and with an outstretched arm, and with great terribleness, and with signs, and with wonders:Psalms 86:13For great is thy mercy toward me: and thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell.Exodus 13:18But God led the people about, through the way of the wilderness of the Red sea: and the children of Israel went up harnessed out of the land of Egypt.Exodus 13:9And it shall be for a sign unto thee upon thine hand, and for a memorial between thine eyes, that the LORD'S law may be in thy mouth: for with a strong hand hath the LORD brought thee out of Egypt.Deuteronomy 32:27Were it not that I feared the wrath of the enemy, lest their adversaries should behave themselves strangely, and lest they should say, Our hand is high, and the LORD hath not done all this.
Historical Context
Israel's confident departure, organized as 'armies' (Exodus 12:51), contrasted with fleeing refugees. This boldness, given by God, provoked Pharaoh's pursuit—which God orchestrated for His purposes.
Questions for Reflection
- How does bold Christian confidence sometimes provoke opposition that God uses for His purposes?
- What does God hardening Pharaoh's heart teach about sovereignty even over enemy decisions?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The phrase 'the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh' reiterates divine sovereignty over the enemy's will. Egypt pursues 'the children of Israel' because 'the children of Israel went out with an high hand.' The expression 'ramah yad' (רָמָה יָד—high hand) means boldly, defiantly, openly. Israel's confident departure provoked Egypt's pride. God uses their bold freedom to bait the trap that will destroy Egypt's army.