Exodus 4:21
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.
Original Language Analysis
יְהוָה֮
And the LORD
H3068
יְהוָה֮
And the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
2 of 24
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
בְּלֶכְתְּךָ֙
H1980
בְּלֶכְתְּךָ֙
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
5 of 24
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
לָשׁ֣וּב
to return
H7725
לָשׁ֣וּב
to return
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
6 of 24
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
רְאֵ֗ה
see
H7200
רְאֵ֗ה
see
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
8 of 24
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
9 of 24
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הַמֹּֽפְתִים֙
all those wonders
H4159
הַמֹּֽפְתִים֙
all those wonders
Strong's:
H4159
Word #:
10 of 24
a miracle; by implication, a token or omen
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
11 of 24
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
שַׂ֣מְתִּי
which I have put
H7760
שַׂ֣מְתִּי
which I have put
Strong's:
H7760
Word #:
12 of 24
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
בְיָדֶ֔ךָ
in thine hand
H3027
בְיָדֶ֔ךָ
in thine hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
13 of 24
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
וַֽעֲשִׂיתָ֖ם
that thou do
H6213
וַֽעֲשִׂיתָ֖ם
that thou do
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
14 of 24
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
לִפְנֵ֣י
before
H6440
לִפְנֵ֣י
before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
15 of 24
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
אֲחַזֵּ֣ק
but I will harden
H2388
אֲחַזֵּ֣ק
but I will harden
Strong's:
H2388
Word #:
18 of 24
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 #:
19 of 24
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
לִבּ֔וֹ
his heart
H3820
לִבּ֔וֹ
his heart
Strong's:
H3820
Word #:
20 of 24
the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything
וְלֹ֥א
H3808
וְלֹ֥א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
21 of 24
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יְשַׁלַּ֖ח
go
H7971
יְשַׁלַּ֖ח
go
Strong's:
H7971
Word #:
22 of 24
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
Cross References
Romans 9:18Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.Isaiah 63:17O 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.Joshua 11:20For it was of the LORD to harden their hearts, that they should come against Israel in battle, that he might destroy them utterly, and that they might have no favour, but that he might destroy them, as the LORD commanded Moses.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.John 12:40He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them.Exodus 3:20And I will stretch out my hand, and smite Egypt with all my wonders which I will do in the midst thereof: and after that he will let you go.Exodus 7:13And he hardened Pharaoh's heart, that he hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had said.Exodus 9:12And the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh, and he hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had spoken unto Moses.Exodus 10:20But the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart, so that he would not let the children of Israel go.Exodus 7:3And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and multiply my signs and my wonders in the land of Egypt.
Historical Context
The hardening theme raises theological questions about divine sovereignty and human responsibility. Paul addresses this in Romans 9:14-24, arguing God has right to show both wrath (Pharaoh) and mercy (Israel) to display His glory. The multiple plagues served pedagogical purpose—demonstrating YHWH's supremacy over all Egyptian gods systematically. Pharaoh's hardening ensured full revelation of God's power.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Pharaoh's hardening teach about the judicial consequences of persistent rebellion against God's revealed will?
- What does God's advance warning to Moses about Pharaoh's hardening teach about trusting God's purposes when circumstances seem to worsen despite obedience?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
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 (וַיֹּאמֶר יְהוָה אֶל־מֹשֶׁה בְּלֶכְתְּךָ לָשׁוּב מִצְרַיְמָה רְאֵה כָּל־הַמֹּפְתִים אֲשֶׁר־שַׂמְתִּי בְיָדֶךָ וַעֲשִׂיתָם לִפְנֵי פַרְעֹה וַאֲנִי אֲחַזֵּק אֶת־לִבּוֹ וְלֹא יְשַׁלַּח אֶת־הָעָם)—God previews the confrontation: do all those wonders before Pharaoh—the signs aren't just for Israel but for Egypt. But I will harden his heart (וַאֲנִי אֲחַזֵּק אֶת־לִבּוֹ, va'ani achazek et-libo)—the famous problem of Pharaoh's hardening. The Hebrew uses three verbs throughout Exodus: חָזַק (chazak, "strengthen/harden"), כָּבֵד (kaved, "make heavy"), and קָשָׁה (kashah, "make stiff"). Sometimes Pharaoh hardens his own heart (8:15, 32; 9:34), sometimes God hardens it (9:12; 10:20, 27; 11:10). Both are true: God's judicial hardening confirms Pharaoh's chosen rebellion (Romans 9:17-18). God will use Pharaoh's obstinacy to multiply signs, displaying His glory before Egypt and Israel (7:3-5).