Exodus 7:13
And he hardened Pharaoh's heart, that he hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had said.
Original Language Analysis
וַיֶּֽחֱזַק֙
And he hardened
H2388
וַיֶּֽחֱזַק֙
And he hardened
Strong's:
H2388
Word #:
1 of 9
to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous, causatively strengthen, cure, help, repair, fortify), obstinate; to bind, restra
לֵ֣ב
heart
H3820
לֵ֣ב
heart
Strong's:
H3820
Word #:
2 of 9
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 #:
4 of 9
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
שָׁמַ֖ע
that he hearkened
H8085
שָׁמַ֖ע
that he hearkened
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
5 of 9
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֖ר
H834
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֖ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
7 of 9
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
Cross References
Exodus 4:21And 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.Exodus 8:15But when Pharaoh saw that there was respite, he hardened his heart, and hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had said.Hebrews 3:13But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.Exodus 10:20But the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart, so that he would not let the children of Israel go.Exodus 10:27But the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart, and he would not let them go.Exodus 10:1And the LORD said unto Moses, Go in unto Pharaoh: for I have hardened his heart, and the heart of his servants, that I might shew these my signs before him:Romans 2:5But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;Romans 1:28And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
Historical Context
Written by Moses around 1446 BC, recording events from Egypt's New Kingdom period. Pharaoh's hardened heart represents Egypt's systematic oppression of Israel for 430 years. The plagues demonstrate YHWH's supremacy over Egypt's pantheon—each plague targets specific Egyptian deities.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's hardening of Pharaoh's heart relate to human free will and divine sovereignty?
- In what ways might persistent sin 'harden' your own heart against God's voice?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
He hardened Pharaoh's heart (וַיֶּחֱזַק לֵב־פַּרְעֹה, vayekhezaq lev-par'oh)—the verb חָזַק (khazaq) means to strengthen, harden, or make obstinate. This is the first of three Hebrew verbs describing Pharaoh's hardening (also קָשָׁה qashah and כָּבֵד kaved), revealing both divine sovereignty and human responsibility.
The text oscillates between God hardening Pharaoh's heart and Pharaoh hardening his own heart (Exodus 8:15, 32), presenting the mystery of divine judgment working through human rebellion. Paul references this in Romans 9:17-18 to demonstrate God's sovereign right to show mercy or judgment. As the LORD had said confirms God's foreknowledge (Exodus 4:21; 7:3) and His control over history's outcome.