Exodus 7:3
And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and multiply my signs and my wonders in the land of Egypt.
Original Language Analysis
אַקְשֶׁ֖ה
And I will harden
H7185
אַקְשֶׁ֖ה
And I will harden
Strong's:
H7185
Word #:
2 of 12
properly, to be dense, i.e., tough or severe (in various applications)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
3 of 12
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
לֵ֣ב
heart
H3820
לֵ֣ב
heart
Strong's:
H3820
Word #:
4 of 12
the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
7 of 12
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אֹֽתֹתַ֛י
my signs
H226
אֹֽתֹתַ֛י
my signs
Strong's:
H226
Word #:
8 of 12
a signal (literally or figuratively), as a flag, beacon, monument, omen, prodigy, evidence, etc
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
9 of 12
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
מֽוֹפְתַ֖י
and my wonders
H4159
מֽוֹפְתַ֖י
and my wonders
Strong's:
H4159
Word #:
10 of 12
a miracle; by implication, a token or omen
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 11:9And the LORD said unto Moses, Pharaoh shall not hearken unto you; that my wonders may be multiplied in the land of Egypt.Acts 7:36He brought them out, after that he had shewed wonders and signs in the land of Egypt, and in the Red sea, and in the wilderness forty years.Acts 2:22Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:Psalms 135:9Who sent tokens and wonders into the midst of thee, O Egypt, upon Pharaoh, and upon all his servants.Romans 15:19Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.John 4:48Then said Jesus unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe.
Historical Context
The verb qashah (harden) is one of three Hebrew terms for hardening. It emphasizes making severe or difficult, suggesting Pharaoh's obstinacy serves divine purposes. Ancient Near Eastern texts sometimes portrayed divine manipulation of human will.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you understand God's sovereignty working through human responsibility?
- What does Pharaoh's hardening teach about the purpose of opposition?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
God announces 'I will harden Pharaoh's heart' (אַקְשֶׁה, aqsheh—from קָשָׁה, qashah, to make hard/severe). This first use of 'harden' introduces the sovereignty-responsibility tension. God will 'multiply my signs and my wonders in the land of Egypt,' turning Pharaoh's resistance into opportunities for revelation.