And he hardened Pharaoh’s heart, that he hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had said.
Parallel translations
- WEB Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he didn’t listen to them; as Yahweh had spoken.
- BSB Still, Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he would not listen to them, just as the LORD had said.
- NKJV And Pharaoh’s heart grew hard, and he did not heed them, as the Lord had said.
- NASB Yet Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he did not listen to them, just as the Lord had said.
- NLT Pharaoh’s heart, however, remained hard. He still refused to listen, just as the Lord had predicted.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Pharaoh's heart is hardened and he refuses to listen, as God foretold. His defiance opens the way for the plagues.
Overview
Despite the clear demonstration of Yahweh's superiority, Pharaoh remains obstinate, fulfilling God's earlier word. The hardening shows that mere displays of power do not soften a rebellious heart apart from grace. Pharaoh stands as a sobering example that resisting God's word leads deeper into judgment, underscoring humanity's need for the new heart that only God can give.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 13
- Exod 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.
- Exod 8:15But when Pharaoh saw that there was respite, he hardened his heart, and hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had said.
- Zech 7:11–12But they refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their ears, that they should not hear.
- Exod 10:27But the LORD hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he would not let them go.
- Exod 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:
- Rom 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;
- Exod 10:20But the LORD hardened Pharaoh’s heart, so that he would not let the children of Israel go.
- Heb 3:13But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
- Heb 3:7–8Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice,
- Rom 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;
- Exod 7:3–4And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and multiply my signs and my wonders in the land of Egypt.
- Deut 2:30But Sihon king of Heshbon would not let us pass by him: for the LORD thy God hardened his spirit, and made his heart obstinate, that he might deliver him into thy hand, as appeareth this day.
- Exod 14:17And 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.
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Christ at the center
The Passover lamb whose blood turns away death, the exodus through the sea, the manna, the rock, and the tabernacle where God dwells with his people all foreshadow Jesus — our Passover, our redemption, the bread from heaven, and God-with-us in the flesh.
How Exodus 7:13 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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