Exodus 9:12

ESV But the Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh, and he did not listen to them, as the Lord had spoken to Moses.

NIV But the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart and he would not listen to Moses and Aaron, just as the Lord had said to Moses.

NASB But the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he did not listen to them, just as the Lord had spoken to Moses.

CSB But the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart and he did not listen to them, as the Lord had told Moses.

NLT But the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and just as the Lord had predicted to Moses, Pharaoh refused to listen.

KJV And the Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh, and he hearkened not unto them; as the Lord had spoken unto Moses.

NKJV But the Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh; and he did not heed them, just as the Lord had spoken to Moses.

What does Exodus 9:12 mean?

This final verse concerning the sixth plague (Exodus 9:8–11) summarizes Pharaoh's response. Here, for the first time, we see the Lord actively interfering with Pharaoh's mindset. God promised to "harden" the Egyptian king (Exodus 4:21; 7:3–4) to use him as an example. To this point, however, Pharaoh has chosen stubbornness of his own free will (Exodus 5:2; 7:13–14, 22; 8:15, 19, 32; 9:7). Now, after ignoring another obvious miracle (Exodus 9:5–6), he is about to become an object of God's wrath.

This will lead to the next plague: a terrifying storm of hail and lightning (Exodus 9:24–25). Afterward, Pharaoh will once again make his own choice to ignore the Lord (Exodus 9:34–35). From then on, he will be entirely given over (Proverbs 29:1) to his fate as a living warning (Exodus 10:1, 20, 27; 11:10; 14:8). The king defied God over and over. Eventually, his opportunities for mercy were lost. Everything which happens to Pharaoh after the next plague is entirely the result of his own obstinate sin.

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