Exodus 10:20 - Printer Friendly

ESV: But the Lord hardened Pharaoh 's heart, and he did not let the people of Israel go.

NIV: But the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he would not let the Israelites go.

NASB: But the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he did not let the sons of Israel go.

CSB: But the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he did not let the Israelites go.

NLT: But the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart again, so he refused to let the people go.

KJV: But the Lord hardened Pharaoh's heart, so that he would not let the children of Israel go.

NKJV: But the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he did not let the children of Israel go.

The final words regarding the eighth plague (Exodus 7:21; 8:6, 17, 24; 9:6, 10, 24; 10:14) follow a familiar pattern. Several times, Egypt's Pharaoh broke his promise to release Hebrew slaves (Exodus 8:15, 31–32; 9:34–35). Eventually, this led to a terrible form of judgment (Proverbs 29:1): becoming a warning to all of history. God has now begun to ensure that Pharaoh rejects Israelite freedom (Exodus 10:1–2). From now on, Egypt's king will suffer the consequences of his constant stubbornness, without any meaningful hope to avoid judgment (Exodus 10:27; 11:10; 14:4).

It's important to note all that happened before this moment. God predicted that He would make Pharaoh resistant (Exodus 4:21), so that the world would see proof of divine power (Exodus 3:20; 7:3–5). Up until now, obstinance and disobedience have been Pharaoh's own choice—with only one exception (Exodus 9:12). He has been described as being "hardened" or "having" a stubborn will numerous times (Exodus 7:13, 14, 22; 8:19). The Lord's choice to use Pharaoh as an illustration of divine wrath was brought on by Pharaoh's own free will.

Exodus 10:12–20 describes the eighth plague, an unimaginable cloud of locusts. These are grasshoppers which respond to weather patterns by spawning a generation of aggressive, hungry, fertile, insects who travel in close-packed swarms. This event is beyond anything ever seen before or since. Locusts completely cover the ground and eat every leaf, stem, and fruit which survived the plague of hail (Exodus 9:31–32). Pharaoh again begs for mercy, obtains it, and then goes back on his word to release the Israelites.

Moses warns Pharaoh that an eighth plague will come if the Hebrew slaves are not set free. This will be the worst locust invasion the nation will ever see. Pharaoh's advisors beg him to negotiate. He offers to release only Israelite men, which Moses rejects. The locust plague eradicates everything that survived the earlier hailstorm. Pharaoh pleads for relief, only to break his promise once again when the danger has passed. Next come three days of intense darkness. Pharaoh once again tries to arrange a partial release. When Moses refuses, Pharaoh threatens to kill him if he ever comes back.

Seven times, God has sent supernatural judgment against the nation of Egypt (Exodus 7—9). Each time, Pharaoh has refused to obey God's command to release the Israelite slaves. As a result, God will no longer give Pharaoh the ability to repent (Proverbs 29:1). Despite an epic, devastating locust invasion and three days of darkness, Pharaoh still refuses to submit. Rather, he threatens Moses with death. This will lead Moses to predict the last and worst of the ten plagues (Exodus 11). The tragic death of Egypt's firstborn during the Passover (Exodus 12) will finally lead to Israelite freedom.

The book of Exodus establishes God's covenant relationship with the full-fledged nation of Israel. The descendants of Abraham prosper after settling in Egypt, only to be enslaved by a fearful, hateful Egyptian Pharaoh. God appoints Moses to lead the people out of this bondage. Moses serves as God's spokesman, as the Lord brings plagues and judgments on Egypt, leading to the release of Israel.