Exodus 14:17 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians so that they shall go in after them, and I will get glory over Pharaoh and all his host, his chariots, and his horsemen.

NIV: I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians so that they will go in after them. And I will gain glory through Pharaoh and all his army, through his chariots and his horsemen.

NASB: And as for Me, behold, I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians so that they will go in after them; and I will be honored through Pharaoh and all his army, through his chariots and his horsemen.

CSB: As for me, I am going to harden the hearts of the Egyptians so that they will go in after them, and I will receive glory by means of Pharaoh, all his army, and his chariots and horsemen.

NLT: And I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, and they will charge in after the Israelites. My great glory will be displayed through Pharaoh and his troops, his chariots, and his charioteers.

KJV: And 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.

NKJV: And I indeed will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, and they shall follow them. So I will gain honor over Pharaoh and over all his army, his chariots, and his horsemen.

Egypt's king, the pharaoh, stubbornly resisted God's commands over and over (Exodus 5:2; 7:12, 14, 22; 8:15, 19, 32; 9:7, 34). Eventually, he reached a point where God no longer offered mercy. Instead, the Lord began using Pharaoh as an illustration of divine wrath (Exodus 4:21; 10:1–2). That came by forcing Pharaoh to be even more stubborn: "hardening his heart" so he would choose disaster. This condition was the result of Pharaoh's own choices. He repeatedly chose defiance, and his choices led to permanent consequences (Proverbs 29:1).

Now, Pharaoh has led an army to recapture the enslaved nation he just released (Exodus 14:5–9). God is still demonstrating supernatural power (Exodus 14:19–22). Yet the Egyptians—including their king—will refuse to back down. They will all be destroyed as a result (Exodus 14:23–28). This most likely includes the pharaoh himself. He is leading this group of soldiers (Exodus 14:6). God's purposes here include Pharaoh, the troops, and everyone else in the attacking forces. When this event is over, Israel will be forever beyond the reach of their former masters (Exodus 14:13).

Exodus 14:15–31 records the monumental crossing of the Red Sea. Egypt's king has changed his mind about releasing Israel from slavery (Exodus 14:5–9). God has led the people to the shore of the "Sea of Reeds." This is not the same location as the modern-day Red Sea, but somewhere further north, probably the Gulf of Suez. The supernatural pillar leading Israel (Exodus 13:21–22) moves to block the oncoming soldiers. At God's command, Moses holds out his staff and the sea splits to open a path of dry land with a wall of water on each side. This allows Israel to cross during the night. Egypt's military attempts to follow. Moses again follows God's command to gesture with his staff, and the waters close over the Egyptian soldiers, eliminating every single one. Israel is now free both from slavery and any threat of being taken back by their former oppressors.

God leads Israel (Exodus 13:21–22) to make camp in front of the "Sea of Reeds." This is different from the modern-day Red Sea; it is more likely the Gulf of Suez or the wide Lake Timsah. As in the past (Exodus 8:15, 31–32; 9:34–35; 10:19–20), Pharaoh changes his mind about Israelite freedom. He gathers soldiers to pursue Israel and catches them at the shore. God blocks the incoming attackers and makes a dry path through the sea for Israel's escape. When the Egyptian forces attempt to follow, God closes the walls of water over them, drowning the entire army.

Egypt's king freed Israel after the devastating death of the firstborn on Passover (Exodus 12:29–32). God led the people southeast, rather than along northern roads (Exodus 13:17–18). This brings them the shore of the Sea of Reeds. Pharaoh sends his military to recapture—or annihilate—the Israelites. Instead, the Egyptian army drowns when God allows the Hebrews to cross between parted waters, only to close them when the soldiers pursue. The next chapter is a song of celebration, thanking God for His incredible, miraculous salvation (Exodus 15).

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.