Exodus 14:4 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And I will harden Pharaoh 's heart, and he will pursue them, and I will get glory over Pharaoh and all his host, and the Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord." And they did so.

NIV: And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and he will pursue them. But I will gain glory for myself through Pharaoh and all his army, and the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord." So the Israelites did this.

NASB: And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and he will chase after them; and I will be honored through Pharaoh and all his army, and the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord.' And they did so.

CSB: I will harden Pharaoh’s heart so that he will pursue them. Then I will receive glory by means of Pharaoh and all his army, and the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord." So the Israelites did this.

NLT: And once again I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and he will chase after you. I have planned this in order to display my glory through Pharaoh and his whole army. After this the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord!' So the Israelites camped there as they were told.

KJV: And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, that he shall follow after them; and I will be honoured upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host; that the Egyptians may know that I am the Lord. And they did so.

NKJV: Then I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, so that he will pursue them; and I will gain honor over Pharaoh and over all his army, that the Egyptians may know that I am the Lord.” And they did so.

Before Moses came to demand Israel's freedom, the Lord promised to "harden" Egypt's king against cooperation (Exodus 4:21). God would prevent Pharaoh from obeying, so miracles could demonstrate the Lord's power (Exodus 3:19–20; 10:1–2). However, God did not apply this "hardening" until after Pharaoh repeatedly chose defiance (Exodus 5:2; 7:12, 14, 22; 8:15, 19, 32; 9:7, 34; 10:10). That included blatantly breaking his own word (Exodus 8:15, 31–32; 9:34–35). Only after Pharaoh passed this point of no return (Proverbs 29:1) did the Lord interfere with the king's free will (Exodus 14:8).

God will use Pharaoh, one last time, as a demonstration of divine power in rescuing Israel from Egypt. Egyptian soldiers will pursue the Hebrews and encounter them by the seashore (Exodus 14:1–2). Thinking the Israelites are lost (Exodus 14:3) and regretting letting them go (Exodus 14:5–7), Pharoah will launch an attack. This will be a spectacular failure (Exodus 14:21–28) and an historic moment in the history of God's chosen people (Deuteronomy 14:2).

Exodus 14:1–14 explains how Israel came to the seashore not long after being released from slavery in Egypt (Exodus 12:40–41). Pharaoh, Egypt's king, once again changes his mind about releasing his slaves (Exodus 1:11–14). He sends the Egyptian army after the Israelites. The fleeing people are frightened, but Moses reassures them. This will be the last time Egypt troubles their people.

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.