Exodus 7:23 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Pharaoh turned and went into his house, and he did not take even this to heart.

NIV: Instead, he turned and went into his palace, and did not take even this to heart.

NASB: Then Pharaoh turned and went into his house with no concern even for this.

CSB: Pharaoh turned around, went into his palace, and didn’t take even this to heart.

NLT: Pharaoh returned to his palace and put the whole thing out of his mind.

KJV: And Pharaoh turned and went into his house, neither did he set his heart to this also.

NKJV: And Pharaoh turned and went into his house. Neither was his heart moved by this.

Pharaoh further proves himself to be a stereotypical tyrant. He oversees brutal slavery (Exodus 1:11–14). He ignores and mocks requests for freedom (Exodus 5:1–5). He retaliates against those who even speak about it (Exodus 5:6–9). He ignores evidence he does not like (Exodus 7:10–13). Here, he appears callous about the damage being done to his people. When the Nile turns into blood (Exodus 7:20–21), his only recorded response is indifference: he goes home. The Hebrew phrase used here contains the same word found when referring to his hardened "heart." This expression could be paraphrased to mean, "it did not affect him," or "he didn't care."

The plagues in Egypt (Exodus 3:19–20) will escalate as they continue. Yet, each time, Pharaoh will find enough stubbornness to refuse to let Israel go (Exodus 5:1–3). Only when the results are intimately personal—the death of his own son (Exodus 4:21–23; 12:29–32)—will he submit. Even then, his pride will only allow this for a short time (Exodus 14:5–7).

Exodus 7:14–25 records the first of the ten great plagues on Egypt (Exodus 3:19–20). Because Pharaoh has refused to free Israel (Exodus 1:11–14), the Lord turns all the water in Egypt—including the Nile, ponds, and artificial pools—into blood. This creates an unsanitary, foul situation. The Egyptians are forced to dig for water. When Egyptian magicians are able to turn water into blood, Pharaoh remains resistant. This terrible plague lasts for an entire week.

God again repeats (Exodus 3:19–20; 4:19–23; 6:6) the basic outline of how Israel will be freed from Egyptian slavery (Exodus 1:11–14). He then commands Moses and Aaron to show Pharaoh one of the miraculous signs given for that purpose (Exodus 4:2–5). Egyptian magicians seem to duplicate the feat, so Pharaoh still refuses to hear Mo-ses' message. This results in the first plague: all water in Egypt, including the Nile river, becomes blood. This lasts seven days. The Lord then tells Moses to repeat the demand for Israel's release.

God commissioned Moses (Exodus 3:10) and commanded him to confront Egypt's ruler, the pharaoh (Exodus 4:19–23). When Moses obeyed (Exodus 5:1–3), the immediate result was even worse oppression for Israel (Exodus 5:19–21). This inspired Moses to doubt (Exodus 5:22–23). The Lord responded with reassurances (Exodus 6:1–8). Chapter 7 completes this declaration and begins the cycle of plagues (Exodus 3:19–20), starting with turning the Nile river into blood. These catastrophes will continue (Exodus 8—11) until Pharaoh finally releases the Israelites (Exodus 12:41).

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.

Accessed 3/28/2025 2:27:06 PM