Exodus 7:3 - Printer Friendly

ESV: But I will harden Pharaoh 's heart, and though I multiply my signs and wonders in the land of Egypt,

NIV: But I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and though I multiply my signs and wonders in Egypt,

NASB: But I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, so that I may multiply My signs and My wonders in the land of Egypt.

CSB: But I will harden Pharaoh’s heart and multiply my signs and wonders in the land of Egypt.

NLT: But I will make Pharaoh’s heart stubborn so I can multiply my miraculous signs and wonders in the land of Egypt.

KJV: And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and multiply my signs and my wonders in the land of Egypt.

NKJV: And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and multiply My signs and My wonders in the land of Egypt.

When giving this mission to Moses (Exodus 3:19–20), the Lord indicated that He would make Pharoah resistant. The purpose was to make a greater example out of Egypt and its ruler (Exodus 4:21). Taken all by itself, this seems unfair: that God is punishing someone for a choice they didn't make.

However, the book of Exodus indicates that Pharaoh's stubbornness is his own. With no pressure from the Lord, He rejects divine miracles and divine messages (Exodus 5:6–9). It is only after many such incidents (Exodus 7:14, 22; 8:15, 19, 32; 9:7) that we read of God working to use Pharaoh as an illustration of God's own power (Exodus 9:12; 10:1, 20, 27; 14:8). This demonstrates the warning of Proverbs 29:1, that those who constantly resist the Lord will reach a point of no return.

Exodus 7:1–7 completes the encouragement and summary which began in chapter 6. God intends to free Israel (Exodus 1:11–14) through spectacular miracles. These will demonstrate His power. Moses and Aaron (Exodus 4:14–16) will obey, despite both men being more than eighty years old.

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 7/3/2025 1:08:36 PM