Exodus 9:12 - Printer Friendly

ESV: But the Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh, and he did not listen to them, as the Lord had spoken to Moses.

NIV: But the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart and he would not listen to Moses and Aaron, just as the Lord had said to Moses.

NASB: But the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he did not listen to them, just as the Lord had spoken to Moses.

CSB: But the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart and he did not listen to them, as the Lord had told Moses.

NLT: But the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and just as the Lord had predicted to Moses, Pharaoh refused to listen.

KJV: And the Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh, and he hearkened not unto them; as the Lord had spoken unto Moses.

NKJV: But the Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh; and he did not heed them, just as the Lord had spoken to Moses.

This final verse concerning the sixth plague (Exodus 9:8–11) summarizes Pharaoh's response. Here, for the first time, we see the Lord actively interfering with Pharaoh's mindset. God promised to "harden" the Egyptian king (Exodus 4:21; 7:3–4) to use him as an example. To this point, however, Pharaoh has chosen stubbornness of his own free will (Exodus 5:2; 7:13–14, 22; 8:15, 19, 32; 9:7). Now, after ignoring another obvious miracle (Exodus 9:5–6), he is about to become an object of God's wrath.

This will lead to the next plague: a terrifying storm of hail and lightning (Exodus 9:24–25). Afterward, Pharaoh will once again make his own choice to ignore the Lord (Exodus 9:34–35). From then on, he will be entirely given over (Proverbs 29:1) to his fate as a living warning (Exodus 10:1, 20, 27; 11:10; 14:8). The king defied God over and over. Eventually, his opportunities for mercy were lost. Everything which happens to Pharaoh after the next plague is entirely the result of his own obstinate sin.

Exodus 9:8–12 records the sixth plague (Exodus 3:20), involving skin lesions and sores. Up until now, Pharaoh has been deliberately obstinate and hard-headed (Exodus 5:2; 7:13–14, 22; 8:15, 19, 32; 9:7). He has ignored every command from God and each sign of divine power. In this passage, Pharaoh nears a point of no return (Proverbs 29:1). As promised (Exodus 4:21), the Lord makes an example of Egypt's ruler by making the Egyptian king even more headstrong. This will lead to an exceptional display of divine power: an epic hailstorm.

After four devastating plagues, Pharaoh continues to resist God's command to free the Hebrew slaves. Through Moses, the Lord sends two more: death of Egyptian livestock and an epidemic of skin lesions. Pharoah refuses to respond to the first, and God makes him stubborn after the second. This leads to the most terrifying sign yet: the seventh plague of hail and fire. Pharoah claims to repent. Yet as soon as the hail stops, he again chooses obstinance. After this, the Lord will use Pharaoh as a tool to demonstrate divine judgment.

Moses and Aaron brought the Lord's command that Pharaoh should release Hebrew slaves (Exodus 5:1–4). Over and over, Egypt's king was obstinate. This resulted in divine plagues meant to demonstrate God's power and authority (Exodus 7:20; 8:6, 17, 24). In this chapter, God sends three more disasters: a plague on livestock, an epidemic of skin sores, and an obliterating storm of hail and lightning. Pharaoh will once again choose stubbornness, passing a point of no return (Proverbs 29:1). For the remaining plagues (Exodus 10—12) and after (Exodus 14:4), Pharaoh will be a living example of the Lord's divine judgment (Exodus 4:21).

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 2:31:52 PM