1 Samuel 6 6

1 Samuel 6:6 kjv

Wherefore then do ye harden your hearts, as the Egyptians and Pharaoh hardened their hearts? when he had wrought wonderfully among them, did they not let the people go, and they departed?

1 Samuel 6:6 nkjv

Why then do you harden your hearts as the Egyptians and Pharaoh hardened their hearts? When He did mighty things among them, did they not let the people go, that they might depart?

1 Samuel 6:6 niv

Why do you harden your hearts as the Egyptians and Pharaoh did? When Israel's god dealt harshly with them, did they not send the Israelites out so they could go on their way?

1 Samuel 6:6 esv

Why should you harden your hearts as the Egyptians and Pharaoh hardened their hearts? After he had dealt severely with them, did they not send the people away, and they departed?

1 Samuel 6:6 nlt

Don't be stubborn and rebellious as Pharaoh and the Egyptians were. By the time God was finished with them, they were eager to let Israel go.

1 Samuel 6 verses

1 Samuel 6 6 Meaning

1 Samuel 6:6 serves as a pragmatic warning from the Philistine priests and diviners to their own people. They advise against hardening their hearts and resisting the God of Israel, citing the example of the Egyptians and Pharaoh. Their counsel implies that resistance to the clear will of God is futile, self-destructive, and will only result in severe and protracted divine judgment until compliance is achieved. It underscores the profound consequences of delaying obedience to divine commands.

1 Samuel 6 6 Context

This verse appears at a critical juncture where the Philistines, having captured the Ark of the Covenant, are suffering greatly from diseases (tumors) and rodent infestation (1 Sam 5). After witnessing the destructive power of the Ark and their god Dagon's humiliation, their lords and priests consult their own diviners. 1 Samuel 6:6 contains the direct counsel of these Philistine religious leaders. They draw a historical parallel between their current situation and the Exodus account, advising their countrymen not to repeat Pharaoh's error of obstinately resisting the God of Israel. They pragmatically recognize that continued defiance against a God who proved His power so convincingly in Egypt will only lead to further devastation. The historical context showcases the reputation of Yahweh, even among pagan nations, demonstrating His sovereign power over all peoples and false gods.

1 Samuel 6 6 Word analysis

• Why then do you harden your hearts: The Hebrew word for "harden" is kabad (כָּבַד), meaning "to be heavy," "to make dull," or "to be burdensome." Here, it implies making the heart heavy and unresponsive, an active, willful resistance to what is clear. This refers to a deliberate choice by the Philistines, drawing on the well-known motif of Pharaoh's resistance to God's will.
• as the Egyptians and Pharaoh hardened their hearts?: This explicitly connects the Philistine's potential choice to the historical example of Egypt. It's a recognition of the collective stubbornness not just of the king, but also the nation that endured the plagues. The comparison highlights the severe consequences of defying Yahweh.
• When He had dealt with them rebelliously,: The Hebrew word hithʻalel (הִתְעַלֵּל) from the root ʻalal means "to deal ruthlessly," "to treat violently," or "to do something severely and scornfully." It denotes God's powerful, punitive, and utterly overwhelming actions against the Egyptians through the plagues. It conveys a sense of God breaking them down by force, showing utter contempt for their defiance.
• did they not let the people go, and they departed?: This is a rhetorical question that expects an emphatic "yes." It underlines the undeniable outcome of God's power in the Exodus – despite all resistance, Pharaoh eventually had to yield. This serves as a warning that any current resistance by the Philistines will also be ultimately futile and costly.
• Word-Group Analysis:
  • "harden your hearts as the Egyptians and Pharaoh hardened their hearts": This phrase emphasizes the core message: human stubbornness in the face of divine revelation or action is a recurring pattern that always leads to severe consequences. The Philistines' leaders are remarkably wise in applying historical theological lessons to their immediate crisis, demonstrating that divine judgment on Pharaoh was known beyond Israel's borders.
  • "When He had dealt with them rebelliously, did they not let the people go, and they departed?": This underscores God's absolute sovereignty and the futility of resistance. God's severe judgment (the plagues) forced the Egyptians' hand, resulting in Israel's liberation. This serves as a chilling prophecy to the Philistines that the same powerful God will achieve His will, even through their suffering, if they choose defiance.

1 Samuel 6 6 Bonus section

The fact that Philistine diviners are referencing the Exodus account with such theological accuracy is striking. It indicates that the renown of Yahweh and His mighty acts in Egypt were widely known even among surrounding pagan nations, demonstrating the powerful witness of those events. This indirectly testifies to God's self-revelation being universal and not confined solely to Israel. It highlights God's sovereignty over pagan rulers and nations (like Pharaoh, and now the Philistines themselves), emphasizing that even those who worship false gods can be brought to acknowledge Yahweh's power, sometimes through pragmatic self-preservation. This recognition by enemies of God foreshadows similar acknowledgments throughout Scripture, such as Rahab's fear (Josh 2:9-11) or Nebuchadnezzar's eventual worship (Dan 4).

1 Samuel 6 6 Commentary

1 Samuel 6:6 is a pivotal verse showing the Philistines' unexpected theological astuteness. Their diviners understood the character of Israel's God from past events and advised a course of action based on this knowledge. The core message is clear: when faced with the undeniable power and will of the true God, stubborn resistance is not just foolish but brings intensified and prolonged suffering. Pharaoh’s case, well-known in the ancient Near East, became the archetypal example of the cost of defiance against divine power. This demonstrates God’s renown and sovereignty extending even to those who oppose Him, ensuring that His will ultimately prevails, regardless of human or national resistance. The wisdom shared by the pagan priests serves as a profound, albeit indirect, testament to the reality of God's power and a timeless warning against hardened hearts in the face of truth.