Exodus 10 27

Exodus 10:27 kjv

But the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart, and he would not let them go.

Exodus 10:27 nkjv

But the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart, and he would not let them go.

Exodus 10:27 niv

But the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart, and he was not willing to let them go.

Exodus 10:27 esv

But the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart, and he would not let them go.

Exodus 10:27 nlt

But the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart once more, and he would not let them go.

Exodus 10 verses

Exodus 10 27 Meaning

Exodus 10:27 states that "But the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart, and he would not let them go." This verse marks a definitive moment in the Exodus narrative where God actively confirms and solidifies Pharaoh's ongoing defiance. Despite numerous plagues and Moses' demands, Pharaoh's will remains unyielding, a state attributed here to God's sovereign action, which prevents him from releasing the Israelites and thus sets the stage for the final, climactic judgment.

Exodus 10 27 Context

Exodus chapter 10 recounts the eighth (locusts) and ninth (darkness) plagues against Egypt. Prior to verse 27, Moses and Aaron had already announced the plague of darkness (vv. 21-23), which covered Egypt for three days, but the Israelites had light in their dwellings. During this terrifying darkness, Pharaoh again summoned Moses and offered a new compromise: the Israelites could go, but their flocks and herds must remain behind (vv. 24-25). Moses rejected this offer outright, insisting that not a single hoof should remain (v. 26), as all livestock would be needed for sacrifices to the LORD. Pharaoh, enraged by Moses' refusal to compromise, dismissed him, warning that seeing his face again would mean death. It is in this precise moment of heightened tension and Pharaoh's resolute defiance that verse 27 declares the LORD's intervention to harden Pharaoh's heart, thus ensuring the final, climactic confrontation. This consistent cycle of plague, Pharaoh's promise, Pharaoh's compromise, Moses' rejection, and Pharaoh's renewed obstinacy culminates in this declaration of divine hardening, setting the stage for the Passover and the tenth plague.

Exodus 10 27 Word analysis

• But: This conjunctive particle often signals a transition or an emphatic contrast. Here, it marks the pivotal shift where the divine hand intervenes more explicitly to ensure Pharaoh's persistent refusal, contrasting with Pharaoh's prior acts of self-hardening.

• the LORD: In Hebrew, יְהוָה (YHWH), the covenant name of God. This emphasizes that it is not merely fate or chance, but the personal, sovereign God of Israel who is actively involved in this specific action, ensuring His plans are carried out and His power revealed. This is the God who fulfills His promises and executes judgment.

• hardened: The Hebrew word here is וַיְחַזֵּק (vay'khazek), from the root חָזַק (khazaq), meaning "to be strong," "to make firm," "to strengthen." It is in the Piel imperfect consecutive, signifying an active, direct action. Unlike some other instances where Pharaoh hardens his own heart, here the action is explicitly attributed to YHWH. This hardening can be understood as God strengthening Pharaoh's pre-existing stubborn will, confirming him in his chosen path of rebellion, and thereby utilizing his defiance for His own glorious purposes. This act ensures that God's power will be further demonstrated through more plagues and ultimate deliverance.

• Pharaoh's heart: In Hebrew, לֵב פַּרְעֹה (lev Par'oh). "Heart" (לֵב - lev) in biblical thought signifies the inner being – the intellect, will, emotions, and moral core. It's not just the physical organ, but the seat of thought and decision-making. "Pharaoh's heart" refers to his entire inner disposition, his determined mind and will, which had become rigid in defiance against God. The emphasis on the heart highlights the deep-seated nature of his resistance.

• and he would not let them go: The Hebrew uses וְלֹא אִבָּה לְשַׁלְּחָם (w'lo' 'ibbah l'shallecham), meaning "and he was not willing to send them." The verb אָבָה ('abah) means "to be willing," "to consent," "to desire." This phrase expresses Pharaoh's complete lack of compliance, his resolute unwillingness stemming directly from the state of his hardened heart. It underlines the human manifestation of the divine hardening, where Pharaoh remains fixed in his rebellion. This refusal is the immediate and continued obstacle to Israel's freedom, serving as the direct trigger for the subsequent divine judgment.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "But the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart": This powerful statement reveals a core theological principle: divine sovereignty over human will. It highlights that even in human obstinacy, God's hand is ultimately at work to achieve His purposes. This isn't about God making a good man evil, but about God intensifying the already existing stubbornness of Pharaoh, ensuring that His plans for judgment and demonstration of power are fulfilled (as declared in Ex 9:16). This direct divine intervention ensures the dramatic climax of the Exodus narrative. It also serves as a polemic against Egyptian gods; it is YHWH, not any Egyptian deity, who ultimately controls the will of even the most powerful human ruler.
  • "and he would not let them go": This phrase describes the practical consequence and visible evidence of the hardened heart. Pharaoh's continued, absolute refusal despite the devastating plagues and increasing pressure demonstrates the completeness of his hardened state. It illustrates the futility of human resistance against the divine will when God has set a purpose. This ongoing refusal necessitated the final, devastating plague, through which God's ultimate supremacy would be displayed.

Exodus 10 27 Bonus section

• The progression of heart hardening in Exodus is crucial: Initially, Pharaoh hardens his own heart (e.g., Ex 7:13; 8:15, 32; 9:34). Then, the narrative often switches to "the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart" (Ex 4:21; 9:12; 10:1, 20, 27; 11:10; 14:4, 8). This pattern suggests that God solidifies or strengthens a will that is already determinedly rebellious, leveraging human evil for His own divine redemptive purposes.
• The repetition of this theme of hardening ensures that the Exodus account is understood not as a series of coincidences, but as a divinely orchestrated drama where every act of resistance serves to further reveal God's unmatched power and fulfill His sovereign plan to bring His people out.

Exodus 10 27 Commentary

Exodus 10:27 concisely conveys a critical truth of the Exodus narrative: the ultimate control of God over human affairs, even over the will of a defiant ruler. Pharaoh's numerous self-hardening actions had brought him to a point of no return. Here, God actively confirms and intensifies that self-chosen obstinacy, not for caprice, but to fulfill His grand purpose. This divine hardening serves as an essential instrument for magnifying God's glory and power, particularly in delivering Israel and demonstrating His superiority over all the gods of Egypt. Pharaoh becomes a chosen vessel through whom God’s attributes – justice, power, and mercy for His people – are spectacularly revealed. This verse, following the cycle of plague and refusal, definitively signals that a peaceful resolution is impossible and prepares the reader for the final, most catastrophic plague that will compel Israel’s release.