Exodus 14 4

Exodus 14:4 kjv

And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, that he shall follow after them; and I will be honored upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host; that the Egyptians may know that I am the LORD. And they did so.

Exodus 14:4 nkjv

Then I will harden Pharaoh's heart, so that he will pursue them; and I will gain honor over Pharaoh and over all his army, that the Egyptians may know that I am the LORD." And they did so.

Exodus 14:4 niv

And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and he will pursue them. But I will gain glory for myself through Pharaoh and all his army, and the Egyptians will know that I am the LORD." So the Israelites did this.

Exodus 14:4 esv

And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and he will pursue them, and I will get glory over Pharaoh and all his host, and the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD." And they did so.

Exodus 14:4 nlt

And once again I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and he will chase after you. I have planned this in order to display my glory through Pharaoh and his whole army. After this the Egyptians will know that I am the LORD!" So the Israelites camped there as they were told.

Exodus 14 verses

Exodus 14 4 Meaning

Exodus 14:4 declares God's deliberate intention to harden Pharaoh's heart, leading him to pursue the Israelites. This action is purposed by God to achieve two interconnected goals: first, that God Himself will gain glory and honor through His judgment upon Pharaoh and his entire army; and second, that the Egyptians, observing this mighty act, will come to know and acknowledge Him as Yahweh, the sovereign Lord. It underscores God's complete control and the subservience of human rulers, even those in opposition to Him, to His overarching redemptive plan.

Exodus 14 4 Context

Exodus chapter 14 describes a pivotal moment in the Israelites' journey from slavery in Egypt. After the final plague (the death of the firstborn), Pharaoh finally allowed the Israelites to leave (Ex 12-13). However, God, in His sovereign plan, instructs Moses to change their route, leading them towards the Red Sea (Yam Suph), seemingly trapping them between the sea, the wilderness, and Pharaoh's pursuing army (Ex 14:1-3). This strategic move by God creates a scenario where Pharaoh's forces believe the Israelites are lost and vulnerable, prompting them to regret letting them go and launch a pursuit. Verse 4 explicitly states God's intent behind this: to ensure Pharaoh's pursuit by hardening his heart, thus setting the stage for a spectacular demonstration of God's power, judgment, and ultimately, His self-revelation, not only to Israel but also to the Egyptians themselves. The narrative is a direct theological challenge (a polemic) against the perceived power of Pharaoh and the Egyptian pantheon, showing Yahweh's ultimate supremacy over all creation and rulers.

Exodus 14 4 Word analysis

• I will harden (ואחזקתי - va'akhziqti from חזק, chazaq):

  • Meaning: To be strong, to make strong, to strengthen. In this context, it implies strengthening Pharaoh's resolve or making his heart stubborn, resistant to God's will. It signifies divine enablement or empowerment of an existing wicked inclination, not a creation of evil within Pharaoh.
  • Significance: This verb indicates active divine causation. God is not merely passive or allowing; He is directly involved in solidifying Pharaoh's resistance for His divine purposes.

• Pharaoh's heart (לב פרעה - lev Par'oh):

  • Meaning: In Hebrew thought, the "heart" (lev) refers to the seat of intellect, will, emotions, and moral character.
  • Significance: God is impacting Pharaoh's core being—his will, judgment, and determination. This is not just superficial manipulation but an effect on his innermost motivations.

• so that he will pursue them (וירדף אחריהם - veyirdaf achareihem):

  • Meaning: "And he will chase after them," or "he will pursue behind them."
  • Significance: Directly links God's hardening action to Pharaoh's subsequent behavior. Pharaoh's pursuit is a predictable outcome and an essential component of God's larger plan for a dramatic confrontation.

• and I will gain glory (ואכבדה - va'ikav'dá from כבד, kavad):

  • Meaning: To be heavy, significant, glorious, honored. Here, in the causative (Hiphil/Niphal) form, it means "to glorify myself," "to show my weighty honor," or "to be honored."
  • Significance: This is the ultimate, explicit purpose of the entire setup. God's glory is the supreme motivation for His actions. His power will be visibly and undeniably demonstrated.

• through Pharaoh and all his army (בפרעה ובכל חילו - b'Par'oh uv'khol cheylo):

  • Meaning: "Through" or "by means of" Pharaoh and "all his might/host/army."
  • Significance: Pharaoh and his formidable army, representing the greatest power of the ancient world at that time, become instruments through which God's superior power is revealed, particularly in their downfall.

• and the Egyptians will know that I am the LORD (וידעו מצרים כי אני יהוה - veyad'u Mitzrayim ki ani Yahweh):

  • Meaning: "And Egypt will know that I am Yahweh." "Yahweh" (YHWH) is God's covenant name, signifying His self-existence, eternal being, and covenant faithfulness.
  • Significance: This knowledge is not necessarily salvific conversion for the Egyptians, but a compelling recognition of Yahweh's identity, power, and ultimate authority, contrasting sharply with their own gods and the Pharaoh who claimed divine status. It signifies God's self-revelation through a demonstrative act.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "I will harden Pharaoh's heart so that he will pursue them": This phrase clearly illustrates divine sovereignty. God's action on Pharaoh's heart directly precipitates Pharaoh's fatal choice to pursue, setting up the divine intervention at the sea. It highlights the direct cause-and-effect relationship initiated by God.
  • "and I will gain glory through Pharaoh and all his army, and the Egyptians will know that I am the LORD": This phrase powerfully states the twofold purpose of God's intervention. His ultimate aim is His own glory, manifested through the dramatic judgment of His most powerful human adversary. A byproduct of this glory-demonstration is the compelled recognition of His divine identity and supreme authority by the Egyptians. This underscores the theological truth that even acts of judgment serve to magnify God's name.

Exodus 14 4 Bonus section

The concept of God "hardening" Pharaoh's heart (also expressed as Pharaoh "hardening" his own heart and the hardening occurring "by itself" or being "strong") is a deep theological point. It is not about God forcing an unwilling good person to sin. Instead, it speaks to divine orchestration within the framework of human volition. God uses an existing sinful inclination (Pharaoh's pride, defiance, and self-sufficiency) and brings it to its fullest expression, to achieve His greater purpose. This highlights God's justice in judging an unrepentant heart, while simultaneously showcasing His power and faithfulness in fulfilling His covenant promises to Israel. This event serves as a foundational narrative demonstrating God's ultimate control over all earthly powers and His unwavering commitment to His people, ensuring His name is made great in the eyes of all peoples, whether in worship or forced recognition.

Exodus 14 4 Commentary

Exodus 14:4 is a profound declaration of God's absolute sovereignty and purposeful action in human history. It establishes that Pharaoh, despite his immense power, is merely a pawn in God's grand design. God's "hardening" of Pharaoh's heart is not about creating evil in a neutral being but strengthening an already rebellious will, confirming the course Pharaoh had already chosen. This divine enablement intensifies Pharaoh's opposition, preparing him for a monumental fall that would maximize God's self-revelation.

The verse explicitly states God's twofold ultimate goal: His own glory (kavad) and the recognition of His name, Yahweh, by the Egyptians. God's actions are never without purpose, and here, His purpose is to demonstrate His uniqueness and omnipotence, especially over the gods of Egypt and Pharaoh's false claims to deity. The miraculous deliverance at the Red Sea, directly resulting from this hardened heart and pursuit, becomes an undeniable testament to Yahweh's supremacy. It establishes Him not just as Israel's God, but as the one true sovereign Lord over all nations and creation, whose plans cannot be thwarted.