Exodus 14 8

Exodus 14:8 kjv

And the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he pursued after the children of Israel: and the children of Israel went out with an high hand.

Exodus 14:8 nkjv

And the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he pursued the children of Israel; and the children of Israel went out with boldness.

Exodus 14:8 niv

The LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, so that he pursued the Israelites, who were marching out boldly.

Exodus 14:8 esv

And the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he pursued the people of Israel while the people of Israel were going out defiantly.

Exodus 14:8 nlt

The LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, so he chased after the people of Israel, who had left with fists raised in defiance.

Exodus 14 verses

Exodus 14 8 Meaning

Exodus 14:8 reveals the divine orchestration of events leading to Pharaoh's pursuit of Israel. It states that the LORD decisively intervened to harden Pharaoh's heart, thus causing him to relentlessly chase the Israelites. This verse highlights that Israel departed Egypt, not by stealth or weakness, but with bold, overt triumph, by the direct and mighty power of God. This entire sequence served God's ultimate purpose: to display His power and secure His glory through Pharaoh's downfall and Israel's salvation.

Exodus 14 8 Context

Exodus chapter 14 describes the immediate aftermath of the Israelites' departure from Egypt. Having left Sukkot and encamped by the Red Sea, the stage is set for a dramatic confrontation. Earlier in the Exodus narrative (chapters 7-10), Pharaoh repeatedly hardened his own heart, often followed by the Bible stating "the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart" (e.g., 9:12). This verse (14:8) represents the final, decisive act of God's hardening, which precipitates Pharaoh's fatal decision to pursue Israel. Historically, Pharaoh would have considered himself a living god, and to have a vast workforce like Israel escape his grasp would be an unbearable humiliation and a defiance of his supposed divine authority. The "high hand" with which Israel departed was a public declaration that it was not by stealth or negotiation, but by a higher power—Yahweh, the God of Israel—that they left Egypt. This setting highlights the clash between the supreme sovereignty of God and the futile pride of a worldly ruler.

Exodus 14 8 Word analysis

• And: Connects the current event to the previous ones, indicating a continuous divine plan unfolding.
• the LORD: Transliteration of YHWH (Yahweh), God's covenant name. It emphasizes His personal, active, and sovereign involvement as the one true God who makes and keeps promises, standing in stark contrast to the passive or powerless deities of Egypt.
• hardened: Hebrew chazaq (חָזַק), meaning to strengthen, to make firm, to be strong. In the context of the heart, it means to make it stubborn, obstinate, or unyielding. While Pharaoh initially hardened his own heart through his choices, here it states the LORD's direct action, which served to confirm or enable Pharaoh's own inclination towards defiance, ultimately to bring about His divine purposes.
• the heart: Hebrew lev (לֵב), referring not just to the physical organ, but the entire inner being – the seat of intellect, will, emotions, and moral character. God's hardening affected Pharaoh's will and decision-making capabilities, preventing him from yielding to God's command.
• of Pharaoh king of Egypt: Specifies the identity of Israel's oppressor and the central figure of God's judgment and glory. Pharaoh represents the apex of worldly power opposing God's will.
• and he pursued: Hebrew radaf (רָדַף), meaning to chase, pursue, follow after with an intention to catch, often with hostile intent. It indicates Pharaoh's aggressive, determined, and swift action.
• after the children of Israel: Refers to God's chosen people, indicating they were the target of Pharaoh's hostile chase, placing them squarely in the path of both danger and divine deliverance.
• and the children of Israel went out: Emphasizes the act of their departure from Egypt, indicating the success of their exit before Pharaoh's pursuit.
• with an high hand: Hebrew b'yad ramah (בְּיָד רָמָה). This is a significant idiom. Yad (hand) often signifies power or authority, and ramah (high/lifted) implies overt, defiant, bold, and powerful action. It signifies that Israel departed openly, victoriously, confidently, and most importantly, under the direct, visible, and overwhelming power and authority of God Himself, not sneaking away by their own strength or craftiness.

Exodus 14 8 Bonus section

The repeated divine hardening of Pharaoh's heart throughout Exodus (culminating here) serves as a dramatic theological statement against the prevailing Egyptian worldview, where Pharaoh was seen as a god or closely aligned with the gods. Yahweh's ability to manipulate Pharaoh's will underscored His absolute sovereignty, completely undermining the authority and efficacy of the Egyptian pantheon and Pharaoh's supposed divine power. This verse also sets the stage for God's ultimate display of judgment on Egypt and salvation for Israel at the Red Sea, which would forever serve as the foundational narrative for Israel's identity and understanding of God's character. The "high hand" signifies the active presence and undeniable might of God accompanying Israel, transforming a fleeing nation into a triumphant procession.

Exodus 14 8 Commentary

Exodus 14:8 is a pivotal verse, encapsulating God's active control over human will and historical events for His glory. It definitively states that the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart, not in the sense of creating evil in him, but allowing and confirming his persistent rebellion to fulfill a greater redemptive plan. This divine intervention explains Pharaoh's seemingly irrational pursuit of the recently released Israelites, despite the devastating plagues. The "high hand" with which Israel departed directly contrasts Pharaoh's attempt to re-enslave them, emphasizing that their freedom was a divinely orchestrated, overt triumph, witnessed by the Egyptians, and not a stealthy escape. This public display ensured that God, not Israel's might or human strategy, received all glory. The verse highlights themes of divine sovereignty, the demonstration of God's power over human rulers and false gods, and the security of His covenant people. It is a testament to God's faithfulness and ability to manipulate even the hearts of wicked rulers to achieve His righteous purposes.