Exodus 8:15 kjv

But when Pharaoh saw that there was respite, he hardened his heart, and hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had said.

Exodus 8:15 nkjv

But when Pharaoh saw that there was relief, he hardened his heart and did not heed them, as the LORD had said.

Exodus 8:15 niv

But when Pharaoh saw that there was relief, he hardened his heart and would not listen to Moses and Aaron, just as the LORD had said.

Exodus 8:15 esv

But when Pharaoh saw that there was a respite, he hardened his heart and would not listen to them, as the LORD had said.

Exodus 8:15 nlt

But when Pharaoh saw that relief had come, he became stubborn. He refused to listen to Moses and Aaron, just as the LORD had predicted.

Exodus 8 verses

Exodus 8 15 Meaning

Exodus 8:15 describes Pharaoh's reaction immediately after the plague of frogs was lifted by the Lord. Despite experiencing God's mercy through Moses's intercession and receiving relief from the torment, Pharaoh chose to stiffen his resolve and refuse to heed the divine command to let the Israelites go. His self-induced obstinacy confirmed the Lord's earlier pronouncement about his recalcitrance, illustrating the reliability of God's prophetic word and the active choice of human rebellion.

Exodus 8 15 Context

Exodus chapter 8 details the second and third plagues, frogs and gnats. The verse 15 comes at a critical juncture following the plague of frogs. Pharaoh's magicians could replicate the first plague (blood) and the second (frogs) but not remove them. Moses, as God's representative, demonstrated God's power by successfully calling for the plague's removal at Pharaoh's request. This demonstration of God's control over life and death, even to alleviate Pharaoh's suffering, presented a clear opportunity for Pharaoh to recognize Yahweh's supremacy. However, instead of relenting, Pharaoh reacted to the respite by hardening his heart further. This specific act of self-hardening initiates a pattern where Pharaoh experiences the Lord's power, gets a reprieve, and then hardens his heart, prompting the next plague. This aligns with God's prophetic declaration to Moses (Ex 4:21; 7:3) that Pharaoh would initially refuse to release Israel, serving as a powerful testament to the truthfulness of God's word and the unveiling of His sovereignty over all creation and rulers. The entire narrative of the plagues also serves as a polemic against the numerous gods of Egypt, demonstrating their impotence against the one true God, Yahweh. Pharaoh, as a divine king, embodies Egypt's resistance.

Exodus 8 15 Word analysis

• But when Pharaoh: Identifies the direct antagonist. Pharaoh, considered a god-king by the Egyptians, is shown to be powerless against Yahweh, unable to prevent or remove the plagues. His actions here highlight his autonomy, a core theme.

• saw: His visual perception is crucial. He experienced the divine intervention and removal of the plague firsthand. This wasn't an oversight or a lack of evidence; it was an informed choice to defy.

• that there was respite: The Hebrew word for respite is הָרְוָחָה (harvachah), meaning "relief," "breathing space," or "relaxation." This refers to the cessation of the plague of frogs. The immediate availability of mercy and comfort triggers his decision to rebel, showing a perverse reaction to God's goodness.

• he hardened his heart: The Hebrew verb here is וַיַּכְבֵּד אֶת־לִבּוֹ (vayyakbed et-libbo), using the Hiphil causative form of kaved (כָּבֵד), which literally means "made heavy" or "caused his heart to be heavy/dull." This signifies that Pharaoh actively rendered his own heart unresponsive, obtuse, or unyielding. It's an internal, volitional act of obstinacy, preventing spiritual discernment and obedience. This phrase highlights Pharaoh's self-determination in rebellion.

• and would not listen: The Hebrew phrase וְלֹא שָׁמַע (v'lo shama) implies more than merely physical hearing; it denotes a refusal to obey or pay attention. This emphasizes his defiance of the Lord's command, demonstrating a willful act of disobedience despite divine revelation.

• to them: Refers to Moses and Aaron, who were speaking God's direct words. Refusing them was a refusal of God Himself.

• as the Lord had said: Hebrew כַּאֲשֶׁר דִּבֶּר יְהוָה (ka'asher dibber YHVH). This critical phrase underscores divine foreknowledge and the infallible nature of God's word. It confirms that Pharaoh's actions, while self-chosen, were anticipated and were part of God's overarching plan to demonstrate His power and achieve His purposes. This validates the prophetic word given in Ex 4:21 and 7:3, confirming God's sovereign control over even the hardest of human hearts and actions.

• "But when Pharaoh saw that there was respite, he hardened his heart": This grouping illustrates the critical pivot point. Instead of genuine repentance in response to mercy, Pharaoh leveraged the respite—the cessation of suffering—as an opportunity to reassert his defiance. It exposes the perversity of a hardened heart that becomes more stubborn in the face of grace, twisting temporary relief into an occasion for greater rebellion.

Exodus 8 15 Bonus section

The Hebrew text uses several distinct verbs to describe Pharaoh's heart hardening throughout the Exodus narrative, each with nuanced meanings, illustrating the complex interplay between divine hardening and human will.

• כָּבֵד (kaved): As seen in Ex 8:15, 8:32, 9:7, 9:34. This root means "heavy," "dull," "unresponsive." When applied to the heart, it implies becoming insensible, sluggish, or difficult to move. This specific verb is primarily used to describe Pharaoh's own action in hardening his heart. It emphasizes his active choice to make his heart dull and impervious to God's demands and demonstrations of power.
• חָזַק (chazaq): Meaning "strong," "firm," "courageous." In its intensive form, it can mean "to strengthen" or "to make hard." This is frequently used when God hardens Pharaoh's heart (e.g., Ex 9:12; 10:1, 20, 27; 11:10; 14:4, 8). It indicates God's purposeful strengthening of Pharaoh's resolve, allowing His full plan to unfold for a greater demonstration of power.
• קָשָׁה (qashah): Meaning "hard," "harsh," "stiff." Only used once for Pharaoh's heart (Ex 7:3 where God declares He will harden his heart), but elsewhere for the stiff-neckedness of Israel (e.g., Deut 10:16). This refers to an unbending, stubborn resistance.

The presence of both Pharaoh's self-hardening (kaved) and God's hardening (chazaq) is not a contradiction but a deep theological statement. Pharaoh's active, willful rejection of God's command and displayed power (hardening himself) created a heart susceptible to God's subsequent action of judicial hardening. God used Pharaoh's inherent rebellion to demonstrate His might, revealing His purpose to "raise [Pharaoh] up" (Rom 9:17) so His power might be displayed and His name proclaimed throughout the earth. This also serves as a polemic against the Egyptian view of Pharaoh as divine and invincible, clearly showing him to be a mere human tool in the hands of the Almighty.

Exodus 8 15 Commentary

Exodus 8:15 provides profound insight into the nature of human stubbornness and divine sovereignty. After enduring the oppressive plague of frogs, Pharaoh appealed to Moses, who then successfully interceded for its removal. This demonstration of Yahweh's power and Moses's authority should have compelled Pharaoh to submit. However, upon receiving "respite"—relief from his immediate suffering—Pharaoh actively chose to make his heart unyielding. The text specifies that he hardened his heart, emphasizing human responsibility and the exercise of free will in rebellion against God.

This act of self-hardening is a deliberate decision to remain disobedient despite compelling evidence of God's might. It highlights a common human tendency to quickly forget God's interventions once comfort is restored. Yet, woven into this display of human obstinacy is the clear statement, "as the Lord had said." This confirms that Pharaoh's self-chosen rebellion was precisely what God had declared would happen (Ex 4:21; 7:3). It reveals a theological paradox: human will is genuinely free and accountable for its choices, yet these choices operate within the boundaries of God's sovereign plan. Pharaoh's defiance ultimately serves to magnify God's glory and demonstrate His supreme power over even the most powerful human ruler and the gods he supposedly represented. This episode serves as a powerful warning: grace offered and rejected often leads to increased spiritual resistance.