Exodus 8:32 kjv

And Pharaoh hardened his heart at this time also, neither would he let the people go.

Exodus 8:32 nkjv

But Pharaoh hardened his heart at this time also; neither would he let the people go.

Exodus 8:32 niv

But this time also Pharaoh hardened his heart and would not let the people go.

Exodus 8:32 esv

But Pharaoh hardened his heart this time also, and did not let the people go.

Exodus 8:32 nlt

But Pharaoh again became stubborn and refused to let the people go.

Exodus 8 verses

Exodus 8 32 Meaning

Exodus 8:32 states, "But Pharaoh hardened his heart this time also, and did not let the people go." This verse succinctly conveys Pharaoh's continued defiance against God's command. Despite having experienced the severe plague of flies and receiving temporary relief (Exo 8:31), Pharaoh willfully chose to maintain his obstinacy. It reveals a persistent pattern of rejecting divine instruction and mercy, leading to further consequences.

Exodus 8 32 Context

Exodus 8:32 appears after the third and fourth plagues in Egypt: the plague of lice (Exo 8:16-19) and the plague of flies (Exo 8:20-32). Specifically, it follows Pharaoh's promise to let Israel go, made during the intense discomfort of the fly plague (Exo 8:28), on the condition that Moses pray for its removal. After Moses interceded, and the land was freed from flies (Exo 8:31), Pharaoh once again reneged on his word. This pattern of making promises under duress only to break them upon relief becomes a defining characteristic of Pharaoh's resistance throughout the plague narratives. Historically, Pharaoh, as the living embodiment of the sun-god Ra, held ultimate authority and was considered a divine ruler in Egypt. His stubborn refusal was not merely political but a religious affront, asserting his perceived divinity against the supreme God of Israel, challenging not only God's authority but also the very concept of an alternate power source for creation.

Exodus 8 32 Word analysis

• But: This conjunction signifies a strong contrast. It highlights Pharaoh's unexpected choice, defying the anticipated outcome after Moses fulfilled his request to remove the plague. It marks a decisive turning point in the narrative, escalating the conflict.
• Pharaoh: (Hebrew: פַּרְעֹה, Par`oh). Refers to the king of Egypt, the most powerful man of his era. In this narrative, Pharaoh symbolizes the world's rebellion and opposition to God's will and purpose. His identity as a divine ruler in Egyptian belief system is central, making his resistance a theological challenge.
• hardened: (Hebrew: וַיַּכְבֵּד, wayyakhbed, Hiphil perfect of כָּבֵד, kaved). The Hiphil stem indicates a causative action, "he made heavy" or "he caused to be heavy." When applied to the heart, it means to make dull, unresponsive, insensible, stubborn. Here, the verb choice (wayyakhbed) explicitly attributes the action to Pharaoh himself, showing his self-willed stubbornness. It is his deliberate, active choice to become rigid and unyielding. This is distinct from instances where God hardens Pharaoh's heart (e.g., chazaq or later use of kaved).
• his heart: (Hebrew: לִבּוֹ, libbo). In ancient Hebrew thought, the "heart" (לֵב, lev) is not merely the seat of emotions but the center of one's intellect, will, reason, moral character, and decision-making. Thus, Pharaoh's "hardening of heart" signifies a deliberate, conscious decision of his entire inner being and will to resist God. It represents his rational and moral core becoming obstinate.
• this time also: This phrase highlights a repetitive pattern. It indicates that Pharaoh's refusal was not a one-time lapse but a consistent, conscious choice, building on previous instances of resistance (Exo 7:13, 7:22, 8:15). It shows a deliberate, escalating rejection of divine commands and the evidence of God's power. It underscores his culpability.
• and did not let the people go: This is the ultimate expression of his hardened will, the direct action (or inaction) of disobedience. It is the core demand from God and the key point of contention throughout the Exodus narrative. His continued refusal indicates his unyielding determination to hold onto the Israelite workforce, demonstrating his defiance against both Yahweh's explicit command and the demonstrated might of God's plagues.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• "But Pharaoh hardened his heart": This phrase emphasizes the agency of Pharaoh. It shows his self-generated resistance and wilful defiance. This deliberate action sets up the escalation of divine judgment, as his internal state translates into overt disobedience. This is a foundational theme in the Bible: human responsibility in sin and resistance.
• "his heart this time also": This pairing of phrases stresses both the internal seat of rebellion (the heart) and the ongoing, patterned nature of his refusal. "This time also" points to a prior record of broken promises (after the frogs, Exo 8:15). It demonstrates a character flaw and a trajectory of hardened defiance rather than an isolated incident, escalating the moral stakes for Pharaoh.
• "and did not let the people go": This phrase succinctly states the direct consequence of his hardened heart. Pharaoh's internal spiritual condition (stubbornness) manifests in tangible actions of disobedience to God's central demand, keeping the Israelites enslaved. It directly prolongs their suffering and triggers the subsequent plagues.

Exodus 8 32 Bonus section

The ongoing tension between Pharaoh hardening his own heart and God hardening Pharaoh's heart throughout the plague narrative (seen in different Hebrew verbs or different uses of kaved) reveals profound theological insights. Early in the plagues, the emphasis is often on Pharaoh's self-hardening (Exo 8:15, 8:32). As the plagues progress, the text begins to state that God hardens Pharaoh's heart (e.g., Exo 9:12). This is not contradictory but signifies God's justice allowing Pharaoh to persist in his chosen rebellion, thus enabling the full display of God's power and sovereignty. Pharaoh's obstinacy became the means through which God executed judgment upon Egypt's gods and vindicated His own name globally.

Exodus 8 32 Commentary

Exodus 8:32 marks a critical point in the Exodus narrative, underscoring Pharaoh's personal culpability in his prolonged rebellion against God. After experiencing the intensity of the plagues and agreeing to let the Israelites go under duress, Pharaoh repeatedly reneged on his promise once relief was granted. This verse specifically emphasizes that "Pharaoh hardened his heart," signifying a deliberate act of his own will (wayyakhbed from kaved, meaning "made heavy"). His stubbornness was not an oversight but a conscious choice, solidifying a pattern of deceit and defiance that deepened with each divine demonstration of power.

This self-hardening, fueled by pride and a desire to maintain his god-like authority and slave labor, led him further down a path of resistance. His refusal to release the people, despite overwhelming evidence of Yahweh's supremacy, set the stage for increasingly severe divine judgments. The verse thus highlights the profound spiritual danger of persistent rebellion, where grace and demonstrated power are met with entrenched obstinacy, leading to God giving one over to their chosen path. Pharaoh's continued defiance is ultimately employed by God to magnify His glory and display His unparalleled power to both Egypt and Israel (Rom 9:17-18).