Exodus 10:27
New International Version
But the LORD hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he was not willing to let them go.

New Living Translation
But the LORD hardened Pharaoh’s heart once more, and he would not let them go.

English Standard Version
But the LORD hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he would not let them go.

Berean Standard Bible
But the LORD hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he was unwilling to let them go.

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

New King James Version
But the LORD hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he would not let them go.

New American Standard Bible
But the LORD hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he was not willing to let them go.

NASB 1995
But the LORD hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he was not willing to let them go.

NASB 1977
But the LORD hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he was not willing to let them go.

Legacy Standard Bible
But Yahweh hardened Pharaoh’s heart with strength, and he was not willing to let them go.

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

Christian Standard Bible
But the LORD hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he was unwilling to let them go.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
But the LORD hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he was unwilling to let them go.

American Standard Version
But Jehovah hardened Pharaoh's heart, and he would not let them go.

Contemporary English Version
This time the LORD made the king so stubborn

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

GOD'S WORD® Translation
But the LORD made Pharaoh stubborn, so he refused to let them go.

Good News Translation
The LORD made the king stubborn, and he would not let them go.

International Standard Version
The LORD made Pharaoh's heart stubborn, and he did not want to let them go.

Majority Standard Bible
But the LORD hardened Pharaoh?s heart, and he was unwilling to let them go.

NET Bible
But the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart, and he was not willing to release them.

New Heart English Bible
But the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart, and he wouldn't let them go.

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

World English Bible
But Yahweh hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he wouldn’t let them go.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And YHWH strengthens the heart of Pharaoh, and he has not been willing to send them away;

Young's Literal Translation
And Jehovah strengtheneth the heart of Pharaoh, and he hath not been willing to send them away;

Smith's Literal Translation
And Jehovah will bind fast the heart of Pharaoh, and he not being willing to send them forth.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And the Lord hardened Pharao's heart, and he would not let them go.

Catholic Public Domain Version
But the Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh, and he was not willing to release them.

New American Bible
But the LORD hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he was unwilling to let them go.

New Revised Standard Version
But the LORD hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he was unwilling to let them go.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
But the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart and he would not let them go.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And LORD JEHOVAH hardened the heart of Pharaoh and he did not want to send them away.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
But the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart, and he would not let them go.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
But the Lord hardened the heart of Pharao, and he would not let them go.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Ninth Plague: Darkness
26Even our livestock must go with us; not a hoof will be left behind, for we will need some of them to worship the LORD our God, and we will not know how we are to worship the LORD until we arrive.” 27But the LORD hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he was unwilling to let them go. 28“Depart from me!” Pharaoh said to Moses. “Make sure you never see my face again, for on the day you see my face, you will die.”…

Cross References
Romans 9:17-18
For the Scripture says to Pharaoh: “I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display My power in you, and that My name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” / Therefore God has mercy on whom He wants to have mercy, and He hardens whom He wants to harden.

Exodus 4:21
The LORD instructed Moses, “When you go back to Egypt, see that you perform before Pharaoh all the wonders that I have put within your power. But I will harden his heart so that he will not let the people go.

Exodus 7:3-4
But I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and though I will multiply My signs and wonders in the land of Egypt, / Pharaoh will not listen to you. Then I will lay My hand on Egypt, and by mighty acts of judgment I will bring the divisions of My people the Israelites out of the land of Egypt.

Exodus 9:12
But the LORD hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he would not listen to them, just as the LORD had said to Moses.

Exodus 11:10
Moses and Aaron did all these wonders before Pharaoh, but the LORD hardened Pharaoh’s heart so that he would not let the Israelites go out of his land.

Exodus 14:4
And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart so that he will pursue them. But I will gain honor by means of Pharaoh and all his army, and the Egyptians will know that I am the LORD.” So this is what the Israelites did.

Exodus 14:17
And I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians so that they will go in after them. Then I will gain honor by means of Pharaoh and all his army and chariots and horsemen.

Deuteronomy 2:30
But Sihon king of Heshbon would not let us pass through, for the LORD your God had made his spirit stubborn and his heart obstinate, that He might deliver him into your hand, as is the case this day.

Joshua 11:20
For it was of the LORD to harden their hearts to engage Israel in battle, so that they would be set apart for destruction and would receive no mercy, being annihilated as the LORD had commanded Moses.

Isaiah 63:17
Why, O LORD, do You make us stray from Your ways and harden our hearts from fearing You? Return, for the sake of Your servants, the tribes of Your heritage.

John 12:40
“He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, so that they cannot see with their eyes, and understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them.”

2 Thessalonians 2:11-12
For this reason God will send them a powerful delusion so that they believe the lie, / in order that judgment may come upon all who have disbelieved the truth and delighted in wickedness.

Proverbs 21:1
The king’s heart is a waterway in the hand of the LORD; He directs it where He pleases.

1 Samuel 6:6
Why harden your hearts as the Egyptians and Pharaoh hardened theirs? When He afflicted them, did they not send the people out so they could go on their way?

Isaiah 6:9-10
And He replied: “Go and tell this people, ‘Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.’ / Make the hearts of this people calloused; deafen their ears and close their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed.”


Treasury of Scripture

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

Exodus 10:1,20
And the LORD said unto Moses, Go in unto Pharaoh: for I have hardened his heart, and the heart of his servants, that I might shew these my signs before him: …

Exodus 4:21
And the LORD said unto Moses, When thou goest to return into Egypt, see that thou do all those wonders before Pharaoh, which I have put in thine hand: but I will harden his heart, that he shall not let the people go.

Exodus 14:4,8
And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, that he shall follow after them; and I will be honoured upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host; that the Egyptians may know that I am the LORD. And they did so…

Jump to Previous
Hard Hardened Heart Pharaoh Pharaoh's Strengtheneth Stubborn Willing Wouldn't
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Hard Hardened Heart Pharaoh Pharaoh's Strengtheneth Stubborn Willing Wouldn't
Exodus 10
1. God threatens to send locusts
7. Pharaoh, moved by his servants, inclines to let the Israelites go
12. The plague of the locusts
16. Pharaoh entreats Moses
21. The plague of darkness
24. Pharaoh again entreats Moses, but yet is hardened














But the LORD hardened Pharaoh’s heart
This phrase indicates divine intervention in Pharaoh's decision-making process. In the broader biblical context, this hardening of the heart is mentioned multiple times throughout the Exodus narrative. It serves to demonstrate God's sovereignty and power over human rulers and events. Theologically, it raises questions about free will and divine justice, but it is often interpreted as God allowing Pharaoh to persist in his own stubbornness, which he had already demonstrated. This hardening is part of God's plan to display His power and to fulfill His promise to Abraham about delivering his descendants from bondage (Genesis 15:13-14). It also foreshadows the hardening of hearts in the New Testament, where people reject Jesus despite witnessing His miracles (John 12:37-40).

and he was unwilling to let them go
Pharaoh's unwillingness to release the Israelites is a central theme in the Exodus story. This resistance sets the stage for the plagues that God sends upon Egypt, each demonstrating His supremacy over the Egyptian gods and Pharaoh himself, who was considered a deity. Historically, Egypt was a powerful empire, and the Israelites were a significant labor force, making Pharaoh's reluctance understandable from a human perspective. Culturally, the Egyptians viewed the Hebrews as inferior, which contributed to Pharaoh's dismissive attitude. This phrase also connects to the broader biblical theme of liberation from bondage, which is a type of the spiritual liberation offered through Jesus Christ. Just as Pharaoh's refusal led to the eventual deliverance of Israel, the resistance of sin and death is overcome through Christ's sacrifice, offering freedom to all who believe (Romans 6:17-18).

Persons / Places / Events
1. The LORD (Yahweh)
The God of Israel, who is actively involved in the deliverance of His people from Egypt. His actions demonstrate His sovereignty and power over all creation.

2. Pharaoh
The ruler of Egypt, whose heart is hardened by the LORD, leading to his refusal to release the Israelites from slavery. Pharaoh represents human pride and resistance to God's will.

3. Moses and Aaron
God's chosen leaders to confront Pharaoh and demand the release of the Israelites. They serve as mediators between God and Pharaoh.

4. Egypt
The land where the Israelites are enslaved. It symbolizes oppression and the worldly powers that stand against God's purposes.

5. The Plagues
A series of divine judgments on Egypt, demonstrating God's power and authority over creation and false gods. The hardening of Pharaoh's heart is a recurring theme throughout these events.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty
God's control over human affairs is absolute. He can use even the resistance of individuals to accomplish His divine purposes.

The Danger of a Hardened Heart
A hardened heart leads to spiritual blindness and resistance to God's will. We must remain open and responsive to God's guidance.

The Role of Human Responsibility
While God is sovereign, humans are still responsible for their actions. Pharaoh's repeated refusals show the consequences of persistent disobedience.

The Power of God's Deliverance
God's deliverance of Israel from Egypt foreshadows the ultimate deliverance through Christ. Trust in God's power to save and transform.

The Importance of Obedience
Obedience to God's commands leads to freedom and blessing, while disobedience results in judgment and bondage.Verse 27. - Hardened - Again the strong expression, yekhazak, is used, as in ver. 20.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
But the LORD
יְהוָ֖ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

hardened
וַיְחַזֵּ֥ק (way·ḥaz·zêq)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2388: To fasten upon, to seize, be strong, obstinate, to bind, restrain, conquer

Pharaoh’s
פַּרְעֹ֑ה (par·‘ōh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 6547: Pharaoh -- a title of Egypt kings

heart,
לֵ֣ב (lêḇ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3820: The heart, the feelings, the will, the intellect, centre

and he was not willing
וְלֹ֥א (wə·lō)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

to let them go.
לְשַׁלְּחָֽם׃ (lə·šal·lə·ḥām)
Preposition-l | Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 7971: To send away, for, out


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OT Law: Exodus 10:27 But Yahweh hardened Pharaoh's heart and he (Exo. Ex)
Exodus 10:26
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