Bible Strands
Exodus 7:22
But the magicians of Egypt did the same things by their magic arts. So Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he would not listen to Moses and Aaron, just as the LORD had said.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The narrator records the moment during the first plague when Moses and Aaron confront Pharaoh and the Nile turns to blood. The text notes the Egyptian magicians replicate the sign and Pharaoh refuses to listen to the prophets.
The words — וַ/יֶּחֱזַ֤ק (va/i.ye.che.Zak) means "and it was strong," describing the state of Pharaoh’s heart. כֵ֛ן (khen) translates as "thus" or "the same things," marking the magicians' exact replication of the sign.
The thread — This sequence of Egyptian sorcerers reproducing divine judgments appears in Exodus 7:11 and Exodus 8:7, while the motif of leaders dismissing prophetic warnings aligns with Jeremiah 27:18.
Why it lands — The text states plainly that Pharaoh’s hardened heart and refusal to listen occur exactly as the LORD predicted, framing his resistance as a fulfilled declaration rather than a spontaneous act.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And the magicians of Egypt did so with their enchantments: and Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, neither did he hearken unto them; as the Lord had said.
Cross-references
- Exodus 7:11 But Pharaoh called the wise men and sorcerers and magicians of Egypt, and they also did the same things by their magic arts.
- Exodus 8:7 But the magicians did the same thing by their magic arts, and they also brought frogs up onto the land of Egypt.
- Jeremiah 27:18 If they are indeed prophets and the word of the LORD is with them, let them now plead with the LORD of Hosts that the articles remaining in the house of the LORD, in the palace of the king of Judah, and in Jerusalem, not be taken to Babylon.
- 2 Timothy 3:8 Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these men oppose the truth. They are depraved in mind and disqualified from the faith.