Bible Strands
Exodus 8:15
When Pharaoh saw that there was relief, however, he hardened his heart and 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 Pharaoh's response immediately after the plague of frogs is removed. At this moment, he observes the temporary relief and deliberately refuses to comply with Moses and Aaron's demands.
The words — The phrase וְ/הַכְבֵּד (ve./hakh.Bed) with לִבּ֔/וֹ (li.B/o) literally means "and he made heavy his heart," describing Pharaoh's active resistance. This physical metaphor indicates a conscious choice to remain obstinate rather than a loss of capacity to respond.
The thread — The text explicitly notes this fulfillment of divine prediction, echoing Exodus 7:4 where the LORD foretells Pharaoh's refusal. The pattern of unrepentant hardness after experienced relief also appears in Ecclesiastes 8:11 and Isaiah 26:10.
Why it lands — The passage states that experienced relief can trigger defiance instead of submission. It requires the reader to acknowledge how self-preservation hardens resistance to authoritative commands.
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
But when Pharaoh saw that there was respite, he hardened his heart, and hearkened not unto them; as the Lord had said.
Cross-references
- Ecclesiastes 8:11 When the sentence for a crime is not speedily executed, the hearts of men become fully set on doing evil.
- Isaiah 26:10 Though grace is shown to the wicked man, he does not learn righteousness. In the land of righteousness he acts unjustly and fails to see the majesty of the LORD.
- Exodus 7:4 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.
- Hebrews 3:8 do not harden your hearts, as you did in the rebellion, in the day of testing in the wilderness,
- Hebrews 3:15 As it has been said: “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts, as you did in the rebellion.”
- 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 7:13 Still, Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he would not listen to them, just as the LORD had said.
- Exodus 14:5 When the king of Egypt was told that the people had fled, Pharaoh and his officials changed their minds about them and said, “What have we done? We have released Israel from serving us.”
- Jeremiah 34:7 as the army of the king of Babylon was fighting against Jerusalem and the remaining cities of Judah—against Lachish and Azekah. For these were the only fortified cities remaining in Judah.
- Zechariah 7:11 But they refused to pay attention and turned a stubborn shoulder; they stopped up their ears from hearing.