And Pharaoh hardened his heart at this time also, neither would he let the people go.
In its setting the verse belongs to the account of the plagues by which Jehovah showed His supremacy over Egypt's idols and pressed for Israel's release. Those plagues were judgments against the gods and forms of worship in which the Egyptians trusted, making clear that those idols could neither protect their worshipers nor save themselves. Immediately before, in answer to Moses' entreaty, God completely removed the grievous swarm of flies from Pharaoh, his servants, his people and the land, so that not one fly remained.
While under God's chastening hand Pharaoh had consented to let Israel go into the wilderness three days' journey, but not very far away, to sacrifice to the Lord. That going into the wilderness was necessary because their sacrifices would include beasts the Egyptians worshiped as sacred and killing them before Egyptian eyes would bring stoning. At the same time he had asked Moses to entreat for him, a request made deceitfully and only under distress. Moses had warned Pharaoh not to deal deceitfully any more by withholding permission for the people to go and sacrifice.
Once relieved of distress Pharaoh broke that promise and dealt deceitfully, hardening his own heart at this time also and again refusing to let the people go to sacrifice. So he still would not release Israel after the plague had ended and despite his promise and despite these demonstrations of God's power. His persistent rebellion had hardened his heart, leaving him unmoved by the evidence of God's power, showing the stubbornness of Pharaoh and the Egyptians in hardening their hearts against God. The verse stands as a warning not to imitate that stubbornness, because persisting in it brings still greater afflictions and judgments from God.
In its setting the verse belongs to the account of the plagues by which Jehovah showed His supremacy over Egypt's idols and pressed for Israel's release. Those plagues were judgments against the gods and forms of worship in which the Egyptians trusted, making clear that those idols could neither protect their worshipers nor save themselves. Immediately before, in answer to Moses' entreaty, God completely removed the grievous swarm of flies from Pharaoh, his servants, his people and the land, so that not one fly remained.
While under God's chastening hand Pharaoh had consented to let Israel go into the wilderness three days' journey, but not very far away, to sacrifice to the Lord. That going into the wilderness was necessary because their sacrifices would include beasts the Egyptians worshiped as sacred and killing them before Egyptian eyes would bring stoning. At the same time he had asked Moses to entreat for him, a request made deceitfully and only under distress. Moses had warned Pharaoh not to deal deceitfully any more by withholding permission for the people to go and sacrifice.
Once relieved of distress Pharaoh broke that promise and dealt deceitfully, hardening his own heart at this time also and again refusing to let the people go to sacrifice. So he still would not release Israel after the plague had ended and despite his promise and despite these demonstrations of God's power. His persistent rebellion had hardened his heart, leaving him unmoved by the evidence of God's power, showing the stubbornness of Pharaoh and the Egyptians in hardening their hearts against God. The verse stands as a warning not to imitate that stubbornness, because persisting in it brings still greater afflictions and judgments from God.