Exodus 4:4

4:4 But the Lord said to Moses, “Put out your hand and grab it by the tail” – so he put out his hand and caught it, and it became a staff in his hand ¹  –

Exodus 7:22

7:22 But the magicians of Egypt did the same ²  by their secret arts, and so ³  Pharaoh’s heart remained hard, ⁴  and he refused to listen to Moses and Aaron ⁵  – just as the Lord had predicted.

Exodus 8:19

8:19 The magicians said ⁶  to Pharaoh, “It is the finger ⁷  of God!” But Pharaoh’s heart remained hard, ⁸  and he did not listen to them, just as the Lord had predicted.

Exodus 9:12

9:12 But the Lord hardened ⁹  Pharaoh’s heart, and he did not listen to them, just as the Lord had predicted to Moses.

Exodus 9:35

9:35 So Pharaoh’s heart remained hard, ¹⁰  and he did not release the Israelites, as the Lord had predicted through Moses.

Exodus 14:8

14:8 But the Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he chased after the Israelites. Now the Israelites were going out defiantly. ¹¹ 

[4:4]  ¹ sn The signs authenticated Moses’ ministry as the Lord’s emissary. This sign will show that the Lord had control over Egypt and its stability, over life and death. But first Moses has to be convinced that he can turn it into a dead stick again.

[7:22]  ² tn Heb “thus, so.”

[7:22]  ³ tn The vav consecutive on the preterite introduces the outcome or result of the matter – Pharaoh was hardened.

[7:22]  ⁴ tn Heb “and the heart of Pharaoh became hard.” This phrase translates the Hebrew word חָזַק (khazaq; see S. R. Driver, Exodus, 53). In context this represents the continuation of a prior condition.

[7:22]  ⁵ tn Heb “to them”; the referents (Moses and Aaron) have been specified in the translation for clarity.

[8:19]  ³ tn Heb “and the magicians said.”

[8:19]  ⁴ tn The word “finger” is a bold anthropomorphism (a figure of speech in which God is described using human characteristics).

[8:19]  ⁵ tn Heb “and the heart of Pharaoh became hard.” This phrase translates the Hebrew word חָזַק (khazaq; see S. R. Driver, Exodus, 53). In context this represents the continuation of a prior condition.

[9:12]  ⁴ tn This phrase translates the Hebrew word חָזַק (khazaq); see S. R. Driver, Exodus, 53.

[9:35]  ⁵ tn The verb about Pharaoh’s heart in v. 35 is וַיֶּחֱזַק (vayyekhezaq), a Qal preterite: “and it was hardened” or “strengthened to resist.” This forms the summary statement of this stage in the drama. The verb used in v. 34 to report Pharaoh’s response was וַיַּכְבֵּד (vayyakhbed), a Hiphil preterite: “and he hardened [his heart]” or made it stubborn. The use of two descriptions of Pharaoh’s heart in close succession, along with mention of his servants’ heart condition, underscores the growing extent of the problem.

[14:8]  ⁶ tn Heb “with a high hand”; the expression means “defiantly,” “boldly,” or “with confidence.” The phrase is usually used for arrogant sin and pride, the defiant fist, as it were. The image of the high hand can also mean the hand raised to deliver a blow (Job 38:15). So the narrative here builds tension between these two resolute forces.