1 Samuel 6:6
New International Version
Why do you harden your hearts as the Egyptians and Pharaoh did? When Israel’s god dealt harshly with them, did they not send the Israelites out so they could go on their way?

New Living Translation
Don’t be stubborn and rebellious as Pharaoh and the Egyptians were. By the time God was finished with them, they were eager to let Israel go.

English Standard Version
Why should you harden your hearts as the Egyptians and Pharaoh hardened their hearts? After he had dealt severely with them, did they not send the people away, and they departed?

Berean Standard Bible
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?

King James Bible
Wherefore then do ye harden your hearts, as the Egyptians and Pharaoh hardened their hearts? when he had wrought wonderfully among them, did they not let the people go, and they departed?

New King James Version
Why then do you harden your hearts as the Egyptians and Pharaoh hardened their hearts? When He did mighty things among them, did they not let the people go, that they might depart?

New American Standard Bible
Why then do you harden your hearts as the Egyptians and Pharaoh hardened their hearts? When He had severely dealt with them, did they not let the people go, and they left?

NASB 1995
“Why then do you harden your hearts as the Egyptians and Pharaoh hardened their hearts? When He had severely dealt with them, did they not allow the people to go, and they departed?

NASB 1977
“Why then do you harden your hearts as the Egyptians and Pharaoh hardened their hearts? When He had severely dealt with them, did they not allow the people to go, and they departed?

Legacy Standard Bible
Why then do you harden your hearts as the Egyptians and Pharaoh hardened their hearts? When He had abused them, did they not allow the people to go, and they went?

Amplified Bible
Why then do you harden your hearts [allowing pride to cause your downfall] just as the Egyptians and Pharaoh hardened their hearts? When He had severely dealt with them and mocked them, did they not allow the people [of Israel] to go, and they departed?

Christian Standard Bible
Why harden your hearts as the Egyptians and Pharaoh hardened theirs? When he afflicted them, didn’t they send Israel away, and Israel left?

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Why harden your hearts as the Egyptians and Pharaoh hardened theirs? When He afflicted them, didn’t they send Israel away, and Israel left?

American Standard Version
Wherefore then do ye harden your hearts, as the Egyptians and Pharaoh hardened their hearts? When he had wrought wonderfully among them, did they not let the people go, and they departed?

Contemporary English Version
Don't be like the Egyptians and their king. They were stubborn, but when Israel's God was finished with them, they had to let Israel go.

English Revised Version
Wherefore then do ye harden your hearts, as the Egyptians and Pharaoh hardened their hearts? when he had wrought wonderfully among them, did they not let the people go and they departed?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Why should you be as stubborn as the Egyptians and their Pharaoh were? After he toyed with the Egyptians, didn't they send the Israelites on their way?

Good News Translation
Why should you be stubborn, as the king of Egypt and the Egyptians were? Don't forget how God made fools of them until they let the Israelites leave Egypt.

International Standard Version
Why should you harden your hearts just as the Egyptians and Pharaoh hardened their hearts? Isn't it true that after God toyed with them, they let Israel go, and off they went?

Majority Standard Bible
Why harden your hearts as the Egyptians and Pharaoh hardened theirs? When He afflicted them, did they not send the people on their way as they departed?

NET Bible
Why harden your hearts like the Egyptians and Pharaoh did? When God treated them harshly, didn't the Egyptians send the Israelites on their way?

New Heart English Bible
Why then do you harden your hearts, as the Egyptians and Pharaoh hardened their hearts? When he had worked wonderfully among them, did they not let the people go, and they departed?

Webster's Bible Translation
Why then do ye harden your hearts, as the Egyptians and Pharaoh hardened their hearts? when he had wrought wonderfully among them, did they not let the people go, and they departed?

World English Bible
Why then do you harden your hearts as the Egyptians and Pharaoh hardened their hearts? When he had worked wonderfully among them, didn’t they let the people go, and they departed?
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and why do you harden your heart as the Egyptians and Pharaoh hardened their heart? Do they not—when He has rolled Himself on them—send them away, and they go?

Young's Literal Translation
and why do ye harden your heart as the Egyptians and Pharaoh hardened their heart? do they not -- when He hath rolled Himself upon them -- send them away, and they go?

Smith's Literal Translation
And why shall ye make your hearts heavy, as Egypt and Pharaoh made their heart heavy? Did he not then do wonders among them, and they will send them away, and they will go?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Why do you harden your hearts, as Egypt and Pharao hardened their hearts? did not he, after he was struck, then let them go, and they departed?

Catholic Public Domain Version
Why have you hardened your hearts, just as Egypt and Pharaoh hardened their hearts? After he was struck, did he not then release them, and they went away?

New American Bible
Why should you become stubborn, the way the Egyptians and Pharaoh were stubborn? Was it not after he had dealt ruthlessly with them that the Israelites were released and departed?

New Revised Standard Version
Why should you harden your hearts as the Egyptians and Pharaoh hardened their hearts? After he had made fools of them, did they not let the people go, and they departed?
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And you shall not harden your hearts, as the Egyptians and Pharaoh hardened their hearts, and as they mocked the Israelites and did not send them nor let them go.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And you shall not harden your heart as when the Egyptians and Pharaoh hardened their heart and as when they mocked at them, neither did they send them, neither did they go
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Wherefore then do ye harden your hearts, as the Egyptians and Pharaoh hardened their hearts? when He had wrought among them, did they not let the people go, and they departed?

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And why do ye harden your hearts, as Egypt and Pharao hardened their hearts? was it not so when he mocked them, that they let the people go, and they departed?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Ark Returned to Israel
5Make images of your tumors and of the rats that are ravaging the land. Give glory to the God of Israel, and perhaps He will lift His hand from you and your gods and your land. 6Why harden your hearts as the Egyptians and Pharaoh hardened theirs? When He afflicted them, did they not send the people on their way as they departed? 7Now, therefore, prepare one new cart with two milk cows that have never been yoked. Hitch the cows to the cart, but take their calves away and pen them up.…

Cross References
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.

Exodus 8:32
But Pharaoh hardened his heart this time as well, and he would not let the people go.

Exodus 9:34
When Pharaoh saw that the rain and hail and thunder had ceased, he sinned again and hardened his heart—he and his officials.

Exodus 10:1-2
Then the LORD said to Moses, “Go to Pharaoh, for I have hardened his heart and the hearts of his officials, that I may perform these miraculous signs of Mine among them, / and that you may tell your children and grandchildren how severely I dealt with the Egyptians when I performed miraculous signs among them, so that all of you may know that I am the LORD.”

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.

Exodus 14:23-31
And the Egyptians chased after them—all Pharaoh’s horses, chariots, and horsemen—and followed them into the sea. / At morning watch, however, the LORD looked down on the army of the Egyptians from the pillar of fire and cloud, and He threw their camp into confusion. / He caused their chariot wheels to wobble, so that they had difficulty driving. “Let us flee from the Israelites,” said the Egyptians, “for the LORD is fighting for them against Egypt!” ...

Exodus 15:14-16
The nations will hear and tremble; anguish will grip the dwellers of Philistia. / Then the chiefs of Edom will be dismayed; trembling will seize the leaders of Moab; those who dwell in Canaan will melt away, / and terror and dread will fall on them. By the power of Your arm they will be as still as a stone until Your people pass by, O LORD, until the people You have bought pass by.

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.

2 Kings 17:14
But they would not listen, and they stiffened their necks like their fathers, who did not believe the LORD their God.

2 Chronicles 30:8
Now do not stiffen your necks as your fathers did. Submit to the LORD and come to His sanctuary, which He has consecrated forever. Serve the LORD your God, so that His fierce anger will turn away from you.

Nehemiah 9:16-17
But they and our fathers became arrogant and stiff-necked and did not obey Your commandments. / They refused to listen and failed to remember the wonders You performed among them. They stiffened their necks and appointed a leader to return them to their bondage in Egypt. But You are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in loving devotion, and You did not forsake them.

Psalm 95:8-9
do not harden your hearts as you did at Meribah, in the day at Massah in the wilderness, / where your fathers tested and tried Me, though they had seen My work.

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.

Jeremiah 7:26
Yet they would not listen to Me or incline their ear, but they stiffened their necks and did more evil than their fathers.


Treasury of Scripture

Why then do you harden your hearts, as the Egyptians and Pharaoh hardened their hearts? when he had worked wonderfully among them, did they not let the people go, and they departed?

harden

Job 9:4
He is wise in heart, and mighty in strength: who hath hardened himself against him, and hath prospered?

Psalm 95:8
Harden not your heart, as in the provocation, and as in the day of temptation in the wilderness:

Romans 2:5
But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;

the Egyptians

Exodus 7:13
And he hardened Pharaoh's heart, that he hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had said.

Exodus 8:15
But when Pharaoh saw that there was respite, he hardened his heart, and hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had said.

Exodus 9:16,34
And in very deed for this cause have I raised thee up, for to shew in thee my power; and that my name may be declared throughout all the earth…

wonderfully.

Exodus 12:31-33
And he called for Moses and Aaron by night, and said, Rise up, and get you forth from among my people, both ye and the children of Israel; and go, serve the LORD, as ye have said…

the people [heb] them

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Allow Dealt Departed Egyptians Hard Harden Hardened Harshly Heart Hearts Israelites Mightily Pharaoh Rolled Severely Sport Treated Way Wherefore Wonderfully Worked Wrought
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1 Samuel 6
1. After seven months the Philistines take counsel how to send back the ark
10. They bring it on a new cart with an offering unto Beth Shemesh
19. The people are smitten for looking into the ark
21. They send to them of Kiriath Jearim to fetch it














Why harden your hearts
The phrase "harden your hearts" is derived from the Hebrew word "kabad," which means to make heavy or insensible. In a spiritual context, it refers to a deliberate resistance to God's will. The hardening of the heart is a recurring theme in the Bible, often associated with pride and rebellion against God. This phrase serves as a warning against the dangers of spiritual obstinacy, urging the Philistines to learn from past mistakes and remain open to divine guidance.

as the Egyptians and Pharaoh hardened theirs
This reference to the Egyptians and Pharaoh draws from the well-known narrative of the Exodus, where Pharaoh's repeated refusal to release the Israelites led to a series of plagues. The hardening of Pharaoh's heart is a complex theological concept, illustrating both human free will and divine sovereignty. It serves as a historical lesson for the Philistines, emphasizing the consequences of resisting God's commands. The mention of Pharaoh underscores the gravity of the situation and the potential for divine judgment.

When He afflicted them
The "He" in this phrase refers to God, who afflicted the Egyptians with plagues as a demonstration of His power and as a means to liberate His people. The Hebrew word "naga" is used here, meaning to touch or strike, indicating a direct and purposeful action by God. This affliction was not arbitrary but served a redemptive purpose, highlighting God's justice and mercy. It reminds the Philistines of God's ability to intervene in human affairs and the importance of aligning with His will.

did they not send the Israelites out
This phrase recalls the eventual release of the Israelites from Egyptian bondage. The Hebrew word "shalach" means to send away or let go, signifying a decisive action taken by Pharaoh after recognizing the futility of resisting God's will. This historical event is a testament to God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises and delivering His people. It serves as an encouragement to the Philistines to act wisely and avoid unnecessary suffering by acknowledging God's authority.

so they could go on their way
The phrase "go on their way" signifies the freedom and purpose granted to the Israelites upon their release. The Hebrew word "halak" means to walk or proceed, indicating a journey or mission. This reflects the broader biblical theme of liberation and pilgrimage, where God's people are called to follow His path. For the Philistines, it is a reminder of the blessings that come with obedience and the opportunity to participate in God's redemptive plan by allowing His purposes to unfold.

(6) As the Egyptians and Pharaoh hardened their hearts.--We have here the traditional account of the deliverance of Israel from Egypt, no doubt, as it was preserved in Philistia. These constant references to the story of Moses and the Exodus are indications of the deep impression those events had made on the surrounding nations; hence the value they set on the Ark, which they looked upon as the visible symbol of the mighty Hebrew God. The argument here used by the priests and diviners is:--You all remember the well-known story of the obduracy of the powerful Egyptians in connection with these Israelites, yet even they in the end had to let them go. You Philistines have had the experience of one plague; will you, like those foolish Egyptians, harden your hearts till you. like them, have been smitten with ten?"

Verse 6. - Wherefore do you harden your hearts, as the Egyptians and Pharaoh? On this reference to Egypt see on 1 Samuel 4:8. It is remarkable that they so correctly point out that it was the obduracy of the Egyptians which made their punishment so severe. Yet finally even they, in spite of their determined opposition were compelled to let Israel go. So now the question is whether the Philistines will restore the ark on the warning of one plague, or whether they will hold out till they have been smitten with ten.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Why
וְלָ֤מָּה (wə·lām·māh)
Conjunctive waw | Interrogative
Strong's 4100: What?, what!, indefinitely what

harden
תְכַבְּדוּ֙ (ṯə·ḵab·bə·ḏū)
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 3513: To be heavy, weighty, or burdensome

your hearts
לְבַבְכֶ֔ם (lə·ḇaḇ·ḵem)
Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine plural
Strong's 3824: Inner man, mind, will, heart

as
כַּאֲשֶׁ֧ר (ka·’ă·šer)
Preposition-k | Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

the Egyptians
מִצְרַ֥יִם (miṣ·ra·yim)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 4713: Egyptian -- inhabitant of Egypt

and Pharaoh
וּפַרְעֹ֖ה (ū·p̄ar·‘ōh)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 6547: Pharaoh -- a title of Egypt kings

hardened
כִּבְּד֛וּ (kib·bə·ḏū)
Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 3513: To be heavy, weighty, or burdensome

theirs?
לִבָּ֑ם (lib·bām)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 3820: The heart, the feelings, the will, the intellect, centre

When
כַּאֲשֶׁ֣ר (ka·’ă·šer)
Preposition-k | Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

He afflicted them,
הִתְעַלֵּ֣ל (hiṯ·‘al·lêl)
Verb - Hitpael - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5953: To effect thoroughly, to glean, to overdo, maltreat, be saucy to, pain, impose

did they not
הֲלוֹא֙ (hă·lō·w)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

send the people on their way
וַֽיְשַׁלְּח֖וּם (way·šal·lə·ḥūm)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural | third person masculine plural
Strong's 7971: To send away, for, out

as they departed?
וַיֵּלֵֽכוּ׃ (way·yê·lê·ḵū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk


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OT History: 1 Samuel 6:6 Why then do you harden your hearts (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa)
1 Samuel 6:5
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