Exodus 14:4 And I will harden Pharaoh's heart so that he will pursue them. But I will gain honor by means of Pharaoh and all his army, and the Egyptians will know that I am the LORD." So this is what the Israelites did.

◄ Exodus 14:4 ►

New International Version
And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and he will pursue them. But I will gain glory for myself through Pharaoh and all his army, and the Egyptians will know that I am the LORD.” So the Israelites did this.

New Living Translation
And once again I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and he will chase after you. I have planned this in order to display my glory through Pharaoh and his whole army. After this the Egyptians will know that I am the LORD!” So the Israelites camped there as they were told.

English Standard Version
And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and he will pursue them, and I will get glory over Pharaoh and all his host, and the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD.” And they did so.

Berean Standard Bible
And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart so that he will pursue them. But I will gain honor by means of Pharaoh and all his army, and the Egyptians will know that I am the LORD.” So this is what the Israelites did.

King James Bible
And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, that he shall follow after them; and I will be honoured upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host; that the Egyptians may know that I am the LORD. And they did so.

New King James Version
Then I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, so that he will pursue them; and I will gain honor over Pharaoh and over all his army, that the Egyptians may know that I am the LORD.” And they did so.

New American Standard Bible
And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and he will chase after them; and I will be honored through Pharaoh and all his army, and the Egyptians will know that I am the LORD.” And they did so.

NASB 1995
“Thus I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and he will chase after them; and I will be honored through Pharaoh and all his army, and the Egyptians will know that I am the LORD.” And they did so.

NASB 1977
“Thus I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and he will chase after them; and I will be honored through Pharaoh and all his army, and the Egyptians will know that I am the LORD.” And they did so.

Legacy Standard Bible
Thus I will harden Pharaoh’s heart with strength, and he will pursue them; and I will be glorified through Pharaoh and all his army, so that the Egyptians will know that I am Yahweh.” And they did so.

Amplified Bible
I will harden (make stubborn, defiant) Pharaoh’s heart, so that he will pursue them; and I will be glorified and honored through Pharaoh and all his army, and the Egyptians shall know [without any doubt] and acknowledge that I am the LORD.” And they did so.

Christian Standard Bible
I will harden Pharaoh’s heart so that he will pursue them. Then I will receive glory by means of Pharaoh and all his army, and the Egyptians will know that I am the LORD.” So the Israelites did this.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
I will harden Pharaoh’s heart so that he will pursue them. Then I will receive glory by means of Pharaoh and all his army, and the Egyptians will know that I am Yahweh.” So the Israelites did this.

American Standard Version
And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and he shall follow after them; and I will get me honor upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host: and the Egyptians shall know that I am Jehovah. And they did so.

Contemporary English Version
I will make the king stubborn again, and he will try to catch you. Then I will destroy him and his army. People everywhere will praise me for my victory, and the Egyptians will know that I really am the LORD. The Israelites obeyed the LORD and camped where he told them.

English Revised Version
And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and he shall follow after them; and I will get me honour upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host; and the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD. And they did so.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
I will make Pharaoh so stubborn that he will pursue them. Then, because of what I do to Pharaoh and his entire army, I will receive honor, and the Egyptians will know that I am the LORD." So that is what the Israelites did.

Good News Translation
I will make him stubborn, and he will pursue you, and my victory over the king and his army will bring me honor. Then the Egyptians will know that I am the LORD." The Israelites did as they were told.

International Standard Version
I've made Pharaoh's heart stubborn so he will pursue them. But I'll receive honor by means of Pharaoh and his army, so that the Egyptians will know that I am the LORD." So this is what the Israelis did.

Majority Standard Bible
And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart so that he will pursue them. But I will gain honor by means of Pharaoh and all his army, and the Egyptians will know that I am the LORD.” So this is what the Israelites did.

NET Bible
I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and he will chase after them. I will gain honor because of Pharaoh and because of all his army, and the Egyptians will know that I am the LORD." So this is what they did.

New Heart English Bible
I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and he will follow after them; and I will get honor over Pharaoh, and over all his armies; and the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD." They did so.

Webster's Bible Translation
And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, that he shall follow them; and I will be honored upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host; that the Egyptians may know that I am the LORD. And they did so.

World English Bible
I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and he will follow after them; and I will get honor over Pharaoh, and over all his armies; and the Egyptians shall know that I am Yahweh.” They did so.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
and I have strengthened the heart of Pharaoh, and he has pursued after them, and I am honored by Pharaoh, and by all his force, and the Egyptians have known that I [am] YHWH”; and they do so.

Young's Literal Translation
and I have strengthened the heart of Pharaoh, and he hath pursued after them, and I am honoured on Pharaoh, and on all his force, and the Egyptians have known that I am Jehovah;' and they do so.

Smith's Literal Translation
And I bound fast Pharaoh's heart, and he pursued after them; and I will be honored in Pharaoh and all his army; and the Egyptians shall know that I am Jehovah. And they will do so.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
And I shall harden his heart, and he will pursue you: and I shall be glorified in Pharao, and in all his army: and the Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord. And they did so.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And I will harden his heart, and so he will pursue you. And I will be glorified in Pharaoh, and in all his army. And the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord.” And they did so.

New American Bible
I will so harden Pharaoh’s heart that he will pursue them. Thus I will receive glory through Pharaoh and all his army, and the Egyptians will know that I am the LORD. This the Israelites did.

New Revised Standard Version
I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and he will pursue them, so that I will gain glory for myself over Pharaoh and all his army; and the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD. And they did so.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
And the LORD said to Moses, I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and he will pursue them; and I will triumph over Pharaoh, and over all his army; and the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD. And they did so.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And LORD JEHOVAH said to Moshe, “I shall harden the heart of Pharaoh and he will pursue after them, and I shall be glorified by Pharaoh and by all his army, and the Egyptians shall know that I AM LORD JEHOVAH”, and they did so.

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and he shall follow after them; and I will get Me honour upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host; and the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD.' And they did so.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And I will harden the heart of Pharao, and he shall pursue after them; and I will be glorified in Pharao, and in all his host, and all the Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord. And they did so.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Pharaoh Pursues the Israelites
…3For Pharaoh will say of the Israelites, ‘They are wandering the land in confusion; the wilderness has boxed them in.’ 4And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart so that he will pursue them. But I will gain honor by means of Pharaoh and all his army, and the Egyptians will know that I am the LORD.” So this is what the Israelites did. 5When 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.”…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Romans 9:17-18
For the Scripture says to Pharaoh: “I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display My power in you, and that My name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” / Therefore God has mercy on whom He wants to have mercy, and He hardens whom He wants to harden.

Joshua 2:10-11
For we have heard how the LORD dried up the waters of the Red Sea before you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the two kings of the Amorites across the Jordan, whom you devoted to destruction. / When we heard this, our hearts melted and everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the LORD your God is God in the heavens above and on the earth below.

Psalm 106:7-8
Our fathers in Egypt did not grasp Your wonders or remember Your abundant kindness; but they rebelled by the sea, there at the Red Sea. / Yet He saved them for the sake of His name, to make His power known.

Ezekiel 38:16
You will advance against My people Israel like a cloud covering the land. It will happen in the latter days, O Gog, that I will bring you against My land, so that the nations may know Me when I show Myself holy in you before their eyes.

Romans 11:33-36
O, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments, and untraceable His ways! / “Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been His counselor?” / “Who has first given to God, that God should repay him?” ...

Isaiah 63:12-14
who sent His glorious arm to lead them by the right hand of Moses, who divided the waters before them to gain for Himself everlasting renown, / who led them through the depths like a horse in the wilderness, so that they did not stumble? / Like cattle going down to the valley, the Spirit of the LORD gave them rest. You led Your people this way to make for Yourself a glorious name.

Deuteronomy 4:34
Or has any god tried to take as his own a nation out of another nation—by trials, signs, wonders, and war, by a strong hand and an outstretched arm, and by great terrors—as the LORD your God did for you in Egypt, before your eyes?

1 Samuel 4:8
Woe to us! Who will deliver us from the hand of these mighty gods? These are the gods who struck the Egyptians with all kinds of plagues in the wilderness.

Nehemiah 9:10
You performed signs and wonders against Pharaoh, all his officials, and all the people of his land, for You knew they had acted with arrogance against our fathers. You made a name for Yourself that endures to this day.

Isaiah 45:23
By Myself I have sworn; truth has gone out from My mouth, a word that will not be revoked: Every knee will bow before Me, every tongue will swear allegiance.

John 12:28-30
Father, glorify Your name!” Then a voice came from heaven: “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” / The crowd standing there heard it and said that it had thundered. Others said that an angel had spoken to Him. / In response, Jesus said, “This voice was not for My benefit, but yours.

Revelation 15:3-4
and they sang the song of God’s servant Moses and of the Lamb: “Great and wonderful are Your works, O Lord God Almighty! Just and true are Your ways, O King of the nations! / Who will not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before You, for Your righteous acts have been revealed.”

1 Corinthians 10:1-2
I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that our forefathers were all under the cloud, and that they all passed through the sea. / They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea.

Hebrews 11:29
By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as on dry land; but when the Egyptians tried to follow, they were drowned.

Psalm 136:13-15
He divided the Red Sea in two His loving devotion endures forever. / and led Israel through the midst, His loving devotion endures forever. / but swept Pharaoh and his army into the Red Sea. His loving devotion endures forever.

Treasury of Scripture

And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, that he shall follow after them; and I will be honored on Pharaoh, and on all his host; that the Egyptians may know that I am the LORD. And they did so.

harden

Exodus 14:8,17
And the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he pursued after the children of Israel: and the children of Israel went out with an high hand…

Exodus 4:21
And the LORD said unto Moses, When thou goest to return into Egypt, see that thou do all those wonders before Pharaoh, which I have put in thine hand: but I will harden his heart, that he shall not let the people go.

Exodus 7:3,13,14
And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and multiply my signs and my wonders in the land of Egypt…

I will be

Exodus 14:18
And the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I have gotten me honour upon Pharaoh, upon his chariots, and upon his horsemen.

Exodus 9:16
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.

Exodus 15:10,11,14-16
Thou didst blow with thy wind, the sea covered them: they sank as lead in the mighty waters…

that the Egyptians

Exodus 7:5,17
And the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I stretch forth mine hand upon Egypt, and bring out the children of Israel from among them…

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Exodus 14

1. God instructs the Israelites in their journey
5. Pharaoh pursues after them
10. The Israelites murmur
13. Moses comforts them
15. God instructs Moses
19. The cloud removes behind the camp
21. The Israelites pass through the Red sea, which drowns the Egyptians

Berean Study Bible

And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart
This phrase reveals God's sovereign power over human hearts. The Hebrew word for "harden" is "חָזַק" (chazaq), which means to strengthen, make firm, or harden. In the context of Exodus, it signifies God's active role in fortifying Pharaoh's resolve against releasing the Israelites. This divine action serves a greater purpose in God's redemptive plan, demonstrating His authority over even the most powerful rulers. Historically, Pharaohs were seen as divine or semi-divine figures in Egyptian culture, making God's intervention a direct challenge to their perceived supremacy.

so that he will pursue them
The phrase indicates God's intention to draw Pharaoh into a pursuit. The Hebrew root "רָדַף" (radaph) means to chase or follow after. This pursuit is not merely a physical chase but a spiritual and moral confrontation. God orchestrates events to reveal His glory and power, setting the stage for a miraculous deliverance. The pursuit also serves as a test of faith for the Israelites, challenging them to trust in God's protection and provision.

But I will gain glory for Myself
Here, the focus shifts to God's ultimate purpose: His glory. The Hebrew word "כָּבוֹד" (kabod) refers to weightiness or honor. God's actions are designed to manifest His majesty and supremacy over all creation. In the ancient Near Eastern context, where gods were often associated with specific nations or territories, God's demonstration of power over Egypt underscores His universal sovereignty. This glory is not only for the benefit of the Israelites but also a testimony to the surrounding nations.

through Pharaoh and all his army
This phrase highlights the instruments of God's glory. Pharaoh and his army, symbols of earthly power and oppression, become tools in God's hands. The Hebrew word for "army" is "חַיִל" (chayil), which can mean strength, wealth, or force. By using Pharaoh's might to display His own, God subverts human expectations and reveals His ability to use even opposition for His purposes. This serves as a reminder that no earthly power can thwart God's plans.

and the Egyptians will know that I am the LORD
The culmination of God's actions is the revelation of His identity. The phrase "I am the LORD" uses the divine name "Yahweh," emphasizing His eternal, self-existent nature. The Egyptians, who worshipped a pantheon of gods, would come to recognize the uniqueness and supremacy of Yahweh. This acknowledgment is not just intellectual but experiential, as they witness His mighty acts. The historical context of polytheistic Egypt contrasts sharply with the monotheistic revelation of Yahweh, underscoring the transformative power of God's self-disclosure.

So the Israelites did this
The final phrase reflects the obedience of the Israelites. Their compliance with God's instructions is a testament to their growing faith and trust in His leadership. The Hebrew root "עָשָׂה" (asah) means to do or make, indicating action and response. This obedience is crucial for the unfolding of God's plan, as it positions the Israelites to witness His deliverance. It serves as an inspiration for believers to act in faith, trusting in God's promises and timing.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 4. - I will be honoured. See the comment on Exodus 9:16. That the Egyptians may know that I am the Lord. Compare above, ch. 7.§

CHAPTER 14:5-9

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

And I will harden
וְחִזַּקְתִּ֣י (wə·ḥiz·zaq·tî)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 2388: To fasten upon, to seize, be strong, obstinate, to bind, restrain, conquer

Pharaoh’s
פַּרְעֹה֮ (par·‘ōh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 6547: Pharaoh -- a title of Egypt kings

heart
לֵב־ (lêḇ-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3820: The heart, the feelings, the will, the intellect, centre

so that he will pursue
וְרָדַ֣ף (wə·rā·ḏap̄)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7291: To pursue, chase, persecute

them.
אַחֲרֵיהֶם֒ (’a·ḥă·rê·hem)
Preposition | third person masculine plural
Strong's 310: The hind or following part

But I will gain honor
וְאִכָּבְדָ֤ה (wə·’ik·kā·ḇə·ḏāh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Conjunctive imperfect Cohortative - first person common singular
Strong's 3513: To be heavy, weighty, or burdensome

by means of Pharaoh
בְּפַרְעֹה֙ (bə·p̄ar·‘ōh)
Preposition-b | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 6547: Pharaoh -- a title of Egypt kings

and all
וּבְכָל־ (ū·ḇə·ḵāl)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

his army,
חֵיל֔וֹ (ḥê·lōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 2426: An army, an intrenchment

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

will know
וְיָדְע֥וּ (wə·yā·ḏə·‘ū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 3045: To know

that
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

I
אֲנִ֣י (’ă·nî)
Pronoun - first person common singular
Strong's 589: I

am the LORD.”
יְהוָ֑ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

So this is what
כֵֽן׃ (ḵên)
Adverb
Strong's 3651: So -- thus

the Israelites did.
וַיַּֽעֲשׂוּ־ (way·ya·‘ă·śū-)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 6213: To do, make

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OT Law: Exodus 14:4 I will harden Pharaoh's heart and he (Exo. Ex)