Topical Bible: Hypocrisy: Pharaoh

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In the biblical narrative, Pharaoh, the ruler of Egypt, is often depicted as a figure embodying hypocrisy, particularly in his interactions with Moses and the Israelites. The account of Pharaoh's duplicity is primarily found in the Book of Exodus, where his actions reveal a pattern of deceit and insincerity.

Pharaoh's hypocrisy is most evident in his repeated promises to release the Israelites from bondage, only to renege on these promises once the immediate threat or discomfort has passed. This cycle begins when Moses and Aaron, acting under God's command, approach Pharaoh with the demand, "Let My people go, so that they may hold a feast to Me in the wilderness" (Exodus 5:1). Pharaoh's initial response is one of defiance, questioning the authority of the LORD and refusing to release the Israelites.

As God sends a series of plagues upon Egypt, Pharaoh's stance begins to waver. During the plague of frogs, Pharaoh entreats Moses and Aaron to pray to the LORD for relief, promising, "I will let the people go, that they may sacrifice to the LORD" (Exodus 8:8). However, once the plague is lifted, Pharaoh hardens his heart and refuses to honor his word (Exodus 8:15).

This pattern of false promises continues throughout the subsequent plagues. During the plague of flies, Pharaoh again offers a concession, allowing the Israelites to sacrifice within the land of Egypt (Exodus 8:25). Yet, when pressed by Moses for full compliance, Pharaoh agrees to let them go into the wilderness, only to retract his permission once the plague is removed (Exodus 8:28-32).

Pharaoh's duplicity reaches a climax during the plague of hail. Struck by the severity of the plague, Pharaoh confesses, "I have sinned this time. The LORD is righteous, and I and my people are wicked" (Exodus 9:27). Despite this admission, once the hail ceases, Pharaoh's heart remains hardened, and he refuses to release the Israelites (Exodus 9:34-35).

The narrative of Pharaoh's hypocrisy serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of insincere repentance and the consequences of a hardened heart. His repeated failure to keep his promises not only prolongs the suffering of his own people but also demonstrates a profound disregard for the divine authority of God. Pharaoh's actions highlight the biblical theme that true repentance requires a genuine change of heart, not merely words spoken in the face of adversity.

Pharaoh's account is a powerful reminder of the importance of integrity and the perils of hypocrisy, as his insincere actions ultimately lead to the devastating loss of the firstborn in Egypt and the eventual liberation of the Israelites.

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Exodus 8:15,28,29,32
But when Pharaoh saw that there was respite, he hardened his heart, and listened not to them; as the LORD had said.
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Exodus 9:27-35
And Pharaoh sent, and called for Moses and Aaron, and said to them, I have sinned this time: the LORD is righteous, and I and my people are wicked.
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Exodus 10:8-29
And Moses and Aaron were brought again to Pharaoh: and he said to them, Go, serve the LORD your God: but who are they that shall go?
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Library

Lii. Concerning Hypocrisy, Worldly Anxiety, Watchfulness, and his ...
... The spirit of hypocrisy works in two ways: it causes the bad man to hide his badness
for fear of the good man, and the good man to ... [As Pharaoh exalted Joseph ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/lii concerning hypocrisy worldly anxiety.htm

Impossible that Marcion's Christ Should Reprove the Faithless ...
... [4396] For whereas Pharaoh forbade infants to be brought up, he will not ... [4406] If
it were from pride or from hypocrisy that he had said, "I will follow Thee ...
/.../chapter xxiii impossible that marcions christ.htm

Prosperity under Persecution
... God has overruled it, as he did in the case of Pharaoh's oppression of the ... destruction
awaits such violation of truth, for God will surely avenge hypocrisy. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/prosperity under persecution.htm

ecce Iterum Crispinus!'
... A Pharaoh!' said Philip, passionately. ... at Alexandria, where they grew more and more
miserable as they began to see the greed, tyranny, and hypocrisy of their ...
/.../chapter xliii ecce iterum crispinus.htm

On Baptism.
... the beginning of the Gospel tidings: for Israel deliverance from Pharaoh was through ...
of piety, but believes not from the heart; having the hypocrisy of Simon ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/lecture iii on baptism.htm

"In the Volume of the Book it is Written of Me" (Heb. . .
... In all of these ten respects (and in others which the student may search out for
himself) Pharaoh was a striking and accurate ... Second, observe his hypocrisy. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the antichrist/in the volume of the.htm

2 Timothy iii. 4-Jan
... the daughters of men; afterwards Ham and Japhet, Abraham and Pharaoh, Jacob and ... the
other, something that is lifeless, a mere appearance, show, and hypocrisy. ...
/.../homily viii 2 timothy iii.htm

Blessed are they that Mourn
... Pharaoh grieved that he had let the children of Israel go' (Exodus 14:5). Many are
so ... it for a man to put a cheat upon his own soul, and by hypocrisy to sweep ...
/.../the beatitudes an exposition of matthew 51-12/6 blessed are they that.htm

Entangled in the Land
... pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil." The Pharaoh of the ... Cruel mockings,
accusations of hypocrisy, slanders, and unkindnesses are not spared to ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/entangled in the land.htm

Matt. xii. 38, 39
... to be doing nothing new; He was also unfolding their secrets, how with hypocrisy
and as ... But let us not be sanguine, but fear; since Pharaoh too, had he been ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily xliii matt xii 38.htm