Exodus 14:17 - Behold, I myself will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, and they shall go in after them: and I will get myself honor over Pharaoh, and over all his armies, over his chariots, and over his horsemen.
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What does "Exodus 14:17" mean?
This verse, Exodus 14:17, is part of the larger narrative of the Exodus, where God is leading the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt. To understand its meaning, we need to consider the context:
The Situation: The Israelites have been released by Pharaoh after the ten plagues. They are now leaving Egypt, heading towards the Red Sea. Pharaoh, however, has changed his mind and is pursuing them with his army.
"Behold, I myself will harden the hearts of the Egyptians...": This is a crucial and often debated part of the verse. "Harden the heart" means to make someone stubborn, unyielding, and resistant to reason or persuasion. In this case, God is saying He will make the Egyptians even more determined to pursue the Israelites. This raises a complex theological question: is God manipulating their free will? Various interpretations exist:
God's Sovereignty: Some interpret this literally, believing God is exercising His absolute sovereignty over all things, including human will. He is actively making the Egyptians more obstinate to fulfill His plan.
Permissive Will: Others argue that God isn't directly forcing the Egyptians to change their minds, but rather withdrawing His restraining influence, allowing their own pride and anger to take over. Their hearts were already inclined towards chasing the Israelites; God simply permits this inclination to intensify.
Foreknowledge: Some suggest that God, knowing the Egyptians' hearts and the choices they would freely make, declares beforehand that their hearts will be hardened. It's a prophecy based on divine omniscience.
Figurative Language: It could also be interpreted as a figurative expression of God's power. By creating the circumstances and opportunities for the Egyptians to act according to their desires, God ensures their eventual defeat.
"...and they shall go in after them...": This means the Egyptians will continue their pursuit of the Israelites into the Red Sea. God is setting the stage for their ultimate defeat.
"...and I will get myself honor over Pharaoh, and over all his armies, over his chariots, and over his horsemen.": This is the purpose behind hardening their hearts. God wants to demonstrate His power and glory by defeating Pharaoh and his entire army. The Exodus story is not just about liberating the Israelites, but also about revealing God's power and establishing His reputation. God will be "honored" in the eyes of the Israelites and, ultimately, the surrounding nations as they witness His miraculous intervention.
In summary, Exodus 14:17 means that God is actively orchestrating the events surrounding the Exodus. By "hardening the hearts" of the Egyptians (through direct action, permissive will, or foreknowledge), He is ensuring that they will pursue the Israelites, allowing Him to demonstrate His power and glory through their defeat. The verse highlights God's sovereignty, His plan for the Israelites' deliverance, and His intention to be recognized as the supreme God.
Exodus 14:17 - Behold, I myself will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, and they shall go in after them: and I will get myself honor over Pharaoh, and over all his armies, over his chariots, and over his horsemen.
What does "Exodus 14:17" mean?
This verse, Exodus 14:17, is part of the larger narrative of the Exodus, where God is leading the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt. To understand its meaning, we need to consider the context:
The Situation: The Israelites have been released by Pharaoh after the ten plagues. They are now leaving Egypt, heading towards the Red Sea. Pharaoh, however, has changed his mind and is pursuing them with his army.
"Behold, I myself will harden the hearts of the Egyptians...": This is a crucial and often debated part of the verse. "Harden the heart" means to make someone stubborn, unyielding, and resistant to reason or persuasion. In this case, God is saying He will make the Egyptians even more determined to pursue the Israelites. This raises a complex theological question: is God manipulating their free will? Various interpretations exist:
God's Sovereignty: Some interpret this literally, believing God is exercising His absolute sovereignty over all things, including human will. He is actively making the Egyptians more obstinate to fulfill His plan.
Permissive Will: Others argue that God isn't directly forcing the Egyptians to change their minds, but rather withdrawing His restraining influence, allowing their own pride and anger to take over. Their hearts were already inclined towards chasing the Israelites; God simply permits this inclination to intensify.
Foreknowledge: Some suggest that God, knowing the Egyptians' hearts and the choices they would freely make, declares beforehand that their hearts will be hardened. It's a prophecy based on divine omniscience.
Figurative Language: It could also be interpreted as a figurative expression of God's power. By creating the circumstances and opportunities for the Egyptians to act according to their desires, God ensures their eventual defeat.
"...and they shall go in after them...": This means the Egyptians will continue their pursuit of the Israelites into the Red Sea. God is setting the stage for their ultimate defeat.
"...and I will get myself honor over Pharaoh, and over all his armies, over his chariots, and over his horsemen.": This is the purpose behind hardening their hearts. God wants to demonstrate His power and glory by defeating Pharaoh and his entire army. The Exodus story is not just about liberating the Israelites, but also about revealing God's power and establishing His reputation. God will be "honored" in the eyes of the Israelites and, ultimately, the surrounding nations as they witness His miraculous intervention.
In summary, Exodus 14:17 means that God is actively orchestrating the events surrounding the Exodus. By "hardening the hearts" of the Egyptians (through direct action, permissive will, or foreknowledge), He is ensuring that they will pursue the Israelites, allowing Him to demonstrate His power and glory through their defeat. The verse highlights God's sovereignty, His plan for the Israelites' deliverance, and His intention to be recognized as the supreme God.