Exodus 7:14 (KJV)

What does Exodus 7:14 mean?

Exodus 7:14 means that God told Moses Pharaoh’s heart was stubborn and unyielding, and Pharaoh was not willing to let the Israelites leave Egypt. The verse highlights Pharaoh’s refusal to obey God’s command, setting the stage for the coming plagues.

In this verse, the LORD (God) is speaking directly to Moses, making it clear that Pharaoh, the ruler of Egypt, is deliberately resisting. The situation is tense: Moses is about to confront Pharaoh again, and God is preparing Moses by explaining Pharaoh’s hardened attitude. This moment marks a turning point where God’s patience with Pharaoh’s stubbornness is running out, and it signals that more dramatic actions are about to follow.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 7:14

• "hardened" (כָּבֵד, kaved): This word often means “heavy” or “dull,” and here it describes Pharaoh’s heart as weighed down or stubborn, not just emotionally resistant but almost immovable.
• "heart" (לֵב, lev): In Hebrew thought, the “heart” is not just feelings but the center of will and decision-making. Pharaoh’s refusal is a deliberate, willful act.
• "refuseth" (מָאֵן, ma’en): This word means to refuse or be unwilling, showing that Pharaoh’s resistance is intentional, not accidental or out of ignorance.

Why Exodus 7:14 matters

• The verse clarifies that Pharaoh’s resistance is not a misunderstanding or a mistake; it is a conscious, stubborn refusal to obey God’s command.
• By describing Pharaoh’s heart as “hardened,” Exodus 7:14 sets up the pattern for the rest of the conflict between Pharaoh and God, where Pharaoh’s stubbornness leads to escalating consequences.
• This verse helps the reader see that the coming plagues are not arbitrary but are a response to Pharaoh’s persistent, willful opposition.