What does it mean that God hardened Pharaoh’s heart in this passage?

When it says God hardened Pharaoh’s heart, it shows that God gave Pharaoh over to the stubbornness he already chose. Pharaoh had long refused to obey God, even after many warnings and signs. God then used Pharaoh’s stubborn heart to make His power and glory clear through the plagues. This is not God forcing an innocent man to sin, but God confirming a proud ruler in the path he kept choosing, so that everyone would see that no one can stand against God and win.

Why did God send the plague of locusts on Egypt?

God sent locusts as a judgment because Pharaoh still refused to humble himself and let God’s people go. Earlier hail had already ruined much of the land, and the locusts were sent to eat everything that remained. They covered the land so thickly that the ground could not be seen and every green thing was gone. This showed that God rules over nature, that human power cannot protect against His word, and that holding onto sin and pride can strip away what people depend on for life.

What is the meaning of the thick darkness that could be felt?

The darkness over Egypt was not just a cloudy day. It lasted three days and was so heavy that people did not move from their places and could not see one another. It is described as a darkness that could be felt, showing how complete and oppressive it was. This sign showed God’s power over light itself and pointed to the spiritual darkness of hearts that refuse Him. At the same time, the children of Israel had light in their homes, showing that God can protect His people even when judgment falls around them.

Why did Pharaoh keep trying to bargain about who could go?

Pharaoh tried to keep control by allowing only part of Israel to go. First he wanted just the men to leave, keeping women, children, and flocks as a kind of hostage so the people would return. Later he wanted to keep the animals. Moses refused these offers because God had commanded that all His people go out to serve Him, with all their possessions. This shows that God is not pleased with half-obedience. Serving Him is not something to be shared with another master or kept under the control of a human ruler.

Was Pharaoh’s confession of sin genuine when he called Moses in haste?

Pharaoh’s words, “I have sinned against the LORD your God, and against you,” sound right at first, but the story shows they were shallow. He wanted the locusts taken away more than he wanted his heart changed. As soon as God removed the plague, he went back to his old ways, and his heart was hardened again. This warns us that saying the right words in a crisis is not the same as real repentance. True turning to God means a changed will, not just a desire to escape trouble.

Why did God tell Moses to teach this story to his son and grandson?

God wanted His people to remember what He had done in Egypt and to pass it on to their children and grandchildren. The rescue from Egypt, and the signs that came with it, were not just for that one generation. Parents were to tell their families how God acted with power and mercy so that each new generation would know Him, trust Him, and fear Him. This shows that God’s works in history are meant to be remembered, talked about at home, and used to build faith in the hearts of children.

What does this passage teach about pride and humility before God?

In this passage, God asks through Moses, “How long wilt thou refuse to humble thyself before me?” Pharaoh had power and position, but he would not bow his will to God. His pride led to his country’s ruin and brought suffering on his people. Even when he admits sin, he still clings to control. The story teaches that real wisdom is to humble ourselves under God’s hand, to listen when He corrects us, and not to wait until our choices have caused great harm before we yield to Him.

How does God show both judgment and mercy in these plagues?

God’s judgment is seen in the locusts and the darkness that fall on Egypt after many warnings. The land is stripped and daily life comes to a stop. Yet there is mercy too. God sends warnings before the plagues. He allows Pharaoh to call for Moses. When Moses prays, God removes the locusts completely, so that not one remains. God also spares Israel and gives them light. This shows that God is just and does not ignore evil, but He also listens to prayer and is ready to show kindness.

How can believers today apply the lessons of this passage?

This passage invites us to examine our hearts for the same kind of stubbornness seen in Pharaoh. We can ask whether we are trying to bargain with God or hold back areas of life from His rule. It also encourages parents and older believers to tell younger ones about God’s work in their lives, just as Moses was told to speak to his son and grandson. Finally, it reminds us to trust God’s power over every situation, even when things feel dark, knowing that He cares for those who belong to Him.

Exod.10.1

Exodus 10:1

KJV GOD

And the Lord said unto Moses, Go in unto Pharaoh: for I have hardened his heart, and the heart of his servants, that I might shew these my signs before him:

The Eighth Plague: Locusts

1 And the Lord said unto Moses, Go in unto Pharaoh: for I have hardened his heart, and the heart of his servants, that I might shew these my signs before him:

2 And that thou mayest tell in the ears of thy son, and of thy son’s son, what things I have wrought in Egypt, and my signs which I have done among them; that ye may know how that I am the Lord.

3 And Moses and Aaron came in unto Pharaoh, and said unto him, Thus saith the Lord God of the Hebrews, How long wilt thou refuse to humble thyself before me? let my people go, that they may serve me.

4 Else, if thou refuse to let my people go, behold, to morrow will I bring the locusts into thy coast:

5 And they shall cover the face of the earth, that one cannot be able to see the earth: and they shall eat the residue of that which is escaped, which remaineth unto you from the hail, and shall eat every tree which groweth for you out of the field:

6 And they shall fill thy houses, and the houses of all thy servants, and the houses of all the Egyptians; which neither thy fathers, nor thy fathers’ fathers have seen, since the day that they were upon the earth unto this day. And he turned himself, and went out from Pharaoh.

7 And Pharaoh’s servants said unto him, How long shall this man be a snare unto us? let the men go, that they may serve the Lord their God: knowest thou not yet that Egypt is destroyed?

8 And Moses and Aaron were brought again unto Pharaoh: and he said unto them, Go, serve the Lord your God: but who are they that shall go?

9 And Moses said, We will go with our young and with our old, with our sons and with our daughters, with our flocks and with our herds will we go; for we must hold a feast unto the Lord.

10 And he said unto them, Let the Lord be so with you, as I will let you go, and your little ones: look to it; for evil is before you.

11 Not so: go now ye that are men, and serve the Lord; for that ye did desire. And they were driven out from Pharaoh’s presence.

12 ¶ And the Lord said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand over the land of Egypt for the locusts, that they may come up upon the land of Egypt, and eat every herb of the land, even all that the hail hath left.

13 And Moses stretched forth his rod over the land of Egypt, and the Lord brought an east wind upon the land all that day, and all that night; and when it was morning, the east wind brought the locusts.

14 And the locusts went up over all the land of Egypt, and rested in all the coasts of Egypt: very grievous were they; before them there were no such locusts as they, neither after them shall be such.

15 For they covered the face of the whole earth, so that the land was darkened; and they did eat every herb of the land, and all the fruit of the trees which the hail had left: and there remained not any green thing in the trees, or in the herbs of the field, through all the land of Egypt.

16 ¶ Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron in haste; and he said, I have sinned against the Lord your God, and against you.

17 Now therefore forgive, I pray thee, my sin only this once, and intreat the Lord your God, that he may take away from me this death only.

18 And he went out from Pharaoh, and intreated the Lord.

19 And the Lord turned a mighty strong west wind, which took away the locusts, and cast them into the Red sea; there remained not one locust in all the coasts of Egypt.

20 But the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart, so that he would not let the children of Israel go.

The Ninth Plague: Darkness

21 ¶ And the Lord said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand toward heaven, that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, even darkness which may be felt.

22 And Moses stretched forth his hand toward heaven; and there was a thick darkness in all the land of Egypt three days:

23 They saw not one another, neither rose any from his place for three days: but all the children of Israel had light in their dwellings.

24 ¶ And Pharaoh called unto Moses, and said, Go ye, serve the Lord; only let your flocks and your herds be stayed: let your little ones also go with you.

25 And Moses said, Thou must give us also sacrifices and burnt offerings, that we may sacrifice unto the Lord our God.

26 Our cattle also shall go with us; there shall not an hoof be left behind; for thereof must we take to serve the Lord our God; and we know not with what we must serve the Lord, until we come thither.

27 ¶ But the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he would not let them go.

28 And Pharaoh said unto him, Get thee from me, take heed to thyself, see my face no more; for in that day thou seest my face thou shalt die.

29 And Moses said, Thou hast spoken well, I will see thy face again no more.

Cross References

No cross references available for this verse.