What does it mean that Pharaoh hardened his heart?

from the old testament

• God sent Moses to free the Israelites from captivity (Exodus 3:10). When He sent Moses, He explained that Pharaoh’s heart would be hardened against God and would be so because God would harden it (Exodus 4:21). However, as the story progresses, we learn that Pharaoh’s heart was hardened because of Pharaoh’s rebellion, not because God was forcing him to rebel. In this way we see God’s sovereignty working in hand with human responsibility.
• A hardened heart knows the truth yet willingly rejects the truth. Pharaoh had front-row seats to the plagues God brought on Egypt (e.g., Exodus 7:10–12; 8:16–19; 9:13–16). Sometimes he even backed down (Exodus 8:8; 9:27), but as soon as God removed the plague, he hardened his heart again (Exodus 8:15, 8:32; 9:34). This was Pharaoh knowing what God could do, knowing that he could not compete with God, and yet ignoring what he knew to be true. That is the definition of hardening one’s heart.
• Even after Pharaoh relented and let the people go, he was unwilling to submit to God and chased them down, resulting in his army’s destruction (Exodus 14:5–9, 26–28). A hardened heart results in the loss of sense because it means willfully ignoring truth for a lie. In this case, that lack of sense resulted in a foolish pursuit that resulted in the death of many.

from the new testament

• Paul, while describing God’s sovereignty over humanity, his “clay” (9:20–21), interpreted Pharaoh’s hardened heart as exemplifying God displaying His power through human sin. Paul said, “For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, ‘For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” So then he has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills” (Romans 9:17–18).
• The New Testament always places the responsibility on the one hardening his or her heart, saying that it’s their sin that causes the hardness (Hebrews 3:7–8). Even believers are warned not to allow sin to remain, as its deceitfulness can lead one to fall away (Hebrews 3:9–15).

implications for today

Pharaoh had everything he needed to be convinced that Moses’ God was powerful, yet he refused to acknowledge Him as God or obey Him. In many ways, he is a textbook case of someone hardening his or her heart.

In Romans 1:18–32, Paul spoke about mankind’s general hardened state. He taught that everyone knows God exists and is angry with sinners. They know it because they see His eternal power and divine nature both in creation and within themselves. Yet, many refuse to acknowledge Him as God or obey Him. Because of their sin, they willingly suppress what they know about God to continue sinning.

Suppressing what is “clearly perceived” is the act of hardening one’s heart against the knowledge of the truth. If we do it too long, we become deadened to the fact that there is judgment to pay. We become comfortable in this life by pretending there’s no life to come.

Consider your own heart. Are you refusing to believe that God exists? Do you think sin is no big deal? Are you more worried about fulfilling your desires today than about what happens when you die? Those may be signs that your heart is already hard.

What can you do? First, pray that God would open your eyes (Psalm 119:18). Second, repent of your sin and trust in Jesus’ saving work (Romans 10:9–10). Third, strive to know God better so that you can obey Him better (2 Peter 3:18). Fourth, get involved with other believers who can help you to continue to put your sin to death (Hebrews 10:24–25).

Know that God can soften hearts of stone (Ezekiel 36:26), and as long as you live, you are not beyond hope. Turn today and be saved!