Exodus 7:3 Meaning and Explanation
“And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and multiply my signs and my wonders in the land of Egypt.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →God will strengthen Pharaoh's resistance while performing multiplying signs and wonders to demonstrate His power.
The Context of Exodus 7:3
God announces His strategy for the confrontation with Pharaoh.
What Does Exodus 7:3 Mean?
God's hardening of Pharaoh's heart is presented as His action, yet the narrative shows Pharaoh also hardens his own heart. The hardening serves a purpose: it allows God's power to be fully displayed through escalating signs rather than compliance after the first demand. Each plague becomes another revelation of God's authority.
The signs and wonders are not mere tricks—they are deliberate demonstrations of God's power over Egypt's gods, natural systems, and the forces Egyptians believed controlled their prosperity. The multiplication intensifies the revelation.
Exodus 7:3 in the Original Language
qashah (קָשָׁה), 'hardened' — from the root meaning to be stiff, hard, or stubborn. In this context, God causes Pharaoh's opposition to become unyielding, allowing the full scope of His power to unfold.
Frequently Asked Questions About Exodus 7:3
What does Exodus 7:3 mean?
God will strengthen Pharaoh's resistance while performing multiplying signs and wonders to demonstrate His power.
What is the context of Exodus 7:3?
God announces His strategy for the confrontation with Pharaoh.