King James Version

What Does Exodus 14:17 Mean?

Exodus 14:17 in the King James Version says “And I, behold, I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, and they shall follow them: and I will get me honour upon Phar... — study this verse from Exodus chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And I, behold, I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, and they shall follow them: and I will get me honour upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host, upon his chariots, and upon his horsemen.

Exodus 14:17 · KJV


Context

15

And the LORD said unto Moses, Wherefore criest thou unto me? speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward:

16

But lift thou up thy rod, and stretch out thine hand over the sea, and divide it: and the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea.

17

And I, behold, I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, and they shall follow them: and I will get me honour upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host, upon his chariots, and upon his horsemen.

18

And the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I have gotten me honour upon Pharaoh, upon his chariots, and upon his horsemen.

19

And the angel of God, which went before the camp of Israel, removed and went behind them; and the pillar of the cloud went from before their face, and stood behind them:


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
God's declaration 'I, behold, I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians' uses emphatic double pronoun (ani hineni, אֲנִי הִנְנִי—I, behold, I), stressing personal divine agency. The purpose: 'they shall follow them' ensures Egypt enters the trap. The outcome: 'I will get me honour upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host, upon his chariots, and upon his horsemen' reveals this as divine glory-display through judgment. God receives honor by demonstrating His power over earth's powers.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

God's hardening Egyptian hearts to pursue Israel into the sea ensured their destruction. This judicial hardening fulfilled God's purpose to demonstrate His supremacy to all nations.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God sometimes using enemy opposition to accomplish His purposes comfort you in persecution?
  2. What does God being 'honoured' through judgment teach about His glory displayed in both mercy and wrath?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 14 words
וַֽאֲנִ֗י1 of 14
H589

i

הִנְנִ֤י2 of 14
H2005

lo!; also (as expressing surprise) if

מְחַזֵּק֙3 of 14

And I behold I will harden

H2388

to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous, causatively strengthen, cure, help, repair, fortify), obstinate; to bind, restra

אֶת4 of 14
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

לֵ֣ב5 of 14

the hearts

H3820

the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything

מִצְרַ֔יִם6 of 14

of the Egyptians

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

וְיָבֹ֖אוּ7 of 14

and they shall follow

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

אַֽחֲרֵיהֶ֑ם8 of 14

them

H310

properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

וְאִכָּֽבְדָ֤ה9 of 14

and I will get me honour

H3513

to be heavy, i.e., in a bad sense (burdensome, severe, dull) or in a good sense (numerous, rich, honorable); causatively, to make weighty (in the same

בְּפַרְעֹה֙10 of 14

upon Pharaoh

H6547

paroh, a general title of egyptian kings

וּבְכָל11 of 14
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

חֵיל֔וֹ12 of 14

and upon all his host

H2428

probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength

בְּרִכְבּ֖וֹ13 of 14

upon his chariots

H7393

a vehicle; by implication, a team; by extension, cavalry; by analogy a rider, i.e., the upper millstone

וּבְפָֽרָשָֽׁיו׃14 of 14

and upon his horsemen

H6571

a steed (as stretched out to a vehicle, not single nor for mounting ); also (by implication) a driver (in a chariot), i.e., (collectively) cavalry


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Exodus. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Exodus 14:17 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Exodus 14:17 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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