Exodus 4:21

Translations

Modern

The LORD instructed Moses, “When you go back to Egypt, see that you perform before Pharaoh all the wonders that I have put within your power. But I will harden his heart so that he will not let the people go.

Traditional

And the Lord said unto Moses, When thou goest to return into Egypt, see that thou do all those wonders before Pharaoh, which I have put in thine hand: but I will harden his heart, that he shall not let the people go.

Literal

And YHWH said to Moses, “When you go to return to Egypt, see all the wonders that I have put in your hand, and you do them before the face of Pharaoh. And I will strengthen his heart, and he will not send out. the people

Latin

Dixitque ei Dominus revertenti in Ægyptum: Vide ut omnia ostenta quæ posui in manu tua, facias coram Pharaone: ego indurabo cor ejus, et non dimittet populum.

Original

Hebrew

English

The LORD instructed Moses, “When you go back to Egypt, see that you perform before Pharaoh all the wonders that I have put within your power. But I will harden his heart so that he will not let the people go.

Notes

Exodus 4:21–23

These verses summarize the upcoming chapters. They start with the request to let the people go to worship God and end with the final plague, the death of the firstborn (5:3; 11:4–6). God was preparing the rescuer for the challenging task ahead (see 11:9).

Exodus 3:1–4:28

This section describes the mission God gave Moses to rescue the Israelites from Egyptian slavery. It is divided into two parts, 3:1–4:17 and 4:18–28.

The first part describes God's call. The second part describes the full consequences of accepting that call. Moses not only experienced a career change, but he also had to completely change his life.

Theme notes and profiles

Egypt Moses Hardened Hearts Miraculous Signs in the Gospel of John

Related verses

Romans 9:18
Therefore God has mercy on whom He wants to have mercy, and He hardens whom He wants to harden.
Isaiah 63:17
Why, O LORD, do You make us stray from Your ways and harden our hearts from fearing You? Return, for the sake of Your servants, the tribes of Your heritage.
Joshua 11:20
For it was of the LORD to harden their hearts to engage Israel in battle, so that they would be set apart for destruction and would receive no mercy, being annihilated as the LORD had commanded Moses.
Exodus 14:8
And the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt so that he pursued the Israelites, who were marching out defiantly.
Exodus 9:35–10:1
So Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he would not let the Israelites go, just as the LORD had said through Moses.
Exodus 7:13
Still, Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he would not listen to them, just as the LORD had said.
Exodus 9:12
But the LORD hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he would not listen to them, just as the LORD had said to Moses.
Exodus 3:20
So I will stretch out My hand and strike the Egyptians with all the wonders I will perform among them. And after that, he will release you.
John 12:40
“He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, so that they cannot see with their eyes, and understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them.”
Exodus 10:20
But the LORD hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he would not let the Israelites go.
Exodus 7:3
But I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and though I will multiply My signs and wonders in the land of Egypt,
Exodus 14:4
And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart so that he will pursue them. But I will gain honor by means of Pharaoh and all his army, and the Egyptians will know that I am the LORD.” So this is what the Israelites did.

People

Moses: Prophet who led Israel out of Egypt Pharaoh: Egyptian Pharaoh during the Exodus

Places

Egypt: Ancient nation; Israelites enslaved there; plagues and Exodus

Glossary

Aaron Book of Exodus Bronze Snake, Bronze Serpent Deuteronomy, Book of Hardness of Heart History of Israel Prophet, Prophetess

Topics

Character of the Unrenewed Heart: Often Judicially Hardened Heart: Hardened Hearts: Pharoah Heart: The Unregenerate is Judicially Hardened Moses: His Controversy with his Wife on Account of Circumcision

Exodus 4:21

Translations?

Original?

Notes?

Related verses?