Dictionary Article

The first references to the hardening of the heart exemplify the fundamental features of this doctrine in Scripture. The number of times it is referred to is surprising; there are at least 20 references to the hardening of Pharaoh’s heart in the OT alone, as well as Paul’s exposition of its significance in Romans 9:17-24.

Show passage in OET: ROM 9:17–24

OET-RV ROM 9:17

17 After all, in the scriptures, God says to the king of Mitsrayim (Egypt): ‘I chose you as king so that I can demonstrate my power through you, and so that my name will be talked about all over the world.’

OET-RV ROM 9:18

18 In other words, God will be merciful to whoever he wants to, but he hardens whoever he wants to.

OET-RV ROM 9:19

19 So now you’ll ask me: Then how can God blame us, because how could anyone resist whatever he wants to do?

OET-RV ROM 9:20

20 Oh human, are you talking back to God? Can the creature that was made talk back to the maker and ask: ‘Why did you make me like this?’

OET-RV ROM 9:21

21 Doesn’t the potter have the right to split the lump of clay and make a beautiful bowl out of half and a chamber pot out of the other half?

OET-RV ROM 9:22

22 What if God wanted to display his severe anger and to demonstrate his power, but then showed great patience to the objects of his severe anger that he’d prepared for destruction?

OET-RV ROM 9:23

23 What if he did that in order to make the riches of his greatness known to the objects of his mercy that he’d prepared for honour?

OET-RV ROM 9:24

24 Yes, he even called us, not only from among the Yehudim (Jews) but also from non-Jews.

OET-LV ROM 9:17

17 For/Because is _saying the scripture to_ the _Faraō/(Farˊoh), that For/Because same reason this I _raised _up you, so _that I _may _display in you the power of _me, and so _that may _be _proclaimed the name of _me in all the earth.

OET-LV ROM 9:18

18 Therefore consequently to _whom he _is _wanting, he _is _showing _mercy, but whom he _is _wanting, he _is _hardening.

OET-LV ROM 9:19

19 You _will _be _saying therefore to _me:
Therefore why still he _is _blaming?
For/Because against _the the_counsel of _him who has _resisted?

OET-LV ROM 9:20

20 Oh person, indeed _rather you who are, the one answering _back to_ the _god?
Not will _be _saying the formed thing, to _the one having _formed it:
Why me you _made thus?

OET-LV ROM 9:21

21 Or not is _having authority the potter over _the clay, out _of the same lump to _make one on _one _hand to honour vessel, on _the _other _hand one to dishonour?

OET-LV ROM 9:22

22 And if wanting the god to _display his severe _anger, and to _make _known the powerful of _him, bore in much patience, the_vessels of _severe _anger having _been _prepared for destruction,

OET-LV ROM 9:23

23 and in _order _that he _may _make _known the riches of _the glory of _him on the_vessels of _mercy, which he _previously _prepared for glory,

OET-LV ROM 9:24

24 whom even he _called, us not only from the_Youdaiōns, but also from the_pagans?

Jump to OET ROM 9:17–24 section.

The first reference is Exodus 4:21, where God promises Moses that he will harden Pharaoh’s heart that he might not allow the Israelites to go. This promise is repeated (see Ex 7:3; 14:4, 17 OET EXO 14:4 · OET EXO 14:17) and rapidly comes to pass (7:13-14), as revelation and miracle follow one another before the eyes of Pharaoh, followed by the actual occurrence of the events God warned about, including all the judgments of the 10 plagues.

Show passage in OET: EXO 4:21

OET-RV EXO 4:21

21 On the way, Yahweh said to Mosheh, “When you return to Mitsrayim, all those miracles that I gave you, you’ll be able to demonstrate them in front of Par’oh (Pharaoh), but as for me, I’m going to make him stubborn so that he won’t let your people leave.

OET-LV EXO 4:21

21 And_ YHWH _he/it _said to Mosheh when_go_you to_return to_Miʦrayim see all _of the_wonders which I _have _put in_hand _of_your and_you_will _do _them to_(the)_face _of/in _front _of/before Parˊoh and_I I _will _make _strong DOM his/its_heart and_not he _will _let _go DOM the_people.

Show passage in OET: EXO 7:3

OET-RV EXO 7:3

3 But I’ll make Par’oh stubborn and so I’ll increase the signs and miracles that I’ll do in Mitsrayim.

OET-LV EXO 7:3

3 And_I I _will _make _stubborn DOM the _heart _of Parˊoh and_I _will _multiply DOM signs _of_my and_DOM wonders _of_my in_land of _Miʦrayim.

Show passage in OET: EXO 14:4; EXO 14:17

OET-RV EXO 14:4

4 I’ll strengthen Par’oh’s resolve and he’ll chase after them. Then because of Par’oh and all his army, I’ll be honoured and the Mitsrim (Egyptians) will know that I am Yahweh.” So the Israelis camped where they were instructed.

OET-RV EXO 14:17

17 Yes, watch me! I’ll strengthen the resolve of the Mitsrim and they’ll enter between the sea after them. Then I’ll be honoured because of what will happen to Par’oh (Pharaoh) and all his army, and his chariots and his horsemen.

OET-LV EXO 14:4

4 And_I _will _make _strong DOM the _heart _of Parˊoh and_he _will _pursue after_them and_I _will _gain _honour by_Parˊoh and_on/over_all army _of_his and_ Miʦrayim/(Egypt) _they _will _know if/because _that I am_YHWH and_they _made so.

OET-LV EXO 14:17

17 And_I here_I am_about _to _make _strong DOM the _heart _of Miʦrayim and_they _will _go after_them and_I _will _gain _honour by_Parˊoh and_on/over_all army _of_his by_chariot[s]_of_his and_by_horsemen _of_his.

Show passage in OET: EXO 7:13–14

OET-RV EXO 7:13

13 But Par’oh’s mind was made up and he took no notice of them as Yahweh had said earlier.

OET-RV EXO 7:14

14 Then Yahweh told Mosheh (Moses), “Par’oh (Pharaoh) is very stubborn and he’s refused to let the people go.

OET-LV EXO 7:13

13 And_ the _heart _of Parˊoh _it _was _strong and_not he _listened to_them just_as YHWH he _had _said.

OET-LV EXO 7:14

14 And_ YHWH _he/it _said to Mosheh is_heavy the _heart _of Parˊoh he _has _refused to_let _go the_people.

Jump to OET EXO 4:21 section.

Jump to OET EXO 7:3 section.

Jump to OET EXO 14:4 section. · OET EXO 14:17 section.

Jump to OET EXO 7:13–14 section.

No doubt is left in the mind of the reader, either in the exodus account itself or later, that Pharaoh’s obstinacy was an act of divine judgment on God’s part for his own external ends and purposes (Ex 9:16; Jos 11:20; cf. Rom 9:17-18). Nevertheless, it is also stated that Pharaoh hardened his own heart (Ex 8:15, 32 OET EXO 8:15 · OET EXO 8:32; 9:34; 13:15), showing that the hardening process is a deliberate product of personal rebellion against revealed truth. This is a crucial aspect of the scriptural presentation of the matter; judicial hardening of the heart is not only an act of God upon the sinner’s nature but also a willful turning from the truth. The sinner is therefore responsible to God for his hardness of heart.

Show passage in OET: EXO 9:16

OET-RV EXO 9:16

16 However, I’ve kept you for this reason: to show you my power and in order to proclaim my name all over the world.

OET-LV EXO 9:16

16 And_but in_account _of this I_have _caused _you _to _stand in_account _of to_show _you DOM power _of_my and_so _as to _recount name _of_my in_all the_earth/land.

Show passage in OET: JOS 11:20

OET-RV JOS 11:20

20 because it was Yahweh who’d made them stubborn so they’d fight against Yisrael and be completely destroyed without any mercy. Yes, they were annihilated just as Yahweh had instructed Mosheh (Moses).

OET-LV JOS 11:20

20 If/because from_with YHWH it _was to_strengthen DOM heart _of_their to_meet the_battle with Yisrā^ʼēl/(Israel) so _as to_totally _destroy _them to_not to _belong to/for_them favour if/because so _as to_destroy _them just_as YHWH he _had _commanded DOM Mosheh.

Show passage in OET: ROM 9:17–18

OET-RV ROM 9:17

OET-RV ROM 9:18

18 In other words, God will be merciful to whoever he wants to, but he hardens whoever he wants to.

OET-LV ROM 9:17

OET-LV ROM 9:18

18 Therefore consequently to _whom he _is _wanting, he _is _showing _mercy, but whom he _is _wanting, he _is _hardening.

Show passage in OET: EXO 8:15; EXO 8:32

OET-RV EXO 8:15

15 But when Par’oh saw that there was relief from the frogs, he firmed his resolve and didn’t listen to Mosheh and Aharon, just as Yahweh had said previously.

OET-RV EXO 8:32

32 But Par’oh changed his mind and remained stubborn and he wouldn’t let the Israelis leave.

OET-LV EXO 8:11

11  And_ Parˊoh _he/it _saw if/because _that it _had _come the_respite and_he _made _unresponsive DOM his/its_heart and_not he _listened to_them just_as YHWH he _had _said.

OET-LV EXO 8:28

28  And_ Parˊoh _he _made _unresponsive DOM his/its_heart also at_time (the)_this and_not he _let _go DOM the_people.

Show passage in OET: EXO 9:34

OET-RV EXO 9:34

34 But when Par’oh saw that the rain and hail and thunder had stopped, he added to his sins and he firmed his resolve—he and his servants.

OET-LV EXO 9:34

34 And_ Parˊoh _he/it _saw if/because _that the_rain and_the_hail and_the _thunder_claps it _had _ceased and_he _repeated to_sin and_ he and_servants _of_his _he _made _unresponsive his/its_heart.

Show passage in OET: EXO 13:15

OET-RV EXO 13:15

15 And so it was that when Par’oh (Pharaoh) was too stubborn to let us go, then Yahweh struck all of the oldest sons and oldest male animals in Mitsrayim. That’s why we offer all the oldest offspring to Yahweh, and why we need to buy back all our oldest sons.’

OET-LV EXO 13:15

15 And_he/it _was if/because Parˊoh he _made _stubborn to_let_us _go and_ YHWH _he _killed every _of firstborn in_land of _Miʦrayim/(Egypt) from_the_firstborn _of humankind and_unto the_firstborn _of livestock therefore yes/correct/thus/so I am_sacrificing to/for_YHWH every _of firstborn _of a _womb the_males and_all (the)_firstborn _of my _sons _of_my I _redeem.

Jump to OET EXO 9:16 section.

Jump to OET JOS 11:20 section.

Jump to OET ROM 9:17–18 section.

Jump to OET EXO 8:15 section. · OET EXO 8:32 section.

Jump to OET EXO 9:34 section.

Jump to OET EXO 13:15 section.

The process of judicial hardening is described by Paul in Romans 1:18-32. All humans have an innate God-consciousness from which they deliberately turn away. They change the truth into a lie and suppress what truth they have. As a result, hardness of heart takes over. Paul’s expression for this is that “their foolish heart was darkened” because “God gave them up” to the results of their own sin. The results are both intellectual (“God gave them over to a reprobate mind”) and moral, as well as social or cultural. Paul uses the term “hardness of heart” in Romans 2:5 to describe the general result. It is important to note that it is not against God’s wrath or against the results of sin that the wicked are in revolt but against “truth” and against their own conscience (2:14-16).

Show passage in OET: ROM 2:5

OET-RV ROM 2:5

5 But it’s your hardness and failure to turn away from wrongdoing that’s causing severe anger to be stored up for God’s judgement day, when all will be revealed, including his severe anger,

OET-LV ROM 2:5

5 But concerning the hardness of _you and unrepentant heart, you _are _storing _up for _yourself severe _anger in the_day of _severe _anger and revelation the_just _judgement of_ the _god,

Show passage in OET: ROM 2:14–16

OET-RV ROM 2:14

14 Whenever other nations don’t have the Jewish laws, but naturally obey what’s in the laws, they show that even without our laws, they have their own law.

OET-RV ROM 2:15

15 They demonstrate that they effectively have God’s law written in their minds and agreeing with their consciences, and between the two they’ll be either accused or defended

OET-RV ROM 2:16

16 on the day when God, through Messiah Yeshua (Jesus; Grk. Yesus), judges people’s private lives, as I’ve shared as part of the good message.

OET-LV ROM 2:14

14 For/Because whenever the_pagans which not the_law having, by _nature the things of _the law may _be _practicing, these the_law not having, to _themselves are a_law,

OET-LV ROM 2:15

15 who are _displaying the work of _the law, written in the hearts of _them, bearing _witness _with them their conscience, and between one _another, the arguments accusing or also defending them,

OET-LV ROM 2:16

16 on that the_day is _judging the god the secrets of_ the _people, according _to the good _message of _me, by chosen _one /messiah Yaʸsous/(Yəhōshūˊa).

Jump to OET ROM 2:5 section.

Jump to OET ROM 2:14–16 section.

God often warns his people not to harden their hearts, for Scripture associates hardening with unbelief (Dt 15:7; Heb 3:8, 15 OET HEB 3:8 · OET HEB 3:15; 4:7). Jesus was grieved at the callousness of his hearers’ hearts (Mk 3:5; 16:14). He referred to allowances God had made to the Jews concerning divorce because of the hardness of their hearts (Mt 19:8).

Show passage in OET: DEU 15:7

OET-RV DEU 15:7

7 In the towns that your god Yahweh is giving you, if it so happens that any of your fellow Israelis are poor, then don’t just ignore them and refuse to help them,

OET-LV DEU 15:7

7 If/because he _will _be in_you(ms) a _needy_person any_one _of your(pl)_countrymen _of_your in_one _of your(pl)_gates _of_your in_land _of_your which YHWH god _of_your is_about _to _give to/for_you(fs) not you _will _harden DOM heart _of_your and_not you _will _shut DOM hand _of_your from_countryman _of_your (the)_needy.

Show passage in OET: HEB 3:8; HEB 3:15

OET-RV HEB 3:8

8 don’t harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion,
⇔ in the time of testing in the wilderness

OET-RV HEB 3:15

15 As it’s been said:
⇔ ‘Today if you all hear his voice,
⇔ don’t harden your hearts as you did when you rebelled.’

OET-LV HEB 3:8

8 not you _all _may _harden the hearts of _you _all, as in the rebellion, in the day of_ the _trial, in the wilderness,

OET-LV HEB 3:15

15 At the time to _be _being _said:
Today if of _the voice of _him you _all _may _hear, not you _all _may _harden the hearts of _you _all, as in the rebellion.

Show passage in OET: HEB 4:7

OET-RV HEB 4:7

7 God designated a certain day saying:
⇔ ‘Today if you all hear his voice,
⇔ Don’t harden your hearts.’

OET-LV HEB 4:7

7 again a_certain is _designating day:
today, by Dawid/(Dāvid) saying after so _much time, as has _been _previously _said:
Today if of _the voice of _him you _all _may _hear, not you _all _may _harden the hearts of _you _all.

Show passage in OET: MRK 3:5

OET-RV MRK 3:5

5 After angrily looking around at them, grieving at their complete lack of compassion, he told the man, “Open up your hand!” The man stretched out his fingers, and his hand became totally normal.

OET-LV MRK 3:5

5 And having _looked _around them with anger, grieving at the hardening of _the heart of _them, he _is _saying to _the man:
Stretch _out the hand of _you.
And he _stretched _out it, and the hand of _him was _restored.

Show passage in OET: MRK 16:14

OET-RV MRK 16:14

14 Later again when the eleven apprentices were sitting around eating, Yeshua (Jesus; Grk. Yesus) appeared in the room and scolded them for not believing and for being so stubborn when they hadn’t believed others who had told them that he’d come back from the dead.

OET-LV MRK 16:14

Show passage in OET: MAT 19:8

OET-RV MAT 19:8

8 “It was because of your hard hearts that Mosheh allowed you to send away your wife,” Yeshua (Jesus; Grk. Yesus) answered, “but it wasn’t like that at the beginning.

OET-LV MAT 19:8

8 He _is _saying to _them, that For/Because the hard _heart of _you _all, Mōsaʸs permitted to _you _all to _send _away the wives of _you _all, but from the_beginning it _has_ not _become thus.

Jump to OET DEU 15:7 section.

Jump to OET HEB 3:8 section. · OET HEB 3:15 section.

Jump to OET HEB 4:7 section.

Jump to OET MRK 3:5 section.

Jump to OET MRK 16:14 section.

Jump to OET MAT 19:8 section.

On at least two occasions in the Gospels, judicial blindness is ascribed directly to God, and its purpose stated (Mt 13:13-15; Jn 12:39-41). Hardness of heart is therefore an aspect of the development of the fallen character, manifesting the root of rebellion (Ps 95:8; Jn 12:40; Heb 3:8, 15 OET HEB 3:8 · OET HEB 3:15; 4:7). Throughout Scripture, Jewish apostasy is so described (2 Kgs 17:14; Neh 9:16-17; Heb 3:8).

Show passage in OET: MAT 13:13–15

OET-RV MAT 13:13