Exodus 14:8

Verse

And the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt so that he pursued the Israelites, who were marching out defiantly.

American Standard Version (1901)

And Jehovah hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he pursued after the children of Israel: for the children of Israel went out with a high hand.

Bible in Basic English

And the Lord made the heart of Pharaoh hard, and he went after the children of Israel: for the children of Israel had gone out without fear.

Douay-Rheims 1899

And the Lord hardened the heart of Pharao king of Egypt, and he pursued the children of Israel: but they were gone forth in a mighty hand.

Free Bible Version

The Lord gave Pharaoh, king of Egypt, a stubborn attitude so he chased after the Israelites, who were leaving with their fists raised in triumph.

Geneva Bible 1599

(For the Lord had hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he followed after the children of Israel: but the children of Israel went out with an hie hand)

King James (Authorized) Version

And the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he pursued after the children of Israel: and the children of Israel went out with an high hand.

One Unity Resource Bible

Adonai hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt [Abode of slavery], and he pursued the children of Israel [God prevails]; for the children of Israel [God prevails] went out with a high hand. (2)

Translation for Translators

Because Yahweh made the king of Egypt so stubborn that he and his army went to pursue the Israelis, who were leaving triumphantly,

Unlocked Literal Bible

Yahweh hardened the heart of Pharaoh, king of Egypt, and the king pursued the Israelites. Now the Israelites had gone away in triumph.

Noah Webster Bible

And the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he pursued the children of Israel: and the children of Israel went out with a high hand.

World English Bible

Yahweh hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he pursued the children of Israel; for the children of Israel went out with a high hand.

Young's Literal Translation

and Jehovah strengtheneth the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he pursueth after the sons of Israel, and the sons of Israel are going out with a high hand,

Context

Pharaoh Pursues the Israelites

⁷He took 600 of the best chariots, and all the other chariots of Egypt, with officers over all of them. ⁸And the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt so that he pursued the Israelites, who were marching out defiantly.⁹The Egyptians—all Pharaoh’s horses and chariots, horsemen and troops—pursued the Israelites and overtook them as they camped by the sea near Pi-hahiroth, opposite Baal-zephon.

Summary

In Exodus 14:8, we see Pharaoh's response to the Israelites leaving Egypt, as he regretted letting them go and pursued them with his army. This verse sets the stage for the dramatic events that follow, showcasing Pharaoh's hardened heart and his determination to bring the Israelites back into slavery. It highlights the power struggle between Pharaoh's pride and God's plan for deliverance, ultimately leading to the miraculous parting of the Red Sea and the salvation of the Israelites.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

And the Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt,.... As he said he would, Exo 14:4, and he pursued after the children of Israel; took their rout in pursuit of them: and the children of Israel went out with an high hand: not once dreaming they should be pursued by Pharaoh as an enemy, when they went out with his full consent, and with such pressing solicitations to be gone, and with so much favour shown them by the Egyptians; wherefore they set out, and went on with great boldness, courage, and intrepidity; "with an uncovered head", as the Targum of Onkelos, without any fear, and with great alacrity and cheerfulness; they carried both their heads and their hands high, were fearless and thoughtless of any danger when this mighty preparation was making against them.