And the Magicians of Egypt did so, with their enchantments: and Pharaohs heart was hardened, neither did he hearken vnto them, as the Lord had said. Exodus 7:22 (KJV)
Context: Exodus 7:22 is part of the narrative of the ten plagues that God brought upon Egypt to secure the release of the Israelites from their bondage. In this verse we see Moses and Aaron, as representatives of God, perform a miraculous sign before Pharaoh, turning water into blood. The magicians of Egypt were also able to replicate this feat through their enchantments, though their ability to mimic the miracles was limited.
The Hardening of Pharaoh’s Heart:
Throughout the Exodus account the phrase “Pharaoh’s heart was hardened” recurs. This hardening denotes Pharaoh’s stubbornness and refusal to let the Israelites go despite witnessing God’s mighty works. It was a result of his own choices; initially Pharaoh hardened his heart against the Lord, and God subsequently hardened his heart further (Exodus 7:13). This served to demonstrate God’s power and to fulfill His divine plan.
The Role of the Magicians:
The Egyptian magicians were skilled in magic, enchantments, and sorcery. It is unclear whether their replication of the sign was through illusion or demonic power, but they could only reproduce the first plague—turning water into blood. Subsequent plagues proved beyond their capacity to imitate (Exodus 8:18‑19).
Pharaoh’s Response:
Even after witnessing God’s power and the magicians’ limited replication, Pharaoh’s heart remained hardened. His refusal to hearken to Moses and Aaron displayed arrogance and defiance toward God’s authority. This pattern continued through the later plagues until Pharaoh finally relented after the tenth plague, the death of the firstborn (Exodus 12:29‑30).
Lessons and Applications:
The hardening of Pharaoh’s heart reminds believers of the consequences of stubbornness and rebellion against God. It underscores the importance of maintaining a humble and obedient heart before Him. God’s power far surpasses any human or demonic ability; the magicians’ limited replication should not be confused with divine authority. Pharaoh’s response warns of the dangers of pride and the destructive nature of a hardened heart. Believers are called to keep their hearts open to God’s guidance and willing to yield to His will.
In summary, Exodus 7:22 highlights the hardening of Pharaoh’s heart despite the display of God’s power and the magicians’ attempt to imitate it. The passage serves as a reminder of the consequences of pride, the supremacy of God’s power, and the need for humility and obedience before Him.
