Exodus 9:16

And in very deed for this cause have I raised thee up, for to shew in thee my power; and that my name may be declared throughout all the earth.

Exodus 9:16 (KJV)

Context

Exodus tells how God delivered Israel from slavery in Egypt through Moses. Here God speaks to Pharaoh before the plague of hail, explaining why Pharaoh still stands opposed to Israel. The plagues were not random disasters; each one showed God’s power over Egypt and its gods.

Meaning

The opening phrase, “And in very deed for this cause,” stresses that Pharaoh’s position was not accidental. God raised him up for a purpose: to show divine power in him and to make God’s name known throughout the earth. The word “raised” means God placed Pharaoh on the throne and kept him there, even as Pharaoh resisted. This was not a small matter; it was the very reason for Pharaoh’s existence at that time.

Biblical connections

Romans 9:17 quotes this verse to show God’s sovereign choice in raising up Pharaoh. That connection confirms that God rules over rulers and nations, and even opposition serves His plan. The New Testament uses this example to teach that God’s purposes are never defeated by human pride.

Application

God’s power is seen in the plagues, especially the hail, proving His authority over Egypt’s gods and over nature. His goal was not only to free Israel but to declare His name to all nations. The same purpose continues today: God works through circumstances, even difficult ones, to reveal His power and glory. Believers can trust that God is in control and that He has a plan to make His name known in their lives and in the world. When we face trials, we can ask how God might be showing His power through us.

Reflection

Pharaoh’s resistance warns against hardening the heart against God. Humility and submission to His will lead to blessing, while self-exaltation leads to judgment. For believers, this verse calls for trust in God’s sovereign plan and a commitment to align with His purposes, so that God’s name may be declared through their lives. We are not to exalt ourselves, but to let God be seen in us.