Pharaoh sent representatives to investigate, and indeed, not even one of the livestock of Israel had died. But Pharaoh’s heart remained hard, and he did not release the people.
He is wise in heart and mighty in strength – who has resisted him and remained safe?
But I know that the king of Egypt will not let you go, not even under force.
Yet Pharaoh’s heart became hard, and he did not listen to them, just as the Lord had predicted.
The Lord said to Moses, “Pharaoh’s heart is hard; he refuses to release the people.
But Pharaoh hardened his heart this time also and did not release the people.
But the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he did not listen to them, just as the Lord had predicted to Moses.
Then the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “Take handfuls of soot from a furnace, and have Moses throw it into the air while Pharaoh is watching.
The one who stiffens his neck after numerous rebukes will suddenly be destroyed without remedy.
I did this because I know how stubborn you are. Your neck muscles are like iron and your forehead like bronze.
And when his mind became arrogant and his spirit filled with pride, he was deposed from his royal throne and his honor was removed from him.
So then, God has mercy on whom he chooses to have mercy, and he hardens whom he chooses to harden.