God hardened Pharaoh's heart? Understanding the meaning of a Hebrew text and translator word choice. The Old Testament passage in question: Exodus 9:12 But the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh, and he did not listen to them, as the LORD had spoken to Moses. (ESV) Claim: English language translations wrongly translate Exodus 9:12, including the 1599 Geneva, KJV, ESV, NIV, NET, CSB, HCSB, NASB, and far more: "However, rather than "harden," hazaq literally means to "strengthen," and along with "heart," lev can also mean "desire" or "will." Thus, an equally valid translation is that "the Lord strengthened Pharaoh's will." Do you see the difference here? For God to strengthen Pharaoh's will does not mean that God forced him to do something against his will, but just the opposite: it was already Pharaoh's will to keep the Israelites enslaved, so God strengthened the pharaonic will that was already there.  (Did God Harden Pharaoh's Heart?  By Dr. Nicholas J. Schaser, https://israelbiblecenter.com/did-god-harden-pharaohs-heart/) The meaning of the Hebrew word "lev or leb (heart)" isn't in question.  This word isn't speaking of the internal blood pumping organ.  It refers to a person's desire, will, mind, or inner self.  Our focus is on this claimant's understanding of the Hebrew word "hazaq or chazaq (hardened)." A claimant making a radical claim for a different word understanding must provide enough reason for their alternate word choice.  Mere possibility a word could mean something else is inadequate.  They must explain why, perhaps without exception, all other translators choose a different understanding that their offered interpretation. This brief article reveals why I support the English translation "hardened" as normally used in English since, at least, the 16th century.  This use includes a broad range of modern translations, regardless of the translator's personal bias about the extent of God's sovereignty (the specific reason this opposing author has speculated an alternative meaning). The following seven points show why I support the standard and normally employed understanding of the word translated "hardened."  While some points (such as the first two) seem ambiguous, taken together the evidence is overwhelmingly in support of keeping the word "harden." #1. "Hardened" is a valid use of the underlying Hebrew word.  The Hebrew word "chazaq [hardened]", in Exodus 9:12, comes from a primary root meaning "to be firm" or "grow firm."  This word variably recognizes what is, or references something actively acted on.  It might mean strengthened or strengthening.  It equally might mean become powerful or firm, or harden, or hardened.  Further it can mean strong, or make stronger.  The Old Testament uses all of these word-senses or meanings.  Context becomes the primary influence in selecting a particular English meaning.  All remaining points help define this word's specific meaning as used in this verse. #2. Exodus 8:19 uses similar wording that doesn't work well if the word meant "strengthened."  Changed word meaning mid-passage is unlikely unless the text specifically shows this in another manner: Exodus 8:19 Then the magicians said to Pharaoh, "This is the finger of God." But Pharaoh's heart was ["strengthened" or "hardened"], and he did not listen to them, as the LORD had said. [Try the same also in Exodus 7:13]. #3. Consider Exodus 7:3, part of the passage that introduces the immediate context of Exodus 9:12... Exodus 7:3 "But I will harden [qashah] Pharaoh's heart that I may multiply My signs and My wonders in the land of Egypt. Moses uses a different word that unquestionably means "harden," as part of something God was actively going to do.  This word choice provides primary context for the following text and later word choices. #4. The Septuagint (LXX) translators, hundreds of years before Jesus, understood the word meaning in Exodus 7:3, our introductory text and context: Exodus 7:3 But I will harden Pharao's heart, and I will multiply my signs and wonders in the land, Egypt. (Septuagint in English) They are using "skleruno" for the Hebrew word "qashah," this Greek word narrowly meaning "to harden." #5. Yes, Exodus 9:12 uses a different Hebrew word, one that could mean different. Yet context constrains this word to have similar meaning as Exodus 7:3.  The LXX translators clearly recognized this continued meaning in inter-testament times.    Exodus 9:12 But the Lord hardened Pharao's heart, and he did not listen to them, according as the Lord instructed Moyses.  (Translation of Septuagint into English) The LXX translators were Hebrew and Greek scholars of their day.  They recognized "chazaq's" meaning here as identical (a synonym) of the earlier "qashah."  Both unquestionably meant "skleruno - hardened."  For that reason they used the same Greek word for hardened in both Exodus 7:3 and Exodus 9:12. #6.  Translators and scholars of no particular faith, Jewish faith, and a diverse range of Christian denominations, have consistently recognized this word as hardened - almost without exception.  For example: The linguistic scholars working on the Dead Sea Scrolls: Exodus 9:12 And the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh, and he did not listen to them, as] the LORD [had spok]en [to Moses.]  Translation of Dead Sea Scrolls into English Messianic Jews: Exodus 9:12 But ADONAI made Pharaoh hardhearted, so that he didn't listen to them - just as ADONAI had said to Moshe.  (Complete Jewish Bible) Orthodox Jews: Exodus 9:12 But the LORD stiffened the heart of Pharaoh, and he would not heed them, just as the LORD had told Moses. (JPS - Jewish Press) Roman Catholics: Exodus 9:12 And the Lord hardened Pharao's heart, and he hearkened not unto them, as the Lord had spoken to Moses. (Douay-Rheims) A broad assortment of Bible scholars spanning a multitude of mostly Protestant denominations (selecting a few with large translation committees): Exodus 9:12 But the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart and he would not listen to Moses and Aaron, just as the LORD had said to Moses. (NIV 2011) Exodus 9:12 And the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart, and he did not listen to them, just as the LORD had spoken to Moses. (NASU or NASB 1995) Exodus 9:12 But the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh, and he would not listen to them, just as the LORD had spoken to Moses. (NRSV) And even a scholarly translation that allowed for open public criticism: Exodus 9:12 But the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart, and he did not listen to them, just as the LORD had predicted to Moses. (NET) #7. Finally, in God's progressive revelation of Scriptures, the New Testament always clarifies the Old Testament.  When the Apostle Paul quotes this Old Testament passage in Romans, this apostle who knew both Hebrew and Greek intentionally uses the same Greek word the Septuagint translators chose: "skleruno (hardened)."  Again, his Greek word choice unambiguously means "to harden" or "to make stubborn."  The New Testament confirms our standard reading of this Old Testament passage:    Romans 9:17 For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, "For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth." 18 So then he has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens ["skleruno"] whomever he wills. A translator might personally dislike what this passage infers about God's sovereignty over mankind's will but this is the text's clear meaning, Old Testament and New.  An honest translator or interpreter must keep the English word "hardened," or its equivalent, to do justice to the God-given meaning and intent of the passage.  Yes, God hardened Pharaoh's heart! Article by Brent MacDonald, (c) 2018 Lion Tracks Ministries (a division of Cottage Cove's Discipleship Training Institute)