Exo 14:17-18 | NETfull | STEP | And as for me, I am going to harden the hearts of the Egyptians so that they will come after them, that I may be honored because of Pharaoh and his army and his chariots and his horsemen.

Exodus 14:17-18

17 And as for me, I am going to harden ^{▼▼ הִנְנִי (hinni) before the participle gives it the force of a futur instans participle, meaning “I am about to harden” or “I am going to harden” their heart.} the hearts of the Egyptians so that ^{▼▼ The form again is the imperfect tense with vav (ו) to express the purpose or the result of the hardening. The repetition of the verb translated “come” is interesting: Moses is to divide the sea in order that the people may cross, but God will harden the Egyptians’ hearts in order that they may follow.} they will come after them, that I may be honored ^{▼▼ For the comments on this verb see the discussion in v. 4. God would get glory by defeating Egypt.} because ^{▼▼ Or “I will get glory over.”} of Pharaoh and his army and his chariots and his horsemen. 18 And the Egyptians will know ^{▼▼ The construction is unusual in that it says, “And Egypt will know.” The verb is plural, and so “Egypt” must mean “the Egyptians.” The verb is the perfect tense with the vav consecutive, showing that this recognition or acknowledgment by Egypt will be the result or purpose of the defeat of them by God.} that I am the Lord when I have gained my honor ^{▼▼ The form is בְּהִכָּבְדִי (b^ehikkav^edi), the Niphal infinitive construct with a preposition and a suffix. For the suffix on a Niphal, see GKC 162-63 #61.c. The word forms a temporal clause in the line.} because of Pharaoh, his chariots, and his horsemen.”