The Meaning of Exodus 8:15 Explained

Exodus 8:15

KJV: But when Pharaoh saw that there was respite, he hardened his heart, and hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had said.

YLT: And Pharaoh seeth that there hath been a respite, and he hath hardened his heart, and hath not hearkened unto them, as Jehovah hath spoken.

Darby: And Pharaoh saw that there was respite; and he hardened his heart, and hearkened not to them, as Jehovah had said.

ASV: But when Pharaoh saw that there was respite, he hardened his heart, and hearkened not unto them, as Jehovah had spoken.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

But when Pharaoh  saw  that there was respite,  he hardened  his heart,  and hearkened  not unto them; as the LORD  had said. 

What does Exodus 8:15 Mean?

Context Summary

Exodus 8:1-15 - The Plague Of Frogs And Its Removal
Probably the plagues followed in rapid succession, so that the impression of one had not passed away before another succeeded. The whole conflict was probably comprehended in nine or ten months. The frog was a goddess, hence the plague was aggravated, as it was unlawful to destroy one. This stroke elicited the first symptom of surrender. Though the magicians counterfeited the coming of the frogs they failed to remove them, and the king did not hope for such help from them. Pharaoh implored the intercession of the great Hebrew brethren, who, to make the power of God and the efficacy of prayer more manifest, asked the king to fix the time. They who know God and obey Him absolutely can reckon on Him with perfect certainty and confidence. Our God delights in the faith that dares to pledge His willingness and power, and He will not fail the soul that ventures wholly on His all-sufficiency. [source]

Chapter Summary: Exodus 8

1  Frogs are sent
8  Pharaoh complains to Moses, who by prayer removes them
16  The dust is turned into lice, which the magicians could not do
20  The plague of flies
25  Pharaoh inclines to let the people go, but yet is hardened

What do the individual words in Exodus 8:15 mean?

But when saw Pharaoh that there was relief and he hardened - his heart and not did heed them as had said Yahweh -
וַיַּ֣רְא פַּרְעֹ֗ה כִּ֤י הָֽיְתָה֙ הָֽרְוָחָ֔ה וְהַכְבֵּד֙ אֶת־ לִבּ֔וֹ וְלֹ֥א שָׁמַ֖ע אֲלֵהֶ֑ם כַּאֲשֶׁ֖ר דִּבֶּ֥ר יְהוָֽה ס

וַיַּ֣רְא  But  when  saw 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: רָאָה 
Sense: to see, look at, inspect, perceive, consider.
פַּרְעֹ֗ה  Pharaoh 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: פַּרְעֹה  
Sense: the common title of the king of Egypt.
כִּ֤י  that 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: כִּי 
Sense: that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since.
הָֽיְתָה֙  there  was 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, third person feminine singular
Root: אֶהְיֶה 
Sense: to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out.
הָֽרְוָחָ֔ה  relief 
Parse: Article, Noun, feminine singular
Root: רְוָחָה  
Sense: respite, relief.
וְהַכְבֵּד֙  and  he  hardened 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Hifil, Infinitive absolute
Root: כָּבֵד  
Sense: to be heavy, be weighty, be grievous, be hard, be rich, be honourable, be glorious, be burdensome, be honoured.
אֶת־  - 
Parse: Direct object marker
Root: אֹות 
Sense: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative.
לִבּ֔וֹ  his  heart 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct, third person masculine singular
Root: לֵב 
Sense: inner man, mind, will, heart, understanding.
וְלֹ֥א  and  not 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Adverb, Negative particle
Root: הֲלֹא 
Sense: not, no.
שָׁמַ֖ע  did  heed 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, third person masculine singular
Root: שָׁמַע 
Sense: to hear, listen to, obey.
דִּבֶּ֥ר  had  said 
Parse: Verb, Piel, Perfect, third person masculine singular
Root: דָּבַר 
Sense: to speak, declare, converse, command, promise, warn, threaten, sing.
יְהוָֽה  Yahweh 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: יהוה 
Sense: the proper name of the one true God.
ס  - 
Parse: Punctuation