36th Annual Student Research Conference
The Question of Pharoah's Hardened Heart: A Literary Analysis of the Ten Plagues Story
Emelia K. Durham
Dr. Jennifer Jesse , Faculty Mentor
The ten plagues and the exodus story is central to Jewish identity. Like other parts of scripture, the story mentions a questionable action of God. In this case, the questionable action is the hardening of Pharaoh’s heart. In some instances, Pharaoh hardens his own heart, while in others, God hardens Pharaoh’s heart. One biblical commentator says this represents Pharaoh’s control over the situation, another says the purpose is to give Pharaoh free will, others say this allowed God to send more plagues to further demonstrate power to both the Israelites and Egyptians. If the story is viewed in its original context, being composed during the Babylonian exile, the message of power still prevails. However, the message of against whom the power is exerted changes. In an inverse way, Pharaoh’s hardened heart represents the Israelite ignorance of God’s calls leading up to the Babylonian Exile.
Keywords: Ten Plagues, Pharaoh's heart, Babylonian exile, identity, punishment
Topic(s):PHRE Senior Seminar
Philosophy & Religion
Presentation Type: Oral Presentation
Session: 105-1
Location: SUB 3201
Time: 8:30