שמות, פרק ג׳, פסוק י״ט

As Moses prepares for his fateful mission, God readies him for the prolonged struggle ahead against the Egyptian empire. By revealing the future in advance, God ensures that Moses will not fall into despair or be caught off guard when his demands are met with rejection [ביאור יש״ר, חזקוני]. This refusal stems directly from the Egyptian king's evil nature and his deep pride. Unwilling to appear weak or forfeit his honor in the eyes of other rulers, he will absolutely refuse to grant the Israelites their freedom out of any sense of goodwill [מלבי״ם, שפתי כהן, ספורנו, העמק דבר]. He will simply not permit them to leave under any ordinary circumstances [אבן עזרא, רש״י, ביאור יש״ר].

The nature of the immense force required to secure their release is a subject of varied interpretation, depending on whose power is being described. The primary approach among commentators is that this overwhelming power belongs to God. From this perspective, the Egyptian ruler will never agree to liberate the people unless God forces his hand, making the release happen entirely against his will [רמב״ן, רש״י, שד״ל, רלב״ג, שטיינזלץ]. This does not mean he will yield to a single powerful strike. Rather, he will withstand even a partial display of divine might, refusing to surrender until God unleashes the complete series of plagues and wonders [רבנו בחיי, בכור שור, חזקוני, אם למקרא]. Moreover, God will repeatedly lift the plagues and harden the king's heart, ensuring he maintains his stubborn defiance despite the immense suffering [ספורנו].

Alternatively, the immense force might refer to the Egyptian king's own grip. In this light, his refusal is not a result of his actual ability to withstand God, but rather because God intentionally hardens his heart to multiply the miracles and demonstrate His own greatness to the world [רשב״ם, אבן עזרא, רש״י, רבנו בחיי]. A third perspective attributes the display of force to the Israelites or Moses. Even if the people attempt to rise up, gather their strength as warriors, and fight for their freedom, the king will stand firm and block their escape [העמק דבר, הכתב והקבלה, קאסוטו, שפתי כהן]. His stubbornness will be so profound that he will reject even the most resolute demands, completely ignoring political logic and the severe danger threatening his country [רש״ר הירש].