שמות, פרק ט׳, פסוק י״ז

Despite enduring a series of devastating plagues, the Egyptian ruler stubbornly refuses to release the Israelites. A divine warning directed at him exposes the deep psychological and political motives behind this refusal, delivering a sharp message about the limits of human power.

The primary approach among commentators is to view this stubbornness as an expression of extreme arrogance and boasting [אבן עזרא, חזקוני, שד״ל, ביאור יש״ר]. Pharaoh possesses a bold heart, taking pride in his perceived ability to detain the Israelites and boasting that God cannot defeat him [אבן עזרא, חזקוני]. Because he views himself as elevated and towering above the people, his impending punishment of hail will serve as a fitting, measure-for-measure response, with a divine blow striking him from high above down to the earth [רש ר הירש, קאסוטו].

Alternatively, his actions can be understood as treating the Israelites like a paved road, ruthlessly trampling and crushing them underfoot [רש״י, רשב״ם, רלב״ג, שד״ל]. Taking this concept in a different direction, others suggest that the Egyptian leader is constantly paving new ways to avoid letting the people go. Having realized the power of God, he may have eased the physical burden of slavery, yet he continues to hold onto the Israelites simply to maintain his political prestige and project an image of control [העמק דבר]. He torments the nation with empty declarations of his willingness to release them, only to delay their departure with endless technical and bureaucratic excuses [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Furthermore, his behavior reflects a deliberate effort to brace and strengthen himself in his ongoing refusal [אבן עזרא, הטור הארוך].

This continuous defiance raises a profound question: even now, after absorbing so many devastating blows, how can he still hold his ground? [שד״ל, קאסוטו]. This challenge carries deep theological weight regarding free will. God makes it clear to Pharaoh that even if his heart was hardened by heaven during the earlier plagues, he now bears full responsibility. He is acting out of his own pride, hardening his heart by his own choice and personal initiative as he faces the next plague [שפתי כהן].