metis
aged ecumenical anthropologist
There are more variant Jewish commentaries on this than any other single verse in Torah because, on the surface, it flies in the face of basic decency that God would supposedly do such a thing. Thus, what is wrong with it is highly conjectural and not agreed upon by scholars.The account appears to indicate Pharaoh’s heart was already hard and cruel. God simply expedited Pharaoh’s character and heart condition.
Maybe these linked articles will give you some food for thought on this topic, if you’re interested...
“According to Adam Clarke's commentary, the Hebrew word translated harden "literally signifies to strengthen, confirm, make bold or courageous." An illustration commonly heard is that of a sponge squeezed (made hard) in the hand. Anything that comes forth from the squeezed sponge was already there. When God "hardened" Pharaoh's heart, He simply forced out what was already there, strengthening Pharaoh's own convictions.”
Question: Did God take away Pharaoh's free will when He "hardened Pharaoh's heart" (Exodus 10:1-2)? What verses point to free will in the Bible?
In Defense of the Faith
Since I never have believed in scriptural inerrancy, it really doesn't surprise nor particularly bother me as it simply doesn't make one iota of sense. But to the literalist, they have a problem because it simply doesn't stand up to even the most basic standard of human compassion that Jesus and God taught elsewhere in scripture.