Exodus 9:16
And in very deed for this cause have I raised thee up, for to shew in thee my power; and that my name may be declared throughout all the earth.
Study Note
Study Note
God's declaration that Pharaoh has been 'raised up' for the purpose of displaying divine power and extending God's name throughout the earth is one of the most theologically provocative statements in the Hebrew Bible regarding divine sovereignty over hostile rulers. The verb 'raised up' (he'amadtika) means 'caused to stand' or 'kept you alive through the plagues,' indicating not that Pharaoh was created for destruction but that his continued existence serves a revelatory purpose. Paul quotes this verse in Romans 9:17 as a foundational text for his discussion of divine election and hardening, deploying it to address the question of whether God's word has failed regarding Israel. The verse has generated extensive theological debate on predestination, divine determinism, and the relationship between human agency and providential ordering.
Other Translations
but in very deed for this cause have I made thee to stand, to show thee my power, and that my name may be declared throughout all the earth.
`And yet for this I have caused thee to stand, so as to show thee My power, and for the sake of declaring My Name in all the earth;
But, for this very reason, I have kept you from destruction, to make clear to you my power, and so that my name may be honoured through all the earth.
Cross References
And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, that he shall follow after them; and I will be honoured upon Pharaoh, and …
And I, behold, I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, and they shall follow them: and I will get …
Who is like unto thee, O Lord, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, …
Fear and dread shall fall upon them; by the greatness of thine arm they shall be as still as a …
Now I know that the Lord is greater than all gods: for in the thing wherein they dealt proudly he …
For we have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red sea for you, when ye came …
And as soon as we had heard these things, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage …
Woe unto us! who shall deliver us out of the hand of these mighty Gods? these are the Gods that …
Declare his glory among the heathen; his marvellous works among all nations.
And all men shall fear, and shall declare the work of God; for they shall wisely consider of his doing.