A common misinterpretation is that God arbitrarily forces Pharaoh into sin and rebellion against his will, portraying God as the author of evil or overriding free will capriciously; in reality, Pharaoh had already repeatedly hardened his own heart through defiance, and God's hardening acts judicially to confirm and strengthen that existing rebellion for His greater purposes.
Exodus 10:20
King James Version (1769)
20 But the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart, so that he would not let the children of Israel go.
This verse reveals God's sovereign control over human hearts and events to fulfill His redemptive purposes, as He hardens Pharaoh's heart after repeated demonstrations of mercy and power through the plagues, ensuring the full display of His glory and authority over Egypt, ultimately leading to Israel's deliverance and the humbling of Pharaoh's pride.