A frequent misinterpretation portrays God as arbitrarily causing Pharaoh's stubbornness and sin without prior agency, implying divine injustice or violation of free will; in reality, Pharaoh first hardens his own heart through defiance after initial signs, and God's hardening acts as confirmatory judgment on persistent rebellion, consistent with scriptural patterns of judicial hardening after willful rejection.
Exodus 4:21
King James Version (1769)
21 And the Lord said unto Moses, When thou goest to return into Egypt, see that thou do all those wonders before Pharaoh, which I have put in thine hand: but I will harden his heart, that he shall not let the people go.
God instructs Moses to perform miracles before Pharaoh upon returning to Egypt, but sovereignly declares He will harden Pharaoh's heart so he refuses to release the Israelites, emphasizing divine control over human rulers and events to accomplish redemption, demonstrate supreme power through escalating judgments, and fulfill promises to Abraham's descendants despite opposition.