Exodus 14:4

4 I will harden Pharaoh's heart so that he will pursue them. Then I will receive glory by means of Pharaoh and all his army, and the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord." So the Israelites did this.

Exodus 14:4 Meaning and Commentary

Exodus 14:4

And I will harden Pharaoh's heart
Once more, as he had often done: that he shall follow after them:
to Pihahiroth, and even into the sea after them: and I will be honoured upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host;
in his wisdom, faithfulness, power, and justice, by the destruction of them: that the Egyptians may know that I am the Lord;
the only Jehovah, the Lord God omnipotent; even those that feel the weight of his hand while troubling their host, and bringing the waters upon them; especially those that shall remain in the land, and will not be involved in the catastrophe: and they did so:
the Israelites turned to the right to Pihahiroth, instead of going by Bishbesh and Tinah (Bubastis and Pelusium), and so along the sea coast towards Gaza and Ascalon, and encamped there between Migdol and the sea over against Baalzephon, as they were ordered and directed.

Exodus 14:4 In-Context

2 "Tell the Israelites to turn back and camp in front of Pi-hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea; you must camp in front of Baal-zephon, facing it by the sea.

3 Pharaoh will say of the Israelites: They are wandering around the land in confusion; the wilderness has boxed them in.

4 I will harden Pharaoh's heart so that he will pursue them. Then I will receive glory by means of Pharaoh and all his army, and the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord." So the Israelites did this.

5 When the king of Egypt was told that the people had fled, Pharaoh and his officials changed their minds about the people and said: "What have we done? We have released Israel from serving us."

6 So he got his chariot ready and took his troops with him;