Why did God harden the heart of the Egyptian Pharaoh so that he would not let his people go?

The Bible does not give a definitive answer as to why God hardened the heart of Pharaoh, but there are several theories that have been proposed.

One theory is that God hardened Pharaoh's heart in order to demonstrate His power and glory. God had already performed several miracles in Egypt, such as the plagues, but Pharaoh still refused to let the Israelites go. By hardening Pharaoh's heart, God was able to demonstrate His power and might to the people of Egypt and the surrounding nations.

Another theory is that God hardened Pharaoh's heart in order to bring about His plan for the Israelites. God had promised Abraham that his descendants would become a great nation, and Pharaoh's refusal to let them go was an obstacle in achieving that goal. By hardening Pharaoh's heart, God was able to remove the obstacle and bring about His plan for the Israelites.

Finally, some believe that God hardened Pharaoh's heart in order to show His mercy. Pharaoh had hardened his own heart by repeatedly refusing to let the Israelites go, and God's hardening of Pharaoh's heart was an act of mercy. By hardening Pharaoh's heart, God was able to bring about the Exodus and allow the Israelites to escape from slavery in Egypt.

Ultimately, it is impossible to know the exact reason why God hardened Pharaoh's heart. However, it is clear that God had a purpose in doing so, and whatever that purpose was, it was intended to bring about His plan for the Israelites.