Definition: And I, behold, I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, and they shall follow them: and I will get me honour upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host, upon his chariots, and upon his horsemen.

Explanation: Okay, let's break down this verse from Exodus 14:17. It’s a really significant passage about God’s plan to help the Israelites escape Egypt. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: God is going to manipulate the situation with the Egyptians so that they want to allow the Israelites to pass through their land. He's essentially saying, “Let the Egyptians be comfortable allowing us to go through them.” Here’s a breakdown of what it says: "I, behold, I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians..." – This is a bit tricky. "Harden the hearts" means to make people less willing to resist or oppose something. God is deliberately trying to influence their feelings and attitudes. "...and they shall follow them:" – This means that the Egyptians will want to allow the Israelites to go through, even if it’s not ideal for them. They'll be open to letting us pass. "And I will get me honour upon Pharaoh..." – This is about God’s power and influence. He’s aiming to gain recognition or praise from Pharaoh (the ruler of Egypt). He wants to show his strength and authority. "...and upon all his host, upon his chariots, and upon his horsemen." – This emphasizes the power of the Egyptian army. God is promising to give them a formidable advantage – they'll have a strong army protecting them. What it’s about: This verse speaks to a strategic maneuver in God’s plan to deliver His people from slavery. It’s a display of God’s power and control, aiming to create an environment where the Egyptians will want to cooperate with the Israelites. In short, it's a deliberate act by God to use the Egyptians as a stepping stone to victory for Israel. --- Do you want me to: Explain any of these points in more detail? Connect this verse to a specific story or event in the Bible?