Parashas Vaeira · Side page (no TT primary unit)
וַיֶּֽחֱזַק֙ לֵ֣ב פַּרְעֹ֔ה וְלֹ֥א שָׁמַ֖ע אֲלֵהֶ֑ם כַּאֲשֶׁ֖ר דִּבֶּ֥ר יְהֹוָֽה׃ {ס}
Yet Pharaoh’s heart stiffened and he did not heed them, as GOD had said.
Shemos Rabbah 7:3 — EXTRA.
ויחזק לב פרעה —\ldots מעצמו.
English: “And Pharaoh’s heart was strengthened” — \ldots of his own accord.
Custom
Chazal distinguish early self-hardening from the later divine strengthening.