the congregation, or I have to do the resolving; but Moses, the preacher, or my friend does some of the strengthening. So Yahweh declares the intention to strengthen or stiffen Pharaoh’s resolve. I imagine Pharaoh hearing this voice saying, “No, don’t be soft; it would be stupid to let them go”; but it is Pharaoh who decides whether to listen to this voice. Thus, when Moses and Aaron perform their signs, Exodus more often speaks of Pharaoh’s resolve being strong or firm and of Pharaoh’s strengthening