And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart uses the word meaning to make hard. (See the discussion at 4.21.) This starts a chain reaction that reveals Yahweh’s plan and why he will make the king “stubborn” (Good News Translation). And he will pursue them is the first result, so New American Bible has “Thus will I make Pharaoh so obstinate that he will pursue them.” Good News Translation changes the them to “you” in order to include Moses with the people. Contemporary English Version has “and he will try to catch you.” One may also express this as “he will chase after you [plural] and try to catch you.”

And I will get glory over Pharaoh is the second result. Glory is the word meaning to be heavy, the same word used in reference to the king’s hard heart (see 7.14). Here, however, it means “I will be recognized as having honor by means of the Pharaoh,” or “my victory over the king … will bring me honor” (Good News Translation). Revised English Bible has “so that I may win glory for myself at the expense of Pharaoh.” In many languages this will be expressed as “People will praise [or, honor] me because I was victorious over the king.” And all his host refers to “all his army.” The basic meaning of the word is power or property, so Durham has “all his force.” (A different word is used in 12.17 and 41.) All his host may also be expressed as “all his soldiers” or “all his fighting men.”

And the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD is identical with 7.5. (See the discussion there.) I am the LORD is literally “I Yahweh.” This is the self-introductory formula discussed at 6.2.

And they did so is no longer part of Yahweh’s words to Moses. It simply indicates that “the Israelites did as they were told” (Good News Translation), that is, they changed their direction and moved north to the place mentioned in verse 2. Contemporary English Version has “The Israelites obeyed the LORD and camped where he told them.”

An alternative translation model for this verse is:

• I will make the king stubborn again, and he will chase after you [plural] and try to catch you. But because of what I will do to him and his soldiers, people will honor me. Then the Egyptians will know that I am Yahweh.” The Israelites obeyed the LORD and set up their tents where he told them.

Quoted with permission from Osborn, Noel D. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Exodus. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1999. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .