Exodus 6:1

With a strong hand - חזקה יד yad chazakah , the same verb which we translate to harden; see Clarke on Exodus 4:21 ; (note). The strong hand here means sovereign power, suddenly and forcibly applied. God purposed to manifest his sovereign power in the sight of Pharaoh and the Egyptians; in consequence of which Pharaoh would manifest his power and authority as sovereign of Egypt, in dismissing and thrusting out the people. See Exodus 12:31-33 .