John Calvin Commentary Exodus 3:19

"And I know that the king of Egypt will not give you leave to go, no, not by a mighty hand." — Exodus 3:19 (ASV)

And I am sure that the king of Egypt. God forewarns his people, so that, suffering a rejection at their first attempt, they would not retreat and abandon in despair the work he assigned to them. It was indeed a hard thing to hear that their mission would be futile and that they might as well speak to a tree trunk, since there was no hope of reaching Pharaoh's stubborn heart. However, they would have been much more discouraged by this trial if his stubbornness had been revealed unexpectedly.

Therefore, God foretells that their words would be of no use; but at the same time, he announces that he would succeed by his own marvelous power. If anyone thinks it absurd for these unfortunate men to be wearied by their futile labor and to be rejected with ridicule and insult, I answer that this was for the sake of example. It was also advantageous for displaying God’s glory that the king, having been politely approached, should reveal his godless obstinacy, since nothing could be more just than that what he had unjustly refused should be extracted from him against his will.

However, interpreters differ as to the meaning of the words. Some translate it literally from the Hebrew, no, not by a mighty hand; as though God said that the king’s pride would be unconquerable and not to be subdued by any power or force. But the context requires a different sense, because the remedy is afterwards contrasted with it, and I will stretch out my hand; and the result is added, that Pharaoh, eventually overcome by the plagues, would let the people go.

This latter view is grammatically correct, for the Hebrews use the word ולא,⁴⁵ velo, for “except.” Therefore, God commands his people to be firm and confident, even though Pharaoh might not obey immediately, because he would demonstrate his power⁴⁶ in a remarkable way for their deliverance. In the meantime, he stirs them to hope with the promise of a successful outcome, since he will forcefully compel Pharaoh to yield.

⁴⁵ ולא is here rendered unless by the LXX., Vulgate, Pagninus, Luther, Vatablus, and Diodati; and by the equivalent, but in the margin of A V S.M. has neque; but adds, “alii exponunt ולא pro nisi.” — W

⁴⁶ Il a delibere de faire un chef-d’oeuvre. — Fr..