Pharaoh Remains Unmoved after the Nile Sign

Egypt’s magicians perform a corresponding sign by their secret arts, and Pharaoh’s heart remains hardened. He does not listen to Moses and Aaron, just as the LORD had said. Pharaoh turns and goes into his house without taking the matter to heart.

Because the Nile water cannot be drunk, Egyptians dig around the river for water. Exodus then says that seven days are fulfilled after the LORD strikes the river.

Where this fits in the story: the first plague-sign has demonstrated YHWH’s power over Egypt’s central water source, but Pharaoh remains resistant. The narrative will continue with the plague of frogs.

Evidence boundary: The seven-day notice is explicit. Exodus does not say that the seven days are intended as a hidden creation code, explain the ending of the plague as a special opportunity for repentance, or tell us more about Pharaoh’s inner response than that his heart was hardened and he did not heed the signs.