EXOD130 [Continued from [[EXOD114]] Exodus 7:3 hardened SACKS 85] A second approach, in precisely the opposite direction, is that during the last five plagues God intervened not to harden but to strengthen Pharaoh's heart. He acted to ensure that Pharaoh kept his freedom and did not lose it. Such was the impact of the plagues that in the normal course of events a national leader would have no choice but to give into a superior force. As Pharaoh's own advisers said before the eighth plague, "Do you not yet realize that Egypt is destroyed?" [this verse]. To give in at that point would have been action under duress, not a genuine change of heart. Such is the approach of Joseph Albo [Albo, Sefer HaIkkarim, IV, 25] and Ovadiah Sforno (on Exodus 7:3). [Continued at [[EXOD115]] Exodus 7:5 SACKS 86 destroyed.]