You refers only to the Pharaoh. Still carries the idea of “always,” or “continually.” Exalting yourself translates a verb that sometimes means “to lift up,” but its exact meaning here is not clear. It is followed by the prepositional phrase against my people, or “with my people” (Jerusalem Bible, New Jerusalem Bible), so it may be understood to mean “obstruct my people” (New English Bible), “thwart my people” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh), or even “tyrannizing my people” (Durham). My people, of course, refers to Yahweh’s people, the Israelites. Since the form of the verb is reflexive, suggesting lifting oneself up, it probably means “being arrogant,” “behaving haughtily,” or “acting in a proud [or, insolent] manner.”

And will not let them go translates just two words in the Hebrew that literally mean “to not send them out.” This may be understood as “in order not to send them out,” explaining the purpose of the king’s arrogance. But it is better understood as “by not sending them out,” explaining the reason for, or the evidence of, the king’s continued arrogance. Contemporary English Version combines the two clauses: “You are still determined not to let the LORD’s people go.” But this loses some of the focus on the king’s arrogant attitude. It is possible to say “You are acting arrogantly toward my people in that you still refuse to let them go.” and even this is possible: “You still refuse to let my people go? Such arrogance!” Since the exact relation between the two clauses is not clear, both Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation simply use the connective and (so also New International Version, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh, and others).

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 .