Hardened means heavy YHWH chooses to harden hearts, almost always to display his power, before and during destruction of the enemy, in order that his victory is seen by all, even those he conquers. He does this so that the enemy doesn't fear, to meet their end with open eyes as they've refused to see his power any other way. When the wicked become ruthless and fearless, do not fear, as their end is imminent and not the righteous children of YHWH, made righteous by the blood of Yeshua. But Sihon the king of Heshbon would not let us pass by him, for the Lord your God hardened his spirit and made his heart obstinate, that he might give him into your hand, as he is this day. Deuteronomy 2:30 ESV For it was the Lord’s doing to harden their hearts that they should come against Israel in battle, in order that they should be devoted to destruction and should receive no mercy but be destroyed, just as the Lord commanded Moses. Joshua 11:20 ESV And the Lord said to Moses, “When you go back to Egypt, see that you do before Pharaoh all the miracles that I have put in your power. But I will harden his heart, so that he will not let the people go. Exodus 4:21 ESV Still Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he would not listen to them, as the Lord had said. Exodus 7:13 ESV But the magicians of Egypt did the same by their secret arts. So Pharaoh’s heart remained hardened, and he would not listen to them, as the Lord had said. Exodus 7:22 ESV But when Pharaoh saw that there was a respite, he hardened his heart and would not listen to them, as the Lord had said. Exodus 8:15 ESV But Pharaoh hardened his heart this time also, and did not let the people go. Exodus 8:32 ESV But the Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh, and he did not listen to them, as the Lord had spoken to Moses. Exodus 9:12 ESV So the heart of Pharaoh was hardened, and he did not let the people of Israel go, just as the Lord had spoken through Moses. Exodus 9:35 ESV Then the Lord said to Moses, “Go in to Pharaoh, for I have hardened his heart and the heart of his servants, that I may show these signs of mine among them, Exodus 10:1 ESV And the Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he pursued the people of Israel while the people of Israel were going out defiantly. Exodus 14:8 ESV For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” So then he has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills. Romans 9:17‭-‬18 ESV