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Andrew Gabriel Roth responds:
Actually in this case it does kind of take away Pharaoh's free will. YHWH did CHAZAK (strengthen, harden, reinforce) Pharaoh's heart. The question is, why?
The answer is that YHWH specifically says He has already set aside Egypt for judgment. He has decided, specifically, He "will bring judgment on the GODS of Egypt." The thing is, Pharaoh was thought to be a god in Egyptian theology, so YHWH is determined to show His glory over pharaoh. If YHWH shows that He has control over pharaoh, the elements - nature, and so on - then each part of Egyptian life that the natives thought their rule controlled is overturned.
But could pharaoh have repented? Did he have a choice? Yes, if he had renounced his crown and the spiritual claims that came with it!
You have to remember, the Egyptians were warned BEFORE Moses not to mess with the Israelites. An earlier pharaoh had taken Abraham's wife Sarah, although Abraham didn't admit openly she was his wife. However, that didn't matter. This pharaoh, when he found out that YHWH was angry, immediately released Sarah with extra gifts for Abraham's incovenience. His question to Abraham is most interesting as it was part apology and part "why the heck didn't you tell me?"
Now when Exodus opens, we are told that as long as Egypt "remembered Joseph" all would be well for them and for Israel. But then "a king arose who did not know Joseph". The Egyptians, in essence, forgot their own history and hence forgot the warning. Then YHWH, who had left them alone, basically lost his patience and said, "Okay, you guys were warned, you didn't listen, now you're gonna get it." So when YHWH's patience runs out, NO, there is no more free will for whom judgment has come. You have your free will only until you become hopeless. Pharaoh and his ancestors had free will until they incurred divine wrath.
The Tanakh is clear: You either learn the lesson or you become one for others.
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