Keraia
Exodus 1

Exodus 1:19

Oppression by a New King · Exodus 1:8–22
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Translations

Modern
The midwives answered Pharaoh, “The Hebrew women are not like the Egyptian women, for they are vigorous and give birth before a midwife arrives.”
Traditional
And the midwives said unto Pharaoh, Because the Hebrew women are not as the Egyptian women; for they are lively, and are delivered ere the midwives come in unto them.
Literal
And the midwives said to Pharaoh, “Because the Hebrewesses are not like the Egyptian women, for they are lively; and before the midwife comes to them, they have given birth.”
Latin
Quæ responderunt: Non sunt Hebreæ sicut ægyptiæ mulieres: ipsæ enim obstetricandi habent scientiam, et priusquam veniamus ad eas, pariunt.

Original

Hebrew
English
The midwives answered Pharaoh, “The Hebrew women are not like the Egyptian women, for they are vigorous and give birth before a midwife arrives.”

Notes

Exodus 1:19

Some people may feel concerned that the midwives did not speak openly about their main reason for keeping the baby boys alive.

However, this passage shows an important principle. Complete openness in every situation is not presented as more important than faithful loyalty to God and to his people. The midwives chose to protect life and to remain loyal to the Lord.

Exodus 1:1–22

The need for rescue was clearly related to the Israelites' condition. The Egyptians forced the people of Israel to work without mercy (1:13). It was also related to promises God had made to the patriarchs years earlier.

The Lord had promised Abraham that his descendants would become a great nation, living freely in the land of Canaan. At this time, Abraham's descendants were slaves in Egypt under a pharaoh who wanted to destroy them as a people. God would have to rescue them to fulfill his promises.

Parallels

Acts 7:15–19

People

Hebrews: An ethnic group descended from Abraham Pharaoh: Egyptian Pharaoh during Moses' birth and early life

Glossary

Aaron Book of Exodus Deuteronomy, Book of Medicine and Medical Practice

Topics

Egypt: Israel in Male Children Destroyed Integrity: The Egyptian Midwives when Commanded to Destroy the Newborn Babies of the Israelites Israel: Number of, at the Time of the Exodus Midwifery: General Scriptures Concerning Oppression of Israelites, by Egyptians Servant: Bond: The Israelites Servant: Israelites Usurpation of Executive Power of Pharaoh, Making Bondservants of the Israelites