Exodus 1:17

17 But the midwives feared God and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them but gave the men children their lives.

Exodus 1:17 Meaning and Commentary

Exodus 1:17

But the midwives feared God
And therefore durst not take away the life of an human creature, which was contrary to the express law of God, ( Genesis 9:6 ) :

and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them;
knowing it was right to obey God rather than man, though ever so great, or in so exalted a station:

but saved the men children alive;
did not use any violence with them, by stifling them in the birth. The scheme was so barbarous and shocking, especially to the tender sex, to whom it was proposed, and so devoid of humanity, that one would think it should never enter into the heart of man.

Exodus 1:17 In-Context

15 And the king of Egypt spoke to the Hebrew midwives, one of whom was named Shiphrah and another named Puah;

16 and he said, When ye do the office of a midwife to the Hebrew women and see the sex, if it is a son, then ye shall kill him; but if it is a daughter, then she shall live.

17 But the midwives feared God and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them but gave the men children their lives.

18 And the king of Egypt called for the midwives and said unto them, Why have ye done this thing and have given the men children their lives?

19 And the midwives said unto Pharaoh, Because the Hebrew women are not as the Egyptian women, for they are lively and are delivered before the midwives come in unto them.