Exodus 1:18

18 So the king of Egypt called the midwives, and said to them, "Why have you done this, and let the male children live?"

Exodus 1:18 Meaning and Commentary

Exodus 1:18

And the king called for the midwives
Perceiving, by the increase of the Israelites, that they did not obey his commands:

and said unto them, why have ye done this thing, and have saved the
men children alive?
not only did not kill them, but did everything for them that was necessary for their future preservation and health; see ( Ezekiel 16:4 ) .

Exodus 1:18 In-Context

16 "When you serve as midwife to the Hebrew women, and see them upon the birthstool, if it is a son, you shall kill him; but if it is a daughter, she shall live."

17 But the midwives feared God, and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but let the male children live.

18 So the king of Egypt called the midwives, and said to them, "Why have you done this, and let the male children live?"

19 The midwives said to Pharaoh, "Because the Hebrew women are not like the Egyptian women; for they are vigorous and are delivered before the midwife comes to them."

20 So God dealt well with the midwives; and the people multiplied and grew very strong.