Exodus 1:20

20 bene ergo fecit Deus obsetricibus et crevit populus confortatusque est nimis

Exodus 1:20 Meaning and Commentary

Exodus 1:20

Wherefore God dealt well with the midwives
He approved of their conduct upon the whole, however difficult it may be to clear them from all blame in this matter; though some think that what they said was the truth, though they might not tell all the truth; yea, that they made a glorious confession of their faith in God, and plainly told the king, that it was nothing but the immediate hand of God that the Hebrew women were so lively and strong, and therefore were resolved not to oppose it, let him command what he would; so Dr. Lightfoot F18, who takes the midwives to be Egyptians:

and the people multiplied, and waxed very mighty;
became very numerous, and strong, and robust, being the offspring of such lively women.


FOOTNOTES:

F18 Works, vol. 1. p. 700.

Exodus 1:20 In-Context

18 quibus ad se accersitis rex ait quidnam est hoc quod facere voluistis ut pueros servaretis
19 quae responderunt non sunt hebraeae sicut aegyptiae mulieres ipsae enim obsetricandi habent scientiam et priusquam veniamus ad eas pariunt
20 bene ergo fecit Deus obsetricibus et crevit populus confortatusque est nimis
21 et quia timuerant obsetrices Deum aedificavit illis domos
22 praecepit autem Pharao omni populo suo dicens quicquid masculini sexus natum fuerit in flumen proicite quicquid feminei reservate
The Latin Vulgate is in the public domain.