Exodus 1:20

20 Therefore God prospered the midwives, and the people continued to multiply and grow very powerful.

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.

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FOOTNOTES:

F18 Works, vol. 1. p. 700.

Exodus 1:20 In-Context

18 The king of Egypt summoned the midwives and demanded of them, "Why have you done this and let the boys live?"

19 The midwives answered Pharaoh, "It's because the Hebrew women aren't like the Egyptian women -they go into labor and give birth before the midwife arrives."

20 Therefore God prospered the midwives, and the people continued to multiply and grow very powerful.

21 Indeed, because the midwives feared God, he made them founders of families.

22 Then Pharaoh gave this order to all his people: "Every boy that is born, throw in the river; but let all the girls live."