Exodus 1:18

18 The king of Mitzrayim called for the midwives, and said to them, "Why have you done this thing, and have saved the men-children alive?"

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 and he said, "When you perform the duty of a midwife to the Hebrew women, and see them on the birth stool; if it is a son, then you shall kill him; but if it is a daughter, then she shall live."

17 But the midwives feared God, and didn't do what the king of Mitzrayim commanded them, but saved the baby boys alive.

18 The king of Mitzrayim called for the midwives, and said to them, "Why have you done this thing, and have saved the men-children alive?"

19 The midwives said to Par`oh, "Because the Hebrew women aren't like the Mitzrian women; for they are vigorous, and give birth before the midwife comes to them."

20 God dealt well with the midwives, and the people multiplied, and grew very mighty.