Exodus 1:20

20 Therefore God did well to the midwives; and the people increased, and was comforted greatly (and were greatly strengthened).

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 To the which (when) called to him, the king said, What is this thing that ye would do, that ye would keep the knave children? (To whom, when called to him, the king said, What is this thing that ye would do, that ye have let the male children live?)

19 The which answered, Hebrew women be not as the women of Egypt, for they have knowing of the craft of midwifing, and childed before that we come to them. (And they answered, Hebrew women be not like the Egyptian women, for they have knowledge of the craft of midwifing, and have given birth before that we come to them.)

20 Therefore God did well to the midwives; and the people increased, and was comforted greatly (and were greatly strengthened).

21 And for the midwives dreaded God, God builded them houses. (And because the midwives feared God, God gave them their own households, or their own families.)

22 Therefore Pharaoh commanded (to) all his people, and said, Whatever thing of male kind is born to (the) Hebrews, cast ye into the flood (cast ye them into the River, that is, into the Nile); (but) whatever thing of women kind (is born), keep ye (them).