Exodus 1:17 kjv

But the midwives feared God, and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the men children alive.

Exodus 1:17 nkjv

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

Exodus 1:17 niv

The midwives, however, feared God and did not do what the king of Egypt had told them to do; they let the boys live.

Exodus 1:17 esv

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

Exodus 1:17 nlt

But because the midwives feared God, they refused to obey the king's orders. They allowed the boys to live, too.

Exodus 1 verses

Exodus 1 17 Meaning

Exodus 1:17 states that the Hebrew midwives, Shiphrah and Puah, out of a profound reverence for God, chose to disobey the Egyptian king’s command to murder male Israelite infants. Instead, they preserved the lives of the boys. Their action highlights a powerful conflict between the fear of man and the fear of God, demonstrating a courageous act of faith and civil disobedience rooted in a higher moral law.

Exodus 1 17 Context

Exodus chapter 1 sets the stage for the narrative of Israel’s deliverance from Egypt. After Joseph and his generation passed, a new Pharaoh, who "did not know Joseph," came to power. This Pharaoh became increasingly alarmed by the rapid population growth of the Israelites in Egypt, seeing it as a potential threat to his kingdom’s security. To suppress them, he first subjected them to harsh labor and then escalated his oppression by issuing a genocidal command: instructing the Hebrew midwives to kill all newborn Israelite boys. Verse 17 represents the turning point where this command is challenged, introducing the central theme of God's intervention to protect His covenant people against human tyranny, paving the way for the ultimate deliverance through Moses. The historical context for the original audience emphasizes God's faithfulness despite dire circumstances, reminding them of His sovereign control over seemingly absolute earthly powers like the Pharaoh.

Exodus 1 17 Word analysis

• But: This conjunctive particle, often waw (וְ) in Hebrew, here indicates a stark contrast or opposition to the preceding statement (Pharaoh's command). It signals a crucial turn of events and highlights the agency of the midwives against a supreme earthly power.
• the midwives: Hebrew: הַמְיַלְּדֹת (ha-meyalledot). This refers to Shiphrah and Puah, mentioned by name in verse 15. The plural may suggest they were representatives or leaders of a larger group of midwives, or simply the only ones explicitly addressed by Pharaoh. They held a crucial role at the threshold of life, putting them in a powerful yet vulnerable position.
• feared God: Hebrew: יָרְאוּ אֶת־הָאֱלֹהִים (yare'u et-ha-Elohim). This is the pivotal phrase. "Feared" (yare'u) denotes not terror, but profound reverence, awe, respect, and submission to God’s authority and moral law. "God" (Elohim) here refers to the one true Creator God, demonstrating that the midwives possessed a deep spiritual conviction that transcended their Egyptian environment. This "fear" implies obedience to God’s righteous standards over human commands, forming the foundation of true wisdom (Prov 9:10).
• and did not do: This indicates a conscious, active, and principled refusal to comply with an unjust order. It’s an act of moral conviction and courageous non-compliance.
• as the king of Egypt commanded them: This directly states the command they defied, emphasizing the immense personal risk involved. Pharaoh was seen as a god or divine representative, and his command would have carried ultimate authority and consequence in Egypt. The midwives' defiance highlights God's authority as supreme over all human power.
• but let the male children live: This phrase is the antithesis of Pharaoh's command and the direct result of their fear of God. Hebrew va-tekhayyû (וַתְּחַיֶּ֖יןָ), "and they kept alive/let live." This action preserved the very lineage God had promised to multiply (Gen 12:2, 15:5), showing how God worked through seemingly ordinary women to uphold His covenant and purpose. This specific focus on "male children" was Pharaoh's strategic attempt to prevent the future rise of a deliverer.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "But the midwives feared God": This phrase introduces the central ethical and theological conflict of the verse. It establishes the source of their courage and disobedience to Pharaoh—their higher allegiance to God. This fear of God (reverential awe and obedience) is the defining characteristic that drives their actions, prioritizing divine will over human decrees.
• "and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them": This explicitly states their act of civil disobedience. It highlights the direct confrontation of divine command (understood through the midwives' reverence for life) with oppressive human authority. Their inaction concerning Pharaoh's wicked order became an act of active righteousness in God's eyes.
• "but let the male children live": This confirms the outcome of their God-fearing choice. It emphasizes their life-affirming action directly contradicting Pharaoh’s death decree. This preservation of male children was crucial for the continuation of Israel as a people, and ultimately for the future lineage of the Messiah, showing God's providence even through seemingly small acts of faithfulness.

Exodus 1 17 Bonus section

• The fact that the Bible names the midwives (Shiphrah and Puah in Ex 1:15) while Pharaoh remains unnamed in this context subtly elevates the importance and honor of these humble, God-fearing women over the anonymous, wicked king.
• Their actions preserved the lineage through which Moses, and ultimately Jesus, would come, showcasing God's meticulous providence and intervention in history through seemingly insignificant individuals.
• The narrative serves as an early biblical instance of "moral imagination"—the ability to envision and act according to God's standard even when a prevailing power dictates otherwise.
• Some rabbinic traditions identify these midwives as key figures in Israelite history, emphasizing their unique bravery. Their commitment set a foundational example of obedience to God over corrupt authority that echoes throughout Scripture.

Exodus 1 17 Commentary

Exodus 1:17 is a cornerstone of biblical ethics and the narrative of deliverance. It presents a profound lesson in prioritizing God's authority over human command, especially when human commands contravene divine law or moral righteousness. The midwives' "fear of God" was not cowering dread, but a profound reverence, allegiance, and recognition of His ultimate sovereignty and sacredness of human life. This internal conviction empowered them to defy the most powerful ruler of their time, valuing human life—which is made in God's image—above the threat of earthly reprisal. Their humble, courageous act demonstrates that God often works through the unexpected and marginalized to thwart the plans of the mighty. It also underscores that true faith may sometimes necessitate civil disobedience when government commands clash with God's perfect will, leading to divine favor and blessings.