Exodus 1 21

Exodus 1:21 kjv

And it came to pass, because the midwives feared God, that he made them houses.

Exodus 1:21 nkjv

And so it was, because the midwives feared God, that He provided households for them.

Exodus 1:21 niv

And because the midwives feared God, he gave them families of their own.

Exodus 1:21 esv

And because the midwives feared God, he gave them families.

Exodus 1:21 nlt

And because the midwives feared God, he gave them families of their own.

Exodus 1 verses

Exodus 1 21 Meaning

Exodus 1:21 states that because the midwives reverently feared God, defying Pharaoh's decree to kill male Israelite infants, God showed them favor by establishing their families or lineage. This verse highlights God's sovereignty, His blessing upon those who obey Him rather than human authority, and His faithfulness to multiply His people even under oppression.

Exodus 1 21 Context

Exodus chapter 1 sets the stage for Israel's oppression in Egypt after Joseph's death. The Israelites rapidly multiplied, fulfilling God's covenant promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. This immense growth sparked fear in a new Pharaoh, who perceived their large numbers as a threat to his kingdom's security. To control the Israelite population, Pharaoh implemented cruel measures: first, forced labor, then a secret decree commanding two Hebrew midwives, Shiphrah and Puah, to kill all male Israelite infants at birth. This verse, Exodus 1:21, is part of the immediate narrative describing the midwives' response. Despite Pharaoh's authority, these women defied his order, choosing instead to "fear God." Their faith-filled disobedience highlights a foundational principle of the Mosaic covenant, setting the stage for God's redemptive work through Moses. The historical context reflects an autocratic Egyptian rule, where Pharaoh was seen as divine, making the midwives' rebellion against his decree an astonishing act of defiance. Their "fear of God" was not just religious piety but an active, ethical stand against injustice.

Exodus 1 21 Word analysis

• And it came to pass: This common Hebrew idiom (וַיְהִי, vayhi) introduces a new development or consequence. It links the previous action (midwives' defiance, God dealing well with them) to the direct outcome presented in this verse.
• because the midwives feared God: The phrase "feared God" (יָרְאוּ הָאֱלֹהִים, yare'u ha'elohim) is the central theological and moral hinge of the verse.
  • feared (יָרְאוּ, yare'u): This is not a servile or terrified fear, but rather a profound reverence, awe, and submission to God's authority and moral law. It signifies acknowledging God's power and sovereignty, leading to active obedience and moral courage. For the midwives, it meant recognizing God as a higher authority than Pharaoh. Their fear of God outweighed their fear of the king.
  • God (הָאֱלֹהִים, ha'elohim): The definite article "the" indicates the one true God, YHWH, the God of Israel. It sets up a contrast with Pharaoh, whose claims to divinity are implicitly challenged by the midwives' obedience to a higher power.
• that he made them houses: This phrase (וַיַּעַשׂ לָהֶם בָּתִּים, vayya'as lahem battim) signifies a divine blessing.
  • he: This unambiguously refers to God (הָאֱלֹהִים), carrying forward the subject from "feared God."
  • made (וַיַּעַשׂ, vayya'as): This verb means 'made,' 'did,' 'performed,' or 'brought about.' It denotes God's active involvement in bestowing this blessing.
  • houses (בָּתִּים, battim): This is widely interpreted not as literal dwelling places, but as "families," "descendants," "households," or "dynasties." In ancient Near Eastern culture, establishing a "house" meant securing an enduring family line, often through marriage and progeny. By ensuring the survival of Israelite male children, the midwives risked their own lives and futures; in return, God ensured their own families would flourish and endure, signifying honor, status, and longevity. This directly connects to the common biblical promise of building a 'house' (family/lineage) as a sign of covenant faithfulness and blessing (e.g., God promising to build David a 'house' in 2 Sam 7). This interpretation underscores God's reciprocal justice: they preserved Israelite households, and God built their households.

Exodus 1 21 Bonus section

The narrative specifically names Shiphrah and Puah, unlike many anonymous women in the Bible. This particular mention highlights their individual courage and faith, inviting the reader to reflect on their example. Furthermore, the phrasing "God made them houses" contrasts with the Egyptians who, due to Pharaoh's hard-heartedness and opposition to God, would face their own "houses" being destroyed (e.g., the plague on the firstborn, Ex 12). The blessings on the midwives illustrate the truth that serving God genuinely leads to flourishing, while defying Him ultimately leads to decline and judgment.

Exodus 1 21 Commentary

Exodus 1:21 stands as a profound statement on divine retribution and the blessing that flows from reverent obedience to God. The phrase "feared God" serves as the pivotal ethical and theological decision point in the narrative. In a society where the king was revered as a god, the midwives' choice to "fear God" above Pharaoh was an act of profound courage and civil disobedience rooted in deep faith. This passage elevates these women as moral heroes who understood that allegiance to the Most High superseded any human command that violated God's moral order.

God's response, that "He made them houses," is a powerful example of His favor. This divine reward signifies not just literal shelter, but the establishment and prosperity of their lineage. It's a covenantal blessing: God secured their future through families, just as they helped secure the future of the Israelite families. This act of "house-building" (familial posterity) demonstrates God's immediate and tangible reward for faith and righteous action. It subtly yet powerfully contrasts Pharaoh's murderous agenda with God's life-affirming sovereignty, proving that even in the darkest moments of oppression, God is at work, fulfilling His promises to multiply His people and to bless those who walk in His fear. The midwives' actions laid an essential foundation for the miraculous redemption of Israel, underscoring that God often uses seemingly insignificant individuals to advance His grand plans.