Exodus 1:17 Made Simple

KJV ORIGINAL

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

Close to the original. Clear modern English.

✦ MADE SIMPLE

But the midwives respected and feared God, so they didn't obey what the king of Egypt ordered them to do. Instead, they kept the baby boys alive.

⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE

The midwives chose to obey God rather than the Egyptian king, saving the Hebrew baby boys' lives despite the king's deadly command.

📚 Historical Context

In the Book of Exodus, the Israelites had multiplied greatly in Egypt, leading the Pharaoh to view them as a threat and impose harsh slavery upon them. He specifically commanded the Hebrew midwives, Shiphrah and Puah, to kill all newborn boys to control the population. Despite this order, the midwives chose to fear God and protect the male infants, demonstrating loyalty to divine principles over human decrees.

Explore Similar Verses

Exodus 1:21

Because the midwives respected and honored God, He blessed them by giving them families of their own.

Exodus 1:15

The king of Egypt spoke to the Hebrew midwives. One was named Shiphrah, and the other was named Puah.

Exodus 1:16

And he said, 'When you help Hebrew women give birth and see them on the delivery chairs, if the baby is a boy, you must kill him. But if it's a girl, let her live.'

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