Exodus 1:17

But the midwives feared God, and did not as the king of Egypt appointed them; and they saved the male children alive.

Updated Brenton Septuagint

In The King James Version

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

In Context

16And he said, When ye do the office of midwives to the Hebrew women, and they are about to be delivered, if it be a male, kill it; but if a female, save it.

18And the king of Egypt called the midwives, and said to them, Why is it that ye have done this thing, and saved the male children alive?

Read all of Exodus 1

Cross References

Genesis 42:18And he said to them on the third day, This do, and ye shall live, for I fear God.

1 Samuel 22:17And the king said to the footmen that attended on him, Draw nigh and slay the priests of the Lord, because their hand is with David, and because they knew that he fled, and they did not inform me. But the servants of the king would not lift their hands to fall upon the priests of the Lord.

Ecclesiastes 8:12He that has sinned has done evil from that time, 1 And long from beforehand: 1 Nevertheless I know, 1 That it is well with them that fear God, 1 That they may fear before him: 1

Matthew Henry on Exodus 1:16-22

15 And the king of Egypt spake to the Hebrew midwives, of which the name of the one was Shiphrah, and the name of the other Puah: 16 And he said, When ye do the office of a midwife to the Hebrew women, and see them upon the stools; if it be a son, then ye shall kill him: but if it be a daughter, then she shall live. 17 But the midwives feared God, and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the men children alive. 18 And the king of Egypt called for the midwives, and said unto them, Why have ye done… Read the whole commentary →

This Verse In Other Editions

Study Exodus 1:17