Exodus 1:17 - But the midwives feared God, and didn’t do what the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the baby boys alive.
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What does "Exodus 1:17" mean?
This verse from Exodus 1:17 is a pivotal moment in the story of the Israelites' oppression in Egypt. It means:
"But the midwives feared God": The midwives, whose names are later revealed to be Shiphrah and Puah, prioritized their reverence and obedience to God over their fear of the Egyptian king. This suggests a belief in a higher power and a moral code that superseded earthly authority.
"and didn’t do what the king of Egypt commanded them": Pharaoh had ordered them to kill all newborn Hebrew male babies. Their refusal was an act of defiance and civil disobedience against a tyrannical decree.
"but saved the baby boys alive.": This is the core of their courageous act. They actively chose to preserve the lives of the Israelite children, directly contradicting Pharaoh's genocidal command.
In essence, the verse highlights the midwives' moral courage and faith. They valued human life and chose to obey a higher moral law (their fear of God) rather than the unjust demands of an earthly ruler. It sets the stage for the rest of the Exodus narrative, where God acts to deliver the Israelites from oppression because of the faith and actions of individuals like these midwives. They are portrayed as righteous individuals who, despite the risks, stood up for what was right and challenged the authority of a powerful and oppressive regime. Their act of defiance is a foundational act of resistance in the story of the Exodus.
Exodus 1:17 - But the midwives feared God, and didn’t do what the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the baby boys alive.
What does "Exodus 1:17" mean?
This verse from Exodus 1:17 is a pivotal moment in the story of the Israelites' oppression in Egypt. It means:
"But the midwives feared God": The midwives, whose names are later revealed to be Shiphrah and Puah, prioritized their reverence and obedience to God over their fear of the Egyptian king. This suggests a belief in a higher power and a moral code that superseded earthly authority.
"and didn’t do what the king of Egypt commanded them": Pharaoh had ordered them to kill all newborn Hebrew male babies. Their refusal was an act of defiance and civil disobedience against a tyrannical decree.
"but saved the baby boys alive.": This is the core of their courageous act. They actively chose to preserve the lives of the Israelite children, directly contradicting Pharaoh's genocidal command.
In essence, the verse highlights the midwives' moral courage and faith. They valued human life and chose to obey a higher moral law (their fear of God) rather than the unjust demands of an earthly ruler. It sets the stage for the rest of the Exodus narrative, where God acts to deliver the Israelites from oppression because of the faith and actions of individuals like these midwives. They are portrayed as righteous individuals who, despite the risks, stood up for what was right and challenged the authority of a powerful and oppressive regime. Their act of defiance is a foundational act of resistance in the story of the Exodus.