Exodus 1:19

KJV

And the midwives said unto Pharaoh, Because the Hebrew women [are] not as the Egyptian women; for they [are] lively, and are delivered ere the midwives come in unto them.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the midwives {H3205} said {H559} unto Pharaoh {H6547}, Because the Hebrew {H5680} women {H802} are not as the Egyptian women {H4713}; for they are lively {H2422}, and are delivered {H3205} ere {H2962} the midwives {H3205} come in {H935} unto them.

Complete Jewish Bible

The midwives answered Pharaoh, "It's because the Hebrew women aren't like the Egyptian women -they go into labor and give birth before the midwife arrives."

Berean Standard Bible

The midwives answered Pharaoh, “The Hebrew women are not like the Egyptian women, for they are vigorous and give birth before a midwife arrives.”

American Standard Version

And the midwives said unto Pharaoh, Because the Hebrew women are not as the Egyptian women; for they are lively, and are delivered ere the midwife come unto them.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 1:19 records the courageous and divinely-inspired deception employed by the Hebrew midwives, Shiphrah and Puah, in response to Pharaoh's genocidal decree. When confronted by Pharaoh about their failure to execute his command to kill all male Israelite infants, they offered a plausible, yet strategically crafted, explanation: the Hebrew women were so vigorous and delivered their children with such speed that the midwives arrived too late to intervene. This astute reply not only protected the lives of countless infants but also underscored the midwives' profound fear of God, which transcended their fear of earthly authority, thereby contributing significantly to the preservation and growth of the Israelite nation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated at a critical juncture in the book of Exodus, serving as a pivotal moment immediately following Pharaoh's direct and chilling command to the Hebrew midwives in [Exodus 1:15-16](/exodus/1-15-16 "Pharaoh's Command to the Midwives"). The narrative flow establishes Pharaoh's escalating fear and oppression of the rapidly multiplying Israelites, leading to this horrific decree. The midwives' defiant, yet artful, response in [Exodus 1:17-19](/exodus/1-17-19 "The Midwives' Defiance and Explanation") directly contrasts with Pharaoh's tyrannical will, highlighting their moral courage and God's active hand in preserving His people. This episode sets the stage for the subsequent divine intervention and the miraculous deliverance of Israel from Egyptian bondage, culminating in the birth and preservation of Moses, the future deliverer, whose life would have been forfeit had the midwives complied.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ancient Egypt, a dominant power of the Near East, was characterized by a highly centralized monarchy where the Pharaoh was considered a divine ruler, his word absolute law. The rapid increase of the Israelite population, as noted in [Exodus 1:7](/exodus/1-7 "The Israelites Multiply in Egypt"), would have been perceived as a significant demographic and political threat to Egyptian stability, particularly in a period of potential unrest or invasion. Infanticide, while abhorrent, was not entirely unknown in ancient cultures, though typically not on such a systematic, ethnically targeted scale. Midwives, often respected figures in ancient societies, held a unique position of trust and intimacy within the birthing process. Pharaoh's reliance on them for his genocidal plan underscores the depth of his desperation and the calculated nature of his cruelty. The midwives' defiance, therefore, was not merely an act of civil disobedience but a profound challenge to the authority of a god-king, a decision fraught with extreme personal peril.
* **Key Themes:** Exodus 1:19 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Exodus and the broader Pentateuch. It exemplifies the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Providence**, demonstrating that God's plan for His people cannot be thwarted by human decrees, no matter how powerful the oppressor. It highlights **Moral Courage and Civil Disobedience**, as the midwives prioritize their fear of God over their fear of Pharaoh, setting a precedent for righteous resistance against unjust authority, a theme echoed later in the prophetic tradition. The verse also underscores the theme of **God's Faithfulness to His Covenant Promises**, particularly the promise of numerous descendants given to Abraham in [Genesis 12:2](/genesis/12-2 "God's Promise to Abraham") and [Genesis 15:5](/genesis/15-5 "God's Covenant with Abraham"). Furthermore, it introduces the motif of **God Using the Humble and Unexpected** to accomplish His grand purposes, as these two ordinary women become instrumental in preserving the lineage through which the Messiah would eventually come.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **lively (Hebrew, _châyeh'_):** From the root H2422, meaning "vigorous" or "full of life." In this context, it describes the Hebrew women as exceptionally robust, healthy, and experiencing swift, uncomplicated labors. This implies a natural, unassisted process of childbirth, contrasting with the more difficult or drawn-out births that might typically require a midwife's immediate presence. The midwives' use of this term serves as a plausible (or strategically crafted) explanation for their purported inability to intervene.
* **ere (Hebrew, _ṭerem'_):** From the root H2962, meaning "not yet" or "before." This adverb emphasizes the speed and natural ease of these births. The phrase "delivered ere the midwives come in unto them" reinforces the idea that the births were so rapid that the infants were born before the midwives could even arrive, strengthening the credibility of their excuse to Pharaoh. It highlights the perceived efficiency of the Hebrew women's birthing process.
* **midwives (Hebrew, _yâlad'_):** Derived from the primitive root H3205, which primarily means "to bear young" or "to beget," but also medically, "to act as midwife." The repetition of this word in the verse, referring both to the women who "are delivered" and the "midwives" themselves, subtly underscores the natural, self-sufficient birthing process the midwives claimed was occurring. It highlights their professional role and the apparent paradox of their non-intervention, which they attributed to the women's vigor.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the midwives said unto Pharaoh":** This opening clause immediately places the two humble Hebrew women, Shiphrah and Puah, in direct confrontation with the most powerful ruler of their time. It highlights their courage in standing before Pharaoh and offering an explanation for their non-compliance, a moment fraught with immense personal risk.
* **"Because the Hebrew women [are] not as the Egyptian women":** This is the core of their strategic defense. By drawing a distinction between Hebrew and Egyptian women, the midwives suggest a unique, perhaps divinely-endowed, resilience among the Israelite women. This comparison serves to deflect blame from themselves, framing the situation as a natural, uncontrollable phenomenon rather than an act of defiance on their part.
* **"for they [are] lively, and are delivered ere the midwives come in unto them":** This final clause provides the specific justification for their claim. The term "lively" (Hebrew: *châyeh*) suggests vigor and vitality, implying swift and easy births. The phrase "delivered ere the midwives come in unto them" emphasizes the speed of these births, asserting that the babies were born before the midwives could even arrive. This explanation, whether entirely factual or a clever evasion, effectively thwarted Pharaoh's genocidal plan by providing a plausible reason for their non-compliance.

#### Literary Devices
Exodus 1:19 masterfully employs **Irony** and **Understatement**. The profound irony lies in the fact that Pharaoh, the most powerful man on earth, is outwitted and outmaneuvered by two seemingly insignificant women. His grand, genocidal scheme is thwarted not by a mighty army, but by a clever verbal evasion. The midwives' explanation, while plausible, is an **Understatement** of the divine hand at work. They attribute the swift births to the women being "lively," subtly implying a natural phenomenon, rather than explicitly stating God's direct intervention, which would have been a direct challenge to Pharaoh's authority. This narrative skill highlights the **Contrast** between human wickedness and divine providence, and the **Foreshadowing** of God's ultimate victory over Pharaoh, achieved through unexpected means. The midwives' **Narrative Skill** in crafting this believable excuse also serves as a testament to their wisdom and quick thinking under pressure.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 1:19 serves as a profound testament to God's unwavering sovereignty and His active preservation of His covenant people, even in the face of tyrannical oppression. The midwives' courageous act, rooted in their fear of God rather than man, demonstrates how divine purposes can be accomplished through the seemingly humble and unexpected instruments. Their strategic evasion not only saved countless lives but also underscored the futility of human attempts to thwart God's redemptive plan. This incident foreshadows God's larger deliverance of Israel from Egypt, establishing a pattern of divine protection and intervention that permeates biblical history.

* [Psalm 33:10-11](/psalms/33-10-11 "The Lord Foils the Plans of Nations")
* [Proverbs 21:30](/proverbs/21-30 "No Wisdom, No Understanding, No Counsel Can Avail Against the Lord")
* [Acts 5:29](/acts/5-29 "Peter and the Apostles Obey God Rather Than Men")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Exodus 1:19 offers timeless lessons on integrity, courage, and divine providence that resonate deeply with believers today. It reminds us that God's sovereign plan for His people will always prevail, regardless of the opposition or the apparent power of those who seek to thwart it. The midwives' decision to fear God more than Pharaoh provides a powerful model for ethical living, calling us to cultivate moral courage and to stand for what is right, even when it means defying unjust authorities or facing personal risk. Their faithfulness, even in a seemingly ordinary role, was used by God for extraordinary purposes, demonstrating that every believer, regardless of their station, can be an instrument in God's hands. This account encourages us to trust that God can use even our seemingly insignificant acts of obedience to accomplish His grand purposes, assuring us that faithfulness to God, even in the face of danger, brings divine favor and blessing, as seen in [Exodus 1:20-21](/exodus/1-20-21 "God's Blessing on the Midwives").

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life are you tempted to compromise your faith to avoid human disapproval or consequences?**
* **How can the example of the midwives inspire you to demonstrate moral courage in your sphere of influence today?**
* **Where do you see evidence of God's sovereign hand preserving His people or His purposes in the world around you?**

### FAQ

**Was the midwives' explanation to Pharaoh a lie?**

Answer: The text does not explicitly label the midwives' statement as a "lie" in the modern sense. The Hebrew word *châyeh* ("lively") suggests vigor and quickness, so it is plausible that Hebrew women generally experienced swift deliveries. However, the primary intent of their statement was undoubtedly to deceive Pharaoh and protect the infants, thereby prioritizing God's command over Pharaoh's. The Bible commends their actions in [Exodus 1:20](/exodus/1-20 "God Dealt Well with the Midwives") not for their precise truthfulness to Pharaoh, but for their fear of God and their courage in preserving life. This highlights a biblical principle where actions motivated by faith and aimed at preserving life or God's purposes are sometimes presented in a morally complex light, focusing on the ultimate righteous outcome.

**What is the significance of the Hebrew women being "lively"?**

Answer: The term "lively" (Hebrew: *châyeh*) emphasizes the extraordinary vitality and resilience of the Hebrew women. This perceived vigor, whether a natural characteristic or divinely enhanced, served as a highly plausible excuse for the midwives' non-compliance. Theologically, it highlights God's active hand in preserving His people, even down to the physical strength and swiftness of childbirth. This divine enablement ensured the rapid growth of the Israelite population despite Pharaoh's attempts to suppress them, demonstrating God's faithfulness to His covenant promises to multiply Abraham's descendants, as seen in [Genesis 12:2](/genesis/12-2 "God's Promise to Abraham").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 1:19, through the courageous and God-fearing actions of the Hebrew midwives, powerfully illustrates God's unwavering commitment to preserving His covenant people, from whom the Messiah would ultimately come. Pharaoh's attempt to destroy the male infants, a direct assault on the lineage of promise, finds its ultimate fulfillment and counterpoint in the New Testament. Just as God used the wisdom and courage of humble women to protect Israel's future, He ultimately sent His Son, Jesus Christ, who through divine wisdom and power, perfectly fulfilled God's redemptive purposes. Pharaoh's decree foreshadows Herod's similar attempt to eliminate the infant Jesus in [Matthew 2:16](/matthew/2-16 "Herod's Slaughter of the Innocents"), yet God's protective hand ensured Christ's survival. Jesus, the true and ultimate deliverer, was preserved from infancy to the cross, not merely to save physical lives, but to overcome the ultimate enemies of sin and death, securing eternal salvation for all who believe, thereby fulfilling the pattern of divine protection and sovereign purpose seen in this early Exodus narrative. His preservation from all human and demonic attempts to thwart His mission ensures the salvation of His people, echoing the miraculous preservation of Israel's lineage.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

2 Samuel 17:19

And the woman took and spread a covering over the well's mouth, and spread ground corn thereon; and the thing was not known.

2 Samuel 17:20

And when Absalom's servants came to the woman to the house, they said, Where [is] Ahimaaz and Jonathan? And the woman said unto them, They be gone over the brook of water. And when they had sought and could not find [them], they returned to Jerusalem.

Joshua 2:4

And the woman took the two men, and hid them, and said thus, There came men unto me, but I wist not whence they [were]:

Joshua 2:24

And they said unto Joshua, Truly the LORD hath delivered into our hands all the land; for even all the inhabitants of the country do faint because of us.

1 Samuel 21:2

And David said unto Ahimelech the priest, The king hath commanded me a business, and hath said unto me, Let no man know any thing of the business whereabout I send thee, and what I have commanded thee: and I have appointed [my] servants to such and such a place.