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Exodus 1:17

Egypt
Courage and strengthFearIntegrityObedience

15 Then the king of Egypt said to the Hebrew midwives, whose names were Shiphrah and Puah,

16 “When you help the Hebrew women give birth, observe them on the birthstools. If the child is a son, kill him; but if it is a daughter, let her live.”

The midwives, however, feared God and did not do as the king of Egypt had instructed; they let the boys live.

18 So the king of Egypt summoned the midwives and asked them, “Why have you done this? Why have you let the boys live?”

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

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Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
The midwives, however, feared God and did not do as the king of Egypt had instructed; they let the boys live.
KJV
But the midwives feared God, and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the men children alive.
WEB
But the midwives feared God, and didn’t do what the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the baby boys alive.
ASV
But the midwives feared God, and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the men-children alive.
DARBY
But the midwives feared God, and did not as the king of Egypt had said to them, but saved the male children alive.
BLB
And the midwives feared God and they did not do as the king of Egypt commanded to them. And the male children they kept alive.
ÅB
Men jordmødrene fryktet Gud og gjorde ikke som kongen i Egypt befalte dem, men lot guttebarna leve.
OTB
Men jordmødrene fryktet Gud og gjorde ikke som kongen av Egypt befalte dem, men lot guttene leve.
B1930
Men jordmødrene fryktet Gud og gjorde ikke som kongen i Egypten bød dem, men lot guttebarna leve.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Acts 5:29

    But Peter and the other apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than men.

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  • Exodus 1:21

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

    Read in context

  • Luke 12:5

    But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear the One who, after you have been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear Him!

    Read in context

  • Ecclesiastes 12:13

    When all has been heard, the conclusion of the matter is this: Fear God and keep His commandments, because this is the whole duty of man.

    Read in context

  • Matthew 10:28

    Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Instead, fear the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

    Read in context

  • Acts 4:18–20

    Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.

    Read in context

  • Daniel 3:16–18

    Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter.

    Read in context

  • Daniel 6:13

    Then they told the king, “Daniel, one of the exiles from Judah, shows no regard for you, O king, or for the decree that you have signed. He still makes his petition three times a day.”

    Read in context