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Exodus 1:17

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Exodus 1:17 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “But the midwives feared God, and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the men-children alive.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

But the midwives feared God, and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the men-children alive.
Exodus 1:17 — American Standard Version

Context — Exodus 1

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
14and they made their lives bitter with hard service, in mortar and in brick, and in all manner of service in the field, all their service, wherein they made them serve with rigor.
15And the king of Egypt spake to the Hebrew midwives, of whom the name of the one was Shiphrah, and the name of the other Puah:
16and he said, When ye do the office of a midwife to the Hebrew women, and see them upon the birth-stool; if it be a son, then ye shall kill him; but if it be a daughter, then she shall live.
17But the midwives feared God, and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the men-children alive.
18And the king of Egypt called for the midwives, and said unto them, Why have ye done this thing, and have saved the men-children alive?
19And 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.
20And God dealt well with the midwives: and the people multiplied, and waxed very mighty.
← Exodus 1:16Exodus 1:18 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“But the midwives feared God, etc.] And therefore durst not take away the life of an human creature, which was contrary to the express law of God, (<010906>Genesis 9:6): and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them; knowing it was right to obey God rather than man, though ever so great, or in so exalted a station: but saved the men children alive; did not use any violence with them, by stifling them in the birth. The scheme was so barbarous and shocking, especially to the tender sex, to whom it was proposed, and so devoid of humanity, that one would think it should never enter into the heart of man.”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“But the midwives feared God--Their faith inspired them with such courage as to risk their lives, by disobeying the mandate of a cruel tyrant; but it was blended with weakness, which made them shrink from speaking the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“But the midwives feared God - Dreaded his wrath more than Pharaoh's, and therefore saved the men - children alive. Exodus 1:19”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“1:17 The midwives . . . refused to obey the mighty Egyptian king because they feared God more than they feared Pharaoh (1:21). Fear of the Lord (reverent awe of him as the almighty Creator and Judge) is the foundation of true knowledge and of wisdom (Prov 1:7; 9:10). The Lord is a friend to those who fear him (Ps 25:14). The midwives understood that the Lord has more power than any human being.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“feared God: Gen 20:11, Gen 42:18; Neh 5:15; Psa 31:19; Pro 8:13, Pro 16:6, Pro 24:11, Pro 24:12; Ecc 8:12; Ecc 12:13; Dan 3:16-18, Dan 6:13; Hos 5:11; Mic 6:16; Mat 10:28; Luk 12:5; Act 4:19, Act 5:29 Exodus 1:18”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“But the midwives feared God (ha-Elohim, the personal, true God), and did not execute the king's command. Exodus 1:18”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification