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Exodus 1:21

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Exodus 1:21 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And it came to pass, because the midwives feared God, that he made them households.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And it came to pass, because the midwives feared God, that he made them households.
Exodus 1:21 — American Standard Version

Context — Exodus 1

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
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.
21And it came to pass, because the midwives feared God, that he made them households.
22And Pharaoh charged all his people, saying, Every son that is born ye shall cast into the river, and every daughter ye shall save alive.
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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
“And it came to pass, because the midwives feared God, etc.] And regarded his command, and not that of the king, though they risked his displeasure, and their lives: that he made them houses; which some understand of the Israelites making houses for them, being moved to it by the Lord, to preserve them from the insults of the Egyptians; others of Pharaoh building houses for them, in which he kept them, until the Hebrew women came to their time of delivery, who were ordered to be brought to these houses, that it might be known by others, as well as the midwives, whether they brought forth sons or daughters, neither of which is likely: but rather the sense is, that God made them houses, and hid…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Made them houses - i. e. they married Hebrews and became mothers in Israel. The expression is proverbial. See the margin reference. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“made them: Sa1 2:35, Sa1 25:28; Sa2 7:11-13, Sa2 7:27-29; Kg1 2:24, Kg1 11:38; Psa 37:3; Psa 127:1, Psa 127:3; Pro 24:3; Ecc 8:12; Jer 35:2 Exodus 1:22”
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Related study paths

Read Exodus 1 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification