But the midwives feared God and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but let the male children live.
English Standard Version (ESV)
It's easy to see their actions as simply obeying God over Pharaoh, but what's striking is how the text frames their decision: they "feared God," an ancient way of saying they recognized His ultimate authority and holiness. This fear wasn't just about punishment; it was a profound reverence that empowered them to defy a tyrannical command, choosing life and divine alignment over earthly power.
But the midwives feared God and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but let the male children live.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Pharaoh, seeing that the Israelites were multiplying rapidly, resorted to a cruel plan to suppress them. He commanded the Hebrew midwives, Shiphrah and Puah, to kill every newborn Israelite boy at birth. However, these women, respecting a higher authority, defied the king's wicked decree and allowed the male infants to live.
Pharaoh issues a death sentence for every newborn boy. What makes these midwives choose a different path, risking their own lives?
This is a foundational moment where human authority clashes with divine authority. The king commands the midwives to kill the male infants at birth. This is a terrifying, seemingly absolute command. Yet, the text says, 'But the midwives feared God...'
This fear of God isn't about being scared of Him in a paralyzing way. It's a deep reverence, an awe that recognizes God's ultimate sovereignty. It means understanding that God's laws and His ways are higher than any earthly ruler's decrees.
They knew that murder was wrong according to God's established moral order, even before the Ten Commandments were formally given. This 'fear of God' compelled them to disobey the king, prioritizing obedience to the Creator over obedience to a human tyrant. It's a powerful reminder that our ultimate allegiance must always be to God.
Imagine the pressure: the king's direct order, the potential for severe punishment. How did these women find the courage to defy him?
The midwives faced a stark choice: obey Pharaoh and commit murder, or disobey and face his wrath. The text highlights their 'fear of God' as the source of their courage. This divine perspective gave them a different kind of fear – one that outweighed the fear of human reprisal.
They understood that obeying Pharaoh would mean sinning against God, a far greater offense with eternal consequences. Their decision wasn't just about passive non-compliance; it was an active choice to protect innocent life, aligning themselves with God's heart for His people. This faith empowered them to act righteously, even when it was dangerous and inconvenient.
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Understand the original words
yārēʾ · Hebrew Verb
The reverential awe, obedience, and holy fear of the Lord. It signifies a disposition that prioritizes obedience to God over the commands of earthly authorities, acknowledging His supreme sovereignty.
The midwives' brave defiance highlights a crucial biblical theme: the conflict between human authority and divine command. Their choice reveals that true faith often requires risking earthly consequences to obey a higher moral law, preserving God's people against overwhelming odds.
~1550 BC
New Dynasty Suppresses Hebrews
Following the expulsion of the Hyksos, a new dynasty arose in Egypt that did not know Joseph. This dynasty saw the growing Hebrew population as a potential threat and began to oppress them.
Mid-15th century BC
Hebrews Enslaved and Forced Labor
The Hebrews were subjected to brutal forced labor, building cities like Pithom and Raamses. Despite the oppression, their population continued to grow.
Mid-15th century BC— this verse
Pharaoh Orders Infanticide of Hebrew Males
Pharaoh, fearing the sheer numbers of Hebrews, commands the Hebrew midwives, Shiphrah and Puah, to kill all newborn Hebrew boys. This command is a direct attempt to control the Hebrew population and prevent their potential rebellion or dominance.
Mid-15th century BC
Midwives Disobey Pharaoh's Command
Shiphrah and Puah, fearing God more than Pharaoh, defy the king's order and allow the Hebrew baby boys to live, thus preserving the Hebrew lineage and defying tyrannical authority.
Mid-15th century BC
Pharaoh Escalates Cruelty
Upon discovering the midwives' disobedience, Pharaoh, enraged, issues a new, more brutal decree: all newborn Hebrew boys are to be thrown into the Nile River to drown.
Mid-15th century BC
Birth of Moses
In this climate of intense persecution and infanticide, Moses is born. His mother, defying the Pharaoh's decree, hides him for three months before placing him in a basket on the Nile.
This passage highlights the profound importance of obedience to God over human commands, mirroring the midwives' courageous decision to prioritize divine will above Pharaoh's decree.
Daniel 3:16-18Daniel and his friends' refusal to bow to the king's idol, despite facing fiery death, demonstrates a similar courageous defiance rooted in their unwavering faith in God, much like the midwives' fear of God overriding fear of Pharaoh.
Acts 5:29Peter's declaration, 'We must obey God rather than men,' directly echoes the principle behind the midwives' actions, establishing a foundational truth for believers facing unjust authority.
Romans 13:1-7While this passage calls for submission to governing authorities, it implicitly assumes those authorities are acting justly. The midwives' case shows the critical boundary where obedience to man becomes disobedience to God, requiring a higher allegiance.
1 Peter 2:17This verse calls believers to 'Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.' The midwives exemplify this hierarchy of fear and honor, placing their fear of God above their duty to the earthly ruler.
gillExodus 1:17: "But the midwives feared God, and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the men children alive."
But the midwives feared God,.... And therefore durst not take away the life of an human creature, which was contrary to the express law of God, 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 t…
calvinExodus 1:15-22: "And the king of Egypt spake to the Hebrew midwives, of which the name of the one was Shiphrah, and the name of the other Puah:"
- And the king of Egypt spake. The tyrant now descends from the open violence and cruelty which had availed nothing, to secret plots and deceit. He desires the infants to be killed at their birth; and commands the midwives to be the instruments of this dreadful barbarity. We read of no such detestable example of inhumanity since the world began. I ad…
It's easy to see their actions as simply obeying God over Pharaoh, but what's striking is how the text frames their decision: they "feared God," an ancient way of saying they recognized His ultimate authority and holiness. This fear wasn't just about punishment; it was a profound reverence that empowered them to defy a tyrannical command, choosing life and divine alignment over earthly power.
Pharaoh, seeing that the Israelites were multiplying rapidly, resorted to a cruel plan to suppress them. He commanded the Hebrew midwives, Shiphrah and Puah, to kill every newborn Israelite boy at birth. However, these women, respecting a higher authority, defied the king's wicked decree and allowed the male infants to live.
Pharaoh, seeing that the Israelites were multiplying rapidly, resorted to a cruel plan to suppress them. He commanded the Hebrew midwives, Shiphrah and Puah, to kill every newborn Israelite boy at birth. However, these women, respecting a higher authority, defied the king's wicked decree and allowed the male infants to live.
"But the midwives feared God and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but let the male children live." — It's easy to see their actions as simply obeying God over Pharaoh, but what's striking is how the text frames their decision: they "feared God," an ancient way of saying they recognized His ultimat…
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Last reviewed October 2026