Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version The midwives, however, feared God and did not do what the king of Egypt had told them to do; they let the boys live. New Living Translation But because the midwives feared God, they refused to obey the king’s orders. They allowed the boys to live, too. English Standard Version But the midwives feared God and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but let the male children live. Berean Standard Bible The midwives, however, feared God and did not do as the king of Egypt had instructed; they let the boys live. King James Bible But the midwives feared God, and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the men children alive. New King James Version But the midwives feared God, and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the male children alive. New American Standard Bible But the midwives feared God, and did not do as the king of Egypt had commanded them, but let the boys live. NASB 1995 But the midwives feared God, and did not do as the king of Egypt had commanded them, but let the boys live. NASB 1977 But the midwives feared God, and did not do as the king of Egypt had commanded them, but let the boys live. Legacy Standard Bible But the midwives feared God and did not do as the king of Egypt had spoken to them, but let the boys live. Amplified Bible But the midwives feared God [with profound reverence] and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded, but they let the boy babies live. Christian Standard Bible The midwives, however, feared God and did not do as the king of Egypt had told them; they let the boys live. Holman Christian Standard Bible The Hebrew midwives, however, feared God and did not do as the king of Egypt had told them; they let the boys live. American Standard Version But the midwives feared God, and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the men-children alive. Contemporary English Version But the two women were faithful to God and did not kill the boys, even though the king had told them to. English Revised Version But the midwives feared God, and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the men children alive. GOD'S WORD® Translation However, the midwives feared God and didn't obey the king of Egypt's orders. They let the boys live. Good News Translation But the midwives were God-fearing and so did not obey the king; instead, they let the boys live. International Standard Version But the midwives feared God and didn't do what the king of Egypt told them. Instead, they let the boys live. NET Bible But the midwives feared God and did not do what the king of Egypt had told them; they let the boys live. New Heart English Bible But the midwives feared God, and did not do what the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the baby boys alive. Webster's Bible Translation But the midwives feared God, and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the male-children alive. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleThe midwives, however, feared God and did not do as the king of Egypt had instructed; they let the boys live. World English Bible But the midwives feared God, and didn’t do what the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the baby boys alive. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd the midwives fear God, and have not done as the king of Egypt has spoken to them, and they keep the boys alive; Young's Literal Translation And the midwives fear God, and have not done as the king of Egypt hath spoken unto them, and keep the lads alive; Smith's Literal Translation And the midwives will fear God, and they did not according to what the king of Egypt said to them, and they will preserve alive the boys. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleBut the midwives feared God, and did not do as the king of Egypt had commanded, but saved the men children. Catholic Public Domain Version But the midwives feared God, and so they did not act according to the precept of the king of Egypt, but they kept the males safe. New American Bible The midwives, however, feared God; they did not do as the king of Egypt had ordered them, but let the boys live. New Revised Standard Version But the midwives feared God; they did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but they let the boys live. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleBut the midwives feared God, and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but let the boys live. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And the midwives feared God and did not do as the King of Egypt told them, and they were saving the boys. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917But the midwives feared God, and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the men-children alive. Brenton Septuagint Translation But the midwives feared God, and did not as the king of Egypt appointed them; and they saved the male children alive. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Oppression by a New King…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.” 17The midwives, however, feared God and did not do as the king of Egypt had instructed; they let the boys live. 18So the king of Egypt summoned the midwives and asked them, “Why have you done this? Why have you let the boys live?”… Cross References Acts 5:29 But Peter and the other apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than men. Hebrews 11:23 By faith Moses’ parents hid him for three months after his birth, because they saw that he was a beautiful child, and they were unafraid of the king’s edict. Daniel 3:16-18 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. / If the God whom we serve exists, then He is able to deliver us from the blazing fiery furnace and from your hand, O king. / But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden statue you have set up.” 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. Proverbs 29:25 The fear of man is a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is set securely on high. 1 Samuel 15:24 Then Saul said to Samuel, “I have sinned; I have transgressed the LORD’s commandment and your instructions, because I feared the people and obeyed their voice. Romans 13:1-2 Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which is from God. The authorities that exist have been appointed by God. / Consequently, whoever resists authority is opposing what God has set in place, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 1 Peter 3:14 But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear what they fear; do not be shaken.” Joshua 24:15 But if it is unpleasing in your sight to serve the LORD, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living. As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD!” Acts 4:19 But Peter and John replied, “Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to listen to you rather than God. 1 Kings 18:3-4 and Ahab summoned Obadiah, who was in charge of the palace. (Now Obadiah greatly feared the LORD, / for when Jezebel had slaughtered the prophets of the LORD, Obadiah had taken a hundred prophets and hidden them, fifty men per cave, providing them with food and water.) Luke 12:4-5 I tell you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. / 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! 2 Kings 11:1-3 When Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she proceeded to annihilate all the royal heirs. / But Jehosheba daughter of King Joram, the sister of Ahaziah, took Joash son of Ahaziah and stole him away from among the sons of the king who were being murdered. She put him and his nurse in a bedroom to hide him from Athaliah, and he was not killed. / And Joash remained hidden with his nurse in the house of the LORD for six years while Athaliah ruled the land. Revelation 2:10 Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison to test you, and you will suffer tribulation for ten days. Be faithful even unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. Isaiah 8:12-13 “Do not call conspiracy everything these people regard as conspiracy. Do not fear what they fear; do not live in dread. / The LORD of Hosts is the One you shall regard as holy. Only He should be feared; only He should be dreaded. Treasury of Scripture But the midwives feared God, and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the men children alive. feared God. Genesis 20:11 And Abraham said, Because I thought, Surely the fear of God is not in this place; and they will slay me for my wife's sake. Genesis 42:18 And Joseph said unto them the third day, This do, and live; for I fear God: Nehemiah 5:15 But the former governors that had been before me were chargeable unto the people, and had taken of them bread and wine, beside forty shekels of silver; yea, even their servants bare rule over the people: but so did not I, because of the fear of God. Jump to Previous Alive Baby Boys Children Commanded Egypt Fear Feared However Live Male Male-Children Men-Children Midwives Saved WomenJump to Next Alive Baby Boys Children Commanded Egypt Fear Feared However Live Male Male-Children Men-Children Midwives Saved WomenExodus 1 1. The children of Israel, after Joseph's death, increase.8. The more they are oppressed by a new king, the more they multiply. 15. The godliness of the midwives in saving the male children alive. 22. Pharaoh commands the male children to be cast into the river The midwives, however, feared God The midwives' fear of God indicates a reverence and respect for divine authority over human authority. This fear is not terror but a recognition of God's sovereignty and moral law. In the biblical context, fearing God often leads to wisdom and righteous actions (Proverbs 9:10). The midwives' actions can be seen as an early example of civil disobedience in the Bible, where God's law is prioritized over human edicts. This fear of God aligns with the broader biblical narrative that emphasizes obedience to God above all (Acts 5:29). and did not do as the king of Egypt had instructed; they let the boys live. Persons / Places / Events 1. MidwivesThese were Hebrew women tasked with assisting in childbirth. In this context, they were ordered by Pharaoh to kill Hebrew male infants at birth. 2. Pharaoh (King of Egypt) The ruler of Egypt who, fearing the growing population of the Israelites, commanded the midwives to kill all newborn Hebrew boys. 3. Hebrew Boys The male infants whom Pharaoh ordered to be killed to control the population of the Israelites. 4. Egypt The land where the Israelites were living in bondage and where these events took place. 5. Fear of God The reverence and respect for God that motivated the midwives to disobey Pharaoh's orders. Teaching Points Fear of God Over Fear of ManThe midwives' actions demonstrate the importance of prioritizing God's commands over human orders, especially when they conflict with God's moral law. Courage in Faith The midwives showed great courage by risking their lives to do what was right. This teaches us to stand firm in our faith, even in the face of adversity. God's Sovereignty and Protection Despite Pharaoh's power, God's plan for His people prevailed. This reminds us that God is sovereign and protects those who honor Him. Moral Integrity The midwives' decision to let the boys live reflects a commitment to moral integrity, which is a vital aspect of Christian character. Lists and Questions Top 10 Lessons from Exodus 1Who were the Hebrew midwives in the Bible? What is Antifa and what does it represent? How does Romans 13:2’s warning against resisting authority align with biblical accounts of resisting evil rulers (e.g., Exodus 1:17)? Given Romans 13:5 implies a duty to submit for conscience’s sake, how do we justify civil disobedience when authorities command actions contrary to moral law? (17) The midwives feared God.--The midwives, whether Hebrews or Egyptians, believed in a God who would punish wrong-doing, and therefore resolved not to obey the Pharaoh.Verse 17. - The midwives feared God. The midwives had a sense of religion, feared God sufficiently to decline imbruing their hands in the innocent blood of a number of defenceless infants, and, rather than do so wicked a thing, risked being punished by the monarch. They were not, as appears by ver. 19, highly religious - not of the stuff whereof martyrs are made; they did not scruple at a falsehood, believing it necessary to save their lives; and it would seem that they succeeded in deceiving the king. Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew The midwives, however,הַֽמְיַלְּדֹת֙ (ham·yal·lə·ḏōṯ) Article | Verb - Piel - Participle - feminine plural Strong's 3205: To bear young, to beget, medically, to act as midwife, to show lineage feared וַתִּירֶ֤אןָ (wat·tî·re·nā) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine plural Strong's 3372: To fear, to revere, caus, to frighten God הָ֣אֱלֹהִ֔ים (hā·’ĕ·lō·hîm) Article | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative and did not וְלֹ֣א (wə·lō) Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no do עָשׂ֔וּ (‘ā·śū) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural Strong's 6213: To do, make as כַּאֲשֶׁ֛ר (ka·’ă·šer) Preposition-k | Pronoun - relative Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that the king מֶ֣לֶךְ (me·leḵ) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 4428: A king of Egypt מִצְרָ֑יִם (miṣ·rā·yim) Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 4714: Egypt -- a son of Ham, also his descendants and their country in Northwest Africa had told דִּבֶּ֥ר (dib·ber) Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue them; אֲלֵיהֶ֖ן (’ă·lê·hen) Preposition | third person feminine plural Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to they let the boys הַיְלָדִֽים׃ (hay·lā·ḏîm) Article | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 3206: Something born, a lad, offspring live. וַתְּחַיֶּ֖יןָ (wat·tə·ḥay·ye·nā) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine plural Strong's 2421: To live, to revive Links Exodus 1:17 NIVExodus 1:17 NLT Exodus 1:17 ESV Exodus 1:17 NASB Exodus 1:17 KJV Exodus 1:17 BibleApps.com Exodus 1:17 Biblia Paralela Exodus 1:17 Chinese Bible Exodus 1:17 French Bible Exodus 1:17 Catholic Bible OT Law: Exodus 1:17 But the midwives feared God and didn't (Exo. 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