Exodus 1:17
ESV
But the midwives feared God and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but let the male children live.
NIV
The midwives, however, feared God and did not do what the king of Egypt had told them to do; they let the boys live.
NASB
But the midwives feared God, and did not do as the king of Egypt had commanded them, but let the boys live.
CSB
The midwives, however, feared God and did not do as the king of Egypt had told them; they let the boys live.
NLT
But because the midwives feared God, they refused to obey the king’s orders. They allowed the boys to live, too.
KJV
But the midwives feared God, and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the men children alive.
NKJV
But the midwives feared God, and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the male children alive.
What does Exodus 1:17 mean?
Three observations should be made regarding these midwives. First, the midwives "feared God" (Proverbs 1:7). Abraham had been praised for fearing God (Genesis 22:12), leaving an example for his descendants. These women would rather obey God than men (Acts 5:29). This "fear" is more than reverence, but more positive than simple terror. These women honored and obeyed their Lord.Second, the midwives risked their own lives to save the lives of the newborn sons of the Jews. Not only were these women slaves, but they were defying the orders of an absolute king. Disobedience, even in secret, would have put their own lives at risk. And yet, they absolutely refused to follow such evil orders, even when confronted about it later. This concept of obeying God, even if it means defying men (Acts 5:29), will continue into the New Testament church (Acts 4:19–20)
Third, the midwives' choice was not a mere theory. They were there, physically, and chose to "let the male children live." They could not bring themselves to put newborns to death. As midwives, they regularly witnessed the amazing beauty of new life entering the world. They also knew the experience of a stillborn child and the sorrow it brought to a family. These midwives protected vulnerable infant lives. God honored their decision, blessing them with children of their own (Exodus 1:21). The fact "God dealt well" with the midwives (Exodus 1:20) shows God's attitude regarding the value of newborn children.
Exodus 1:15–22 describes the most drastic attempt to curb Israeli population growth. After enslavement and brutality, the Hebrews are still growing. Out of fear, the Egyptians seek other ways of reducing Israeli power. Here, Pharaoh will enact a program of infanticide: ordering Hebrew midwives to murder male Jewish babies. When they resist, Egypt's king extends this command to the Egyptian people in general. This backdrop of murder sets the scene for the rise of Moses, the eventual leader of the nation of Israel.
The children of Abraham and Jacob grow rapidly, forming a prosperous nation made up of twelve tribes, one for each son of Jacob. This inspires fear and hate from the Egyptians. Their king first tries to slow down the Hebrews' growth by enslaving them. Next, he increases the brutality of their work. Then, he tries to command Jewish midwives to kill their own people's newborn baby boys. When these all fail, he openly orders the murder of all Jewish infant boys. Inadvertently, this creates the very situation which leads to the rise of Israel's eventual leader, Moses.
