Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version “When you are helping the Hebrew women during childbirth on the delivery stool, if you see that the baby is a boy, kill him; but if it is a girl, let her live.” New Living Translation “When you help the Hebrew women as they give birth, watch as they deliver. If the baby is a boy, kill him; if it is a girl, let her live.” English Standard Version “When you serve as midwife to the Hebrew women and see them on the birthstool, if it is a son, you shall kill him, but if it is a daughter, she shall live.” Berean Standard Bible “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.” King James Bible And he said, When ye do the office of a midwife to the Hebrew women, and see them upon the stools; if it be a son, then ye shall kill him: but if it be a daughter, then she shall live. New King James Version and he said, “When you do the duties of a midwife for the Hebrew women, and see them on the birthstools, if it is a son, then you shall kill him; but if it is a daughter, then she shall live.” New American Standard Bible and he said, “When you are helping the Hebrew women to give birth and see them upon the birthstool, if it is a son, then you shall put him to death; but if it is a daughter, then she shall live.” NASB 1995 and he said, “When you are helping the Hebrew women to give birth and see them upon the birthstool, if it is a son, then you shall put him to death; but if it is a daughter, then she shall live.” NASB 1977 and he said, “When you are helping the Hebrew women to give birth and see them upon the birthstool, if it is a son, then you shall put him to death; but if it is a daughter, then she shall live.” Legacy Standard Bible and he said, “When you are helping the Hebrew women to give birth and see them upon the birthstool, if it is a son, then you shall put him to death; but if it is a daughter, then she shall live.” Amplified Bible “When you act as midwives to the Hebrew women and see them on the birthstool, if it is a son, you shall kill him; but if it is a daughter, she shall live.” Christian Standard Bible “When you help the Hebrew women give birth, observe them as they deliver. If the child is a son, kill him, but if it’s a daughter, she may live.” Holman Christian Standard Bible When you help the Hebrew women give birth, observe them as they deliver. If the child is a son, kill him, but if it’s a daughter, she may live.” American Standard Version and 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. Contemporary English Version He told them, "If a Hebrew woman gives birth to a girl, let the child live. If the baby is a boy, kill him!" English Revised Version and he said, When ye do the office of a midwife to the Hebrew women, and see them upon the birthstool; if it be a son, then ye shall kill him; but if it be a daughter, then she shall live. GOD'S WORD® Translation "When you help the Hebrew women in childbirth, look at the child when you deliver it. If it's a boy, kill it, but if it's a girl, let it live." Good News Translation "When you help the Hebrew women give birth," he said to them, "kill the baby if it is a boy; but if it is a girl, let it live." International Standard Version "When you help the Hebrew women give birth," he said, "watch them as they deliver. If it's a son, kill him; but if it's a daughter, let her live." Majority Standard Bible ?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.? NET Bible "When you assist the Hebrew women in childbirth, observe at the delivery: If it is a son, kill him, but if it is a daughter, she may live." New Heart English Bible and he said, "When you perform the duty of a midwife to the Hebrew women, and see them on the birth stool; if it is a son, then you shall kill him; but if it is a daughter, then she shall live." Webster's Bible Translation And he said, When ye do the office of a midwife to the Hebrew women, and see them upon the stools; if it shall be a son, then ye shall kill him; but if it shall be a daughter, then she shall live. World English Bible and he said, “When you perform the duty of a midwife to the Hebrew women, and see them on the birth stool, if it is a son, then you shall kill him; but if it is a daughter, then she shall live.” Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand says, “When you cause the Hebrew women to bear, and have looked on the children, if it [is] a son, then you have put him to death; and if it [is] a daughter, then she has lived.” Young's Literal Translation and saith, 'When ye cause the Hebrew women to bear, and have looked on the children; if it is a son -- then ye have put him to death; and if it is a daughter -- then she hath lived.' Smith's Literal Translation And he will say, In the delivering the Hebrew women, and seeing upon the stools, if it is a son, ye shall kill him; and if it is a daughter, preserve alive. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleCommanding them: When you shall do the office of midwives to the Hebrew women, and the time of delivery is come: if it be a man child, kill it: if a woman, keep it alive. Catholic Public Domain Version instructing them: “When you will act as a midwife to the Hebrew women, and the time of delivery has arrived: if it is male, put it to death; if it is female, retain it.” New American Bible “When you act as midwives for the Hebrew women, look on the birthstool: if it is a boy, kill him; but if it is a girl, she may live.” New Revised Standard Version “When you act as midwives to the Hebrew women, and see them on the birthstool, if it is a boy, kill him; but if it is a girl, she shall live.” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd he said to them, When you do perform your duties as midwives to the Hebrew women, look out when they kneel to deliver; if it is a male, then you must kill him; but if it is a female, then let her live. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And he said to them, “When you happen to deliver for a Hebrew woman, be looking, when kneeling; if it is a male, you kill him, and if it is a female, you save her.” OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917and he said: 'When ye do the office of a midwife to the Hebrew women, ye shall look upon the birthstool: if it be a son, then ye shall kill him; but if it be a daughter, then she shall live.' Brenton Septuagint Translation And he said, When ye do the office of midwives to the Hebrew women, and they are about to be delivered, if it be a male, kill it; but if a female, save it. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Oppression by a New King…15Then the king of Egypt said to the Hebrew midwives, whose names were Shiphrah and Puah, 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.… Cross References Matthew 2:16 When Herod saw that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was filled with rage. Sending orders, he put to death all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, according to the time he had learned from the Magi. Acts 7:19 He exploited our people and oppressed our fathers, forcing them to abandon their infants so they would die. Jeremiah 31:15 This is what the LORD says: “A voice is heard in Ramah, mourning and great weeping, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.” Matthew 2:18 “A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.” Genesis 35:17 During her severe labor, the midwife said to her, “Do not be afraid, for you are having another son.” 2 Kings 8:12 “Why is my lord weeping?” asked Hazael. “Because I know the evil you will do to the Israelites,” Elisha replied. “You will set fire to their fortresses, kill their young men with the sword, dash their little ones to pieces, and rip open their pregnant women.” Hosea 13:16 Samaria will bear her guilt because she has rebelled against her God. They will fall by the sword; their little ones will be dashed to pieces, and their pregnant women ripped open. Psalm 106:37-38 They sacrificed their sons and their daughters to demons. / They shed innocent blood—the blood of their sons and daughters, whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan, and the land was polluted with blood. 2 Kings 15:16 At that time Menahem, starting from Tirzah, attacked Tiphsah and everyone in its vicinity, because they would not open their gates. So he attacked Tiphsah and ripped open all the pregnant women. Isaiah 13:16 Their infants will be dashed to pieces before their eyes, their houses will be looted, and their wives will be ravished. 2 Kings 17:17 They sacrificed their sons and daughters in the fire and practiced divination and soothsaying. They devoted themselves to doing evil in the sight of the LORD, provoking Him to anger. Ezekiel 16:20-21 You even took the sons and daughters you bore to Me and sacrificed them as food to idols. Was your prostitution not enough? / You slaughtered My children and delivered them up through the fire to idols. 2 Chronicles 28:3 Moreover, Ahaz burned incense in the Valley of Ben-hinnom and sacrificed his sons in the fire, according to the abominations of the nations that the LORD had driven out before the Israelites. Leviticus 18:21 You must not give any of your children to be sacrificed to Molech, for you must not profane the name of your God. I am the LORD. Deuteronomy 18:10 Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, practices divination or conjury, interprets omens, practices sorcery, Treasury of Scripture And he said, When you do the office of a midwife to the Hebrew women, and see them on the stools; if it be a son, then you shall kill him: but if it be a daughter, then she shall live. and see them. Exodus 1:22 And Pharaoh charged all his people, saying, Every son that is born ye shall cast into the river, and every daughter ye shall save alive. Matthew 21:38 But when the husbandmen saw the son, they said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and let us seize on his inheritance. Revelation 12:4 And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born. Jump to Previous Bear Birth Boy Cause Childbirth Children Daughter Death Delivery Duty Girl Hebrew Help Helping Kill Live Midwife Observe Office Perform Serve Stool Stools WomenJump to Next Bear Birth Boy Cause Childbirth Children Daughter Death Delivery Duty Girl Hebrew Help Helping Kill Live Midwife Observe Office Perform Serve Stool Stools 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 When you help the Hebrew women give birth This phrase refers to the midwives' role in ancient Egypt, where childbirth was a significant event often assisted by midwives. The Hebrew women were the descendants of Jacob, living in Egypt since the time of Joseph. The midwives, Shiphrah and Puah, were tasked with assisting these women, highlighting the importance of their role in the community. This reflects the growing population of the Israelites, which was seen as a threat by the Egyptians. observe them on the birthstools If the child is a son, kill him but if it is a daughter, let her live Persons / Places / Events 1. PharaohThe ruler of Egypt who, fearing the growing population of the Israelites, ordered the Hebrew midwives to kill all newborn Hebrew boys. 2. Hebrew Midwives Women tasked with assisting Hebrew women during childbirth. They were ordered by Pharaoh to kill male infants. 3. Hebrew Women The Israelite women living in Egypt, whose children were targeted by Pharaoh's decree. 4. Egypt The land where the Israelites were living in bondage and where this decree was issued. 5. Israelites The descendants of Jacob living in Egypt, who were multiplying and becoming a concern for Pharaoh. Teaching Points The Sanctity of LifeThis passage underscores the value of every human life, as the midwives' defiance of Pharaoh's order reflects a commitment to God's higher moral law. Fear of God Over Man The midwives' actions demonstrate the importance of fearing God more than human authorities, a principle that is applicable in situations where human laws conflict with divine commands. God's Sovereignty Despite human attempts to thwart His plans, God remains in control, ensuring the survival and growth of His people. Courage in Adversity The midwives' courage in the face of potential punishment serves as an example for believers to stand firm in their convictions. Faithfulness in Small Things The seemingly small act of preserving life had significant implications for the future of Israel, reminding us that our faithfulness in small tasks can have a large impact.(16) Upon the stools.--Literally, upon the two stones. It has been suggested that a seat corresponding to the modern hursee elwiladeh is meant. This is a "chair of a peculiar form," upon which in modern Egypt the woman is seated during parturition. (See Lane, Modern Egyptians, vol. iii. p. 142.) But it does not appear that this seat is composed of "two stones;" nor is there any distinct evidence of its employment at the time of child-birth in Ancient Egypt. The emendation of Hirsch--banim for abnaim, is very tempting. This will give the sense, "When ye look upon the children."Verse 16. - The stools. The explanation furnished by a remark of Mr. Lane ('Modem Egyptians,' vol. 3. p. 142) is more satisfactory than any other. In modern Egypt, he says, "two or three days before the expected time of delivery, the midwife conveys to the house the kursee elwiladeh, a chair of a peculiar form, upon which the patient is to be seated during the birth." A chair of the form intended is represented on the Egyptian monuments. Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew “When you help the Hebrewהָֽעִבְרִיּ֔וֹת (hā·‘iḇ·rî·yō·wṯ) Article | Noun - proper - feminine plural Strong's 5680: Hebrews -- perhaps descendant of Eber, also another name for an Israelite women give birth, בְּיַלֶּדְכֶן֙ (bə·yal·leḏ·ḵen) Preposition-b | Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct | second person feminine plural Strong's 3205: To bear young, to beget, medically, to act as midwife, to show lineage observe וּרְאִיתֶ֖ן (ū·rə·’î·ṯen) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person feminine plural Strong's 7200: To see them as עַל־ (‘al-) Preposition Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against they deliver. הָאָבְנָ֑יִם (hā·’ā·ḇə·nā·yim) Article | Noun - md Strong's 70: A pair of stones, a potter's wheel, a midwife's stool If אִם־ (’im-) Conjunction Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not [the child] הוּא֙ (hū) Pronoun - third person masculine singular Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are is a son, בֵּ֥ן (bên) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 1121: A son kill וַהֲמִתֶּ֣ן (wa·hă·mit·ten) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - second person feminine plural Strong's 4191: To die, to kill him; אֹת֔וֹ (’ō·ṯōw) Direct object marker | third person masculine singular Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case but if וְאִם־ (wə·’im-) Conjunctive waw | Conjunction Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not it is הִ֖יא (hî) Pronoun - third person feminine singular Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are a daughter, בַּ֥ת (baṯ) Noun - feminine singular Strong's 1323: A daughter let her live.” וָחָֽיָה׃ (wā·ḥā·yāh) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person feminine singular Strong's 2425: To live, to revive Links Exodus 1:16 NIVExodus 1:16 NLT Exodus 1:16 ESV Exodus 1:16 NASB Exodus 1:16 KJV Exodus 1:16 BibleApps.com Exodus 1:16 Biblia Paralela Exodus 1:16 Chinese Bible Exodus 1:16 French Bible Exodus 1:16 Catholic Bible OT Law: Exodus 1:16 And he said When you perform the (Exo. 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