Exodus 1:19
New International Version
The midwives answered Pharaoh, “Hebrew women are not like Egyptian women; they are vigorous and give birth before the midwives arrive.”

New Living Translation
“The Hebrew women are not like the Egyptian women,” the midwives replied. “They are more vigorous and have their babies so quickly that we cannot get there in time.”

English Standard Version
The midwives said to Pharaoh, “Because the Hebrew women are not like the Egyptian women, for they are vigorous and give birth before the midwife comes to them.”

Berean Standard Bible
The midwives answered Pharaoh, “The Hebrew women are not like the Egyptian women, for they are vigorous and give birth before a midwife arrives.”

King James Bible
And the midwives said unto Pharaoh, Because the Hebrew women are not as the Egyptian women; for they are lively, and are delivered ere the midwives come in unto them.

New King James Version
And the midwives said to Pharaoh, “Because the Hebrew women are not like the Egyptian women; for they are lively and give birth before the midwives come to them.”

New American Standard Bible
The midwives said to Pharaoh, “Because the Hebrew women are not like the Egyptian women; for they are vigorous and give birth before the midwife can get to them.”

NASB 1995
The midwives said to Pharaoh, “Because the Hebrew women are not as the Egyptian women; for they are vigorous and give birth before the midwife can get to them.”

NASB 1977
And the midwives said to Pharaoh, “Because the Hebrew women are not as the Egyptian women; for they are vigorous, and they give birth before the midwife can get to them.”

Legacy Standard Bible
Then the midwives said to Pharaoh, “Because the Hebrew women are not as the Egyptian women; for they are vigorous and give birth before the midwife can come to them.”

Amplified Bible
The midwives answered Pharaoh, “Because the Hebrew women are not like the Egyptian women; they are vigorous and give birth quickly and their babies are born before the midwife can get to them.”

Christian Standard Bible
The midwives said to Pharaoh, “The Hebrew women are not like the Egyptian women, for they are vigorous and give birth before the midwife can get to them.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The midwives said to Pharaoh, “The Hebrew women are not like the Egyptian women, for they are vigorous and give birth before a midwife can get to them.”

American Standard Version
And 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.

Contemporary English Version
They answered, "Hebrew women have their babies much quicker than Egyptian women. By the time we arrive, their babies are already born."

English Revised Version
And 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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The midwives answered Pharaoh, "Hebrew women are not like Egyptian women. They are so healthy that they have their babies before a midwife arrives."

Good News Translation
They answered, "The Hebrew women are not like Egyptian women; they give birth easily, and their babies are born before either of us gets there."

International Standard Version
"Hebrew women aren't like Egyptian women," the midwives replied to Pharaoh. "They're so healthy that they give birth before the midwives arrive to help them."

Majority Standard Bible
The midwives answered Pharaoh, “The Hebrew women are not like the Egyptian women, for they are vigorous and give birth before a midwife arrives.”

NET Bible
The midwives said to Pharaoh, "Because the Hebrew women are not like the Egyptian women--for the Hebrew women are vigorous; they give birth before the midwife gets to them!"

New Heart English Bible
The midwives said to Pharaoh, "Because the Hebrew women aren't like the Egyptian women; for they are vigorous, and give birth before the midwife comes to them."

Webster's Bible Translation
And the midwives said to Pharaoh, Because the Hebrew women are not as the Egyptian women: for they are lively, and are delivered ere the midwives come in to them.

World English Bible
The midwives said to Pharaoh, “Because the Hebrew women aren’t like the Egyptian women; for they are vigorous and give birth before the midwife comes to them.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And the midwives say to Pharaoh, “Because the Hebrew women [are] not as the Egyptian women, for they [are] lively; before the midwife comes to them—they have borne!”

Young's Literal Translation
And the midwives say unto Pharaoh, 'Because the Hebrew women are not as the Egyptian women, for they are lively; before the midwife cometh in unto them -- they have borne!'

Smith's Literal Translation
And the midwives will say to Pharaoh, That the Hebrewesses are not as the Egyptian women, for they giving life before the midwives shall come in to them, and they will bring forth.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
They answered: The Hebrew women are not as the Egyptian women: for they themselves are skillful in the office of a midwife; and they are delivered before we come to them.

Catholic Public Domain Version
They responded: “The Hebrew women are not like the Egyptian women. For they themselves have the wisdom of a midwife, and so they give birth before we can come to them.”

New American Bible
The midwives answered Pharaoh, “The Hebrew women are not like the Egyptian women. They are robust and give birth before the midwife arrives.”

New Revised Standard Version
The midwives said to Pharaoh, “Because the Hebrew women are not like the Egyptian women; for they are vigorous and give birth before the midwife comes to them.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And the midwives said to Pharaoh, The Hebrew women are not like the Egyptian women; for they themselves are midwives, and are delivered before a midwife comes in to them.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the Midwives said to Pharaoh, “The Hebrews are not like the Egyptian women, because they are Midwives, and when the Midwives are not near them, they give birth.”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And 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.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the midwives said to Pharao, The Hebrew women are not as the women of Egypt, for they are delivered before the midwives go in to them. So they bore children.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Oppression by a New King
18So the king of Egypt summoned the midwives and asked them, “Why have you done this? Why have you let the boys live?” 19The midwives answered Pharaoh, “The Hebrew women are not like the Egyptian women, for they are vigorous and give birth before a midwife arrives.” 20So God was good to the midwives, and the people multiplied and became even more numerous.…

Cross References
Acts 5:29
But Peter and the other apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than men.

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.

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.

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.

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 2:13-14
Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to the king as the supreme authority, / or to governors as those sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to praise those who do right.

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.”

Daniel 6:10
Now when Daniel learned that the document had been signed, he went into his house, where the windows of his upper room opened toward Jerusalem, and three times a day he got down on his knees, prayed, and gave thanks to his God, just as he had done before.

Joshua 2:4-6
But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them. So she said, “Yes, the men did come to me, but I did not know where they had come from. / At dusk, when the gate was about to close, the men went out, and I do not know which way they went. Pursue them quickly, and you may catch them!” / (But Rahab had taken them up to the roof and hidden them among the stalks of flax that she had laid out there.)

1 Samuel 21:2
“The king has given me a mission,” David replied. “He told me no one is to know about the mission on which I am sending you. And I have directed my young men to meet me at a certain place.

2 Kings 8:10
Elisha answered, “Go and tell him, ‘You will surely recover.’ But the LORD has shown me that in fact he will die.”

2 Kings 5:25
When Gehazi went in and stood before his master, Elisha asked him, “Gehazi, where have you been?” “Your servant did not go anywhere,” he replied.

1 Kings 18:4
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.)

1 Kings 22:13-14
Then the messenger who had gone to call Micaiah instructed him, “Behold now, with one accord the words of the prophets are favorable to the king. So please let your words be like theirs, and speak favorably.” / But Micaiah said, “As surely as the LORD lives, I will speak whatever the LORD tells me.”

Jeremiah 38:27
When all the officials came to Jeremiah and questioned him, he relayed to them the exact words the king had commanded him to say. So they said no more to him, for no one had overheard the conversation.


Treasury of Scripture

And the midwives said to Pharaoh, Because the Hebrew women are not as the Egyptian women; for they are lively, and are delivered ere the midwives come in to them.

Joshua 2:4
And the woman took the two men, and hid them, and said thus, There came men unto me, but I wist not whence they were:

1 Samuel 21:2
And David said unto Ahimelech the priest, The king hath commanded me a business, and hath said unto me, Let no man know any thing of the business whereabout I send thee, and what I have commanded thee: and I have appointed my servants to such and such a place.

2 Samuel 17:19,20
And the woman took and spread a covering over the well's mouth, and spread ground corn thereon; and the thing was not known…

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Arrive Birth Delivered Egyptian Ere Hebrew Lively Midwife Midwives Pharaoh Strong Vigorous Women
Exodus 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 answered Pharaoh
This phrase introduces the response of the Hebrew midwives to Pharaoh, the ruler of Egypt. The midwives, Shiphrah and Puah, are named earlier in the chapter and are tasked with a morally challenging situation. The Hebrew word for "midwives" is "מְיַלְּדֹת" (meyalledot), which signifies their role as life-givers and caretakers in the community. Their courage to speak to Pharaoh, a figure of immense power, highlights their faith and moral conviction. Historically, Pharaohs were considered divine or semi-divine figures, making this interaction even more significant. The midwives' response is a testament to their fear of God over the fear of man, a recurring theme in Scripture that encourages believers to prioritize divine commands over human authority.

Hebrew women are not like the Egyptian women
This phrase draws a distinction between the Hebrew and Egyptian women, emphasizing the vitality and resilience of the Hebrew women. The Hebrew word for "Hebrew" is "עִבְרִיּוֹת" (ivriyot), which connects to the identity of the Israelites as God's chosen people. The midwives' statement may reflect a cultural perception or stereotype of the time, but it also serves as a strategic response to Pharaoh's command. By highlighting the differences, the midwives cleverly avoid directly disobeying Pharaoh while protecting the Hebrew infants. This phrase underscores the theme of God's providence and protection over His people, as He equips them with wisdom to navigate oppressive circumstances.

for they are vigorous and give birth before the midwives arrive
The word "vigorous" is translated from the Hebrew "חָיוֹת" (chayot), which can mean lively or robust. This description of the Hebrew women suggests a supernatural strength and vitality, possibly implying divine intervention in preserving the Hebrew children. The phrase "give birth before the midwives arrive" indicates the quickness and ease of the births, which could be seen as a miraculous occurrence orchestrated by God to thwart Pharaoh's plans. This part of the verse highlights God's sovereignty and His ability to protect and sustain His people even in the face of systemic oppression. It serves as an inspiration for believers to trust in God's timing and provision, knowing that He is always at work behind the scenes to fulfill His purposes.

(19) The Hebrew women are not as the Egyptian women.--This was probably true; but it was not the whole truth. Though the midwives had the courage to disobey the king, they had not "the courage of their convictions," and were afraid to confess their real motive. So they took refuge in a half truth, and pretended that what really occurred in some cases only was a general occurrence. It is a fact, that in the East parturition is often so short a process that the attendance of a midwife is dispensed with.

Verse 19. - They are vigorous. Literally, "they are lively." In the East at the present day a large proportion of the women deliver themselves; and the services of professional accoucheurs are very rarely called in. The excuse of the midwives had thus a basis of fact to rest upon, and was only untrue because it was not the whole truth.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
The midwives
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

answered
וַתֹּאמַ֤רְןָ (wat·tō·mar·nā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine plural
Strong's 559: To utter, say

Pharaoh,
פַּרְעֹ֔ה (par·‘ōh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 6547: Pharaoh -- a title of Egypt kings

“The Hebrew women
הָֽעִבְרִיֹּ֑ת (hā·‘iḇ·rî·yōṯ)
Article | Noun - proper - feminine plural
Strong's 5680: Hebrews -- perhaps descendant of Eber, also another name for an Israelite

are not
לֹ֧א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

like the Egyptian
הַמִּצְרִיֹּ֖ת (ham·miṣ·rî·yōṯ)
Article | Noun - proper - feminine plural
Strong's 4713: Egyptian -- inhabitant of Egypt

women,
כַנָּשִׁ֛ים (ḵan·nā·šîm)
Preposition-k, Article | Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 802: Woman, wife, female

for
כִּ֣י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

they
הֵ֔נָּה (hên·nāh)
Pronoun - third person feminine plural
Strong's 2007: Themselves

are vigorous
חָי֣וֹת (ḥā·yō·wṯ)
Adjective - feminine plural
Strong's 2422: Community

and give birth
הַמְיַלֶּ֖דֶת (ham·yal·le·ḏeṯ)
Article | Verb - Piel - Participle - feminine singular
Strong's 3205: To bear young, to beget, medically, to act as midwife, to show lineage

before
בְּטֶ֨רֶם (bə·ṭe·rem)
Preposition-b | Adverb
Strong's 2962: Non-occurrence, not yet, before

a midwife
וְיָלָֽדוּ׃ (wə·yā·lā·ḏū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 3205: To bear young, to beget, medically, to act as midwife, to show lineage

arrives.”
תָּב֧וֹא (tā·ḇō·w)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go


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OT Law: Exodus 1:19 The midwives said to Pharaoh Because (Exo. Ex)
Exodus 1:18
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