Lexical Summary Puah: Puah Original Word: פוּעָה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Puah From an unused root meaning to glitter; brilliancy; Puah, an Israelitess -- Puah. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof uncertain derivation Definition an Isr. midwife NASB Translation Puah (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs מּוּעָה proper name, feminine a midwife Exodus 1:15, Φουα. Topical Lexicon Identity and Historical Setting Puah appears once in Scripture, in Exodus 1:15, where she is named alongside Shiphrah as a Hebrew midwife serving in Egypt during the period of Israel’s enslavement. Her brief mention is set at the outset of Israel’s national story, just before the birth of Moses, when Pharaoh attempted to curtail Israel’s growth by ordering the death of every newborn Hebrew boy. Role in the Narrative of Exodus Pharaoh’s command—“If the child is a son, kill him” (Exodus 1:16)—places Puah at a moral crossroads. Instead of complying, she and Shiphrah “feared God and did not do as the king of Egypt had told them; they let the boys live” (Exodus 1:17). Their decision preserves countless lives, including—indirectly—the life of Moses, the future deliverer of Israel. Puah thus stands at the dawn of the Exodus as an instrument through whom God keeps His covenant promise to make Abraham’s descendants into a great nation (Genesis 15:5; Genesis 46:3). Fear of God over Fear of Man Scripture explicitly states that the midwives’ courageous action flowed from reverence toward God (Exodus 1:17, 21). Their example anticipates later biblical affirmations that “the fear of man is a snare” (Proverbs 29:25) and that believers must “obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29). In a culture dominated by an absolute monarch, Puah demonstrates that divine authority outranks even the highest human authority whenever the two conflict. Divine Commendation and Reward “So God was good to the midwives… And because the midwives feared God, He gave them families of their own” (Exodus 1:20–21). The text records no punishment from Pharaoh, only favor from God. The blessing of “families” (literally “houses”) signifies both personal fruitfulness and lasting legacy. By honoring a woman who protected the vulnerable, Scripture affirms the sanctity of life and underscores God’s faithfulness to reward righteous risk-taking. Preservation of the Messianic Line Puah’s obedience helps safeguard the generation into which Moses is born (Exodus 2:1–10). Moses, in turn, becomes the mediator of the covenant at Sinai, through which the nation receives the Law, the priesthood, and the sacrificial system—all of which point forward to Jesus Christ (Hebrews 3:1–6; Hebrews 10:1). Without the survival of the Hebrew male infants, the redemptive storyline leading to the Messiah would have been humanly impossible. Puah’s momentary decision therefore carries far-reaching implications for the unfolding plan of salvation. Jewish and Early Christian Reflection Later Jewish tradition often identifies Puah with Miriam, Moses’ sister, or views her as a close relative of the Levitical family, highlighting the continuity of family-based resistance to Pharaoh (compare Exodus 2:4–8). Early Christian writers also cited the midwives to illustrate the triumph of faithful conscience over tyrannical edict. Though Scripture itself remains silent on her lineage, the very fact that her name is preserved suggests esteem within Israel’s collective memory. Theological Themes • Sanctity of Human Life – Puah’s defiance upholds the value of every image-bearing infant (Genesis 1:27). Applications for Ministry Today 1. Advocacy for the vulnerable: Puah models compassionate intervention for those without a voice. Key Passages for Meditation Exodus 1:15–21; Psalm 34:9; Proverbs 29:25; Acts 5:29; Hebrews 10:35–36 In just one recorded appearance, Puah leaves a testimony of fearless obedience, compassionate protection of life, and confident trust in the God who rewards those who seek Him. Forms and Transliterations פּוּעָֽה׃ פועה׃ pū‘āh pū·‘āh puAhLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Exodus 1:15 HEB: וְשֵׁ֥ם הַשֵּׁנִ֖ית פּוּעָֽה׃ NAS: and the other was named Puah; KJV: and the name of the other Puah: INT: was named and the other Puah |
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