What does Exodus 1:17 reveal about the value of life in biblical times? Canonical Text “The midwives, however, feared God and did not do as the king of Egypt had told them; they let the boys live.” — Exodus 1:17 Historical Setting and Chronology Pharaoh’s decree (Exodus 1:16) belongs to the early Eighteenth Dynasty, c. 1660–1526 BC on a conservative Ussher-based timeline. Archaeological strata at Tell el-Dabʿa (Avaris) reveal a sudden influx of Northwest Semitic housing styles and burial customs that correlate with Joseph’s family settling in Goshen (Genesis 47:11). The Brooklyn Papyrus (13th cent. BC) lists scores of Semitic female house-servants, corroborating a population of Hebrew‐speaking women in Egypt capable of serving as midwives. Fear of God vs. Edict of Man The phrase “feared God” (יִרְא֣וּ הָֽאֱלֹהִים, yirʾū hāʾĕlōhîm) depicts moral allegiance to the Creator above civil authority. Scripture consistently places the divine command in the highest tier of obligation (Acts 5:29). By defying Pharaoh, Shiphrah and Puah establish the earliest recorded instance of civil disobedience undertaken to preserve innocent life, foreshadowing Daniel’s stand (Daniel 1:8) and the apostles’ refusal to cease preaching (Acts 4:19–20). Sanctity of Life in the Pentateuchal Framework 1. Imago Dei: Humanity made “in Our image” (Genesis 1:26–27) invests every person with intrinsic worth. 2. Post-Flood Mandate: “Whoever sheds man’s blood, by man his blood shall be shed, for in the image of God He made man” (Genesis 9:6). 3. Decalogue: “You shall not murder” (Exodus 20:13) codifies the sanctity revealed in Exodus 1:17. 4. Fetal Protection: Exodus 21:22–25 penalizes violence leading to premature birth or harm, confirming personhood pre-natally. Contrast with Contemporary Near-Eastern Codes Hammurabi §53–§56 treats lower-class infants primarily as property reparations. Egyptian wisdom texts (e.g., “Instruction of Amenemope”) commend kindness yet lack explicit protection for unborn or newborn Hebrews. Exodus stands alone in grounding value in the fear of the one true God rather than socioeconomic utility. Midwives as Theological Prototypes These women, named in the inspired text while Pharaoh remains anonymous, exemplify: • The primacy of conscience informed by revelation. • God’s pattern of using the humble to confound the mighty (1 Corinthians 1:27). • Providential preservation leading to the birth of the deliverer Moses, typologically pointing to Christ’s preservation from Herod (Matthew 2:13–16). Life-Affirming Trajectory through Scripture • OT: Repeated stress on protecting the vulnerable: orphan, widow, stranger (Deuteronomy 10:18; Psalm 82:3). • Gospels: Jesus blesses infants (Luke 18:15–17), heals congenital conditions (John 9), and identifies Himself as “the life” (John 14:6). • Epistles: The church becomes a community of life, rescuing exposed infants in Rome (Justin Martyr, Apol. I. 27). Early Christian and Rabbinic Witness The Didache 2:2 forbids “pharmakeia and child murder,” echoing the midwives’ ethic. Mishnah Ohalot 7:6 prioritizes maternal life in childbirth emergencies, reflecting developed Jewish reverence for life rooted in the Torah narrative. Archaeological Corroboration of Infant Preservation New Kingdom household birth-brick scenes (Ostracon Louvre E 17786) depict women safely delivering infants under divine symbols (e.g., Taweret). While pagan, they show cultural anxiety about infant survival, highlighting the countercultural heroism of preserving enemy infants. Practical Ethical Implications Today 1. Supports pro-life advocacy for unborn and newborn. 2. Validates conscientious objection when state mandates violate divine commands. 3. Encourages honoring and supporting medical professionals who protect life. Conclusion Exodus 1:17 unveils an early, divinely endorsed ethic that every human life—especially the most vulnerable—possesses immeasurable worth. Rooted in the fear of God, championed by courageous midwives, and preserved flawlessly in Scripture, this single verse speaks across millennia, calling humanity to cherish and safeguard life as a sacred trust from the Creator. |
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