Topical Bible: Children: Edict to Murder of Pharaoh

◄ Children: Edict to Murder of Pharaoh ►

Jump to: Nave's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

The biblical account of Pharaoh's edict to murder Hebrew children is a significant event in the history of Israel, illustrating the oppression faced by the Israelites in Egypt and setting the stage for the birth and deliverance of Moses. This event is recorded in the Book of Exodus, which details the Israelites' enslavement and God's subsequent intervention to liberate His people.

Background and Context

The Israelites had settled in Egypt during the time of Joseph, who had risen to a position of power under a previous Pharaoh. Over time, the Israelites multiplied and became numerous, which caused concern for a new Pharaoh who "did not know Joseph" (Exodus 1:8). Fearing that the Israelites might join Egypt's enemies in the event of war, Pharaoh sought to suppress them through harsh labor and oppression.

Pharaoh's Edict

Despite the oppressive measures, the Israelites continued to grow in number. In response, Pharaoh issued a more drastic and cruel edict aimed at curbing the Hebrew population. He commanded the Hebrew midwives, Shiphrah and Puah, to kill all newborn Hebrew boys during childbirth. However, the midwives feared God and did not comply with Pharaoh's orders, allowing the boys to live (Exodus 1:15-17).

When Pharaoh realized that his initial plan was not being executed, he escalated his efforts by commanding all his people: "Every son that is born to the Hebrews you must throw into the Nile, but let every daughter live" (Exodus 1:22). This decree was a direct attack on the future of the Israelite nation, as it sought to eliminate the male population and thereby weaken the Israelites' ability to resist or rebel.

The Birth of Moses

Amidst this backdrop of fear and oppression, a Levite woman named Jochebed gave birth to a son. Recognizing the beauty and potential of her child, she hid him for three months to protect him from Pharaoh's decree. When she could no longer conceal him, she placed him in a papyrus basket coated with tar and pitch and set it among the reeds along the bank of the Nile (Exodus 2:2-3).

In a providential turn of events, Pharaoh's daughter discovered the basket while bathing in the Nile. Moved with compassion, she decided to adopt the child, whom she named Moses, meaning "drawn out of the water" (Exodus 2:10). Moses' sister, Miriam, who had been watching from a distance, offered to find a Hebrew woman to nurse the child, and thus Moses' own mother was able to care for him during his early years.

Significance

Pharaoh's edict to murder Hebrew children highlights the severity of the Israelites' plight in Egypt and the lengths to which the Egyptian ruler would go to maintain control. It also underscores the faith and courage of individuals like the Hebrew midwives and Jochebed, who defied the king's orders out of reverence for God. This narrative sets the stage for God's deliverance of His people through Moses, who would grow up to become the leader and prophet chosen to lead the Israelites out of bondage and toward the Promised Land.

Nave's Topical Index

Exodus 1:22
And Pharaoh charged all his people, saying, Every son that is born you shall cast into the river, and every daughter you shall save alive.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

"In the Volume of the Book it is Written of Me" (Heb. . .
... we know from the Scripture record, no human eye witnessed the dastardly murder of
Abel ... Fourth, in this edict of slaying the young children in Bethlehem ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the antichrist/in the volume of the.htm

Exposition of the Moral Law.
... go well with thee, and with thy children after thee ... Should a king issue an edict
prohibiting murder, adultery ... prohibited under the name of murder, we understand ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 8 exposition of the.htm

Of Civil Government.
... There may be a country which, if murder were not ... to spare as the weaker vessels;
would children be less ... for having too readily obeyed the impious edict of the ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 20 of civil government.htm

An Analysis of Augustin's Writings against the Donatists.
... are types; so the mother Church corrects her children. ... good; it is the difference
between Pharaoh and Moses ... The very edict of confiscation which had hit them ...
/.../chapter ii name analysis of.htm

The Reaction against Egypt
... length decided to pro-mulgate a very severe edict against the ... they had ventured to
oppose the Pharaoh's troops, were ... figures there among the children of Seti I ...
/.../chapter iithe reaction against egypt.htm

The Iranian Conquest
... bloodthirsty tyrants, who incites men to theft and murder; Naongaithya, arrogance
and ... The children of Angro-mainyus disguised themselves under those monstrous ...
/.../chapter ithe iranian conquest.htm