Topical Bible: Egypt: Israel in Male Children Destroyed

◄ Egypt: Israel in Male Children Destroyed ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

The narrative of the destruction of Israelite male children in Egypt is a pivotal event in the history of the Israelites, marking a period of intense suffering and divine intervention. This event is primarily recorded in the Book of Exodus, which details the oppression of the Israelites under Egyptian rule and sets the stage for their eventual deliverance.

Historical Context

The Israelites had settled in Egypt during a time of famine, as recounted in Genesis, when Joseph, one of Jacob's sons, rose to prominence in the Egyptian government. Over time, the Israelites multiplied and prospered in the land of Goshen. However, a new pharaoh, who did not know Joseph, ascended to power and perceived the growing Israelite population as a threat to national security (Exodus 1:8-10).

Pharaoh's Decree

In response to this perceived threat, Pharaoh implemented a series of oppressive measures aimed at curbing the growth of the Israelite population. Initially, the Israelites were subjected to harsh labor, building the store cities of Pithom and Rameses (Exodus 1:11). Despite the oppression, the Israelites continued to multiply, prompting Pharaoh to escalate his efforts.

Pharaoh then commanded the Hebrew midwives, Shiphrah and Puah, to kill all newborn Hebrew males at birth. However, the midwives feared God and defied the king's orders, allowing the boys to live (Exodus 1:15-17). When questioned by Pharaoh, the midwives explained that Hebrew women were vigorous and gave birth before the midwives could arrive (Exodus 1:19). God blessed the midwives for their faithfulness, and the Israelite population continued to grow (Exodus 1:20-21).

The Edict to Cast into the Nile

Frustrated by the failure of his initial plan, Pharaoh issued a more drastic decree: "Every son born to the Hebrews you must throw into the Nile, but every daughter you may allow to live" (Exodus 1:22). This edict was a direct attack on the future of the Israelite nation, aiming to eradicate the male population and assimilate the females into Egyptian society.

Moses' Birth and Preservation

Amidst this backdrop of persecution, the birth of Moses is a testament to divine providence. Moses' parents, Amram and Jochebed, defied Pharaoh's edict by hiding their son for three months. When they could no longer conceal him, Jochebed placed Moses in a papyrus basket and set it among the reeds along the bank of the Nile (Exodus 2:3).

In a remarkable turn of events, Pharaoh's daughter discovered the basket and, moved with compassion, decided to adopt the child. Moses' sister, Miriam, who had been watching from a distance, offered to find a Hebrew woman to nurse the child, thus reuniting Moses with his biological mother during his early years (Exodus 2:5-9).

Theological Significance

The destruction of the male children in Egypt is a profound example of the spiritual warfare faced by God's people throughout history. It highlights the enmity between the seed of the woman and the seed of the serpent, as foretold in Genesis 3:15. Pharaoh's attempt to annihilate the Israelite males can be seen as an effort to thwart God's redemptive plan, which ultimately culminates in the coming of the Messiah.

Moreover, the preservation of Moses serves as a foreshadowing of God's deliverance. Just as Moses was saved to lead his people out of bondage, so too would Christ come to deliver humanity from the bondage of sin. The faith and courage of individuals like the Hebrew midwives and Moses' family underscore the importance of trusting in God's sovereignty and protection, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Exodus 1:15-22
And the king of Egypt spoke to the Hebrew midwives, of which the name of the one was Shiphrah, and the name of the other Puah:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Prosperity under Persecution
... Had Moses gone to the children of Israel before the ... not been a pitiless edict that
the male children should be ... would lead forth the slaves of Egypt to become a ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/prosperity under persecution.htm

The Fourth vision "In Heaven"
... The second great attempt was made in Exodus 1.to destroy the male children of Israel
at their ... of the people, so that they might not get up out of Egypt. ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the fourth vision in heaven.htm

Egypt
... by destroying as many as possible of the male children of the Hebrews. ... Such were
the Egyptians and such was Egypt where the childhood of Israel was passed. ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter v egypt.htm

St. Paul's Wish to be Accursed from Christ.
... Egypt is said, at a particular period, to have ... then expected to arise in
Israel"therefore the edict for thy destruction of the male children which should ...
/.../lee/sermons on various important subjects/sermon ix st pauls wish.htm

The Flight into Egypt and St. John the Baptist in the Desert
... When the children of Israel were in Egypt, the Egyptian ... time I came over the sea
to Egypt, and found ... to bring before the authorities their male children up to ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/xvi the flight into egypt.htm

The Testament of Joseph Concerning Sobriety.
... And I prayed unto the Lord, and she bare a male child; therefore for a time she
embraced me as a son ... And all Israel bewailed him, and all Egypt, with a ...
/.../xi the testament of joseph concerning.htm

Hebrews xi. 20-22
... the departing of the children of Israel, and gave ... great philosophy, who spent his
whole life in Egypt. ... Pharaoh gave orders that all the male children should be ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily xxvi hebrews xi 20-22.htm

The Reaction against Egypt
... court intrigue, or he may have had no male heir to ... in those provinces which the Khati
had failed to take from Egypt. ... figures there among the children of Seti I ...
/.../chapter iithe reaction against egypt.htm

The Nations of the South-East
... conquest was very thorough, all the male population being ... in the old poetry of Israel
Yahveh was ... with hospitality a political fugitive from Egypt; he married ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter iii the nations of.htm

Political and Religious Life of the Jewish Dispersion in the West ...
... there were at least ten Batlanim - male householders who had ... would far outstrip in
marvellousness that from Egypt. ... had been decisive in the history of Israel. ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter vi political and religious.htm