Book of Exodus - Chapter 1 - Verse 16

Exodus 1:16 describes a time when the Hebrew population in Egypt was growing rapidly, which made the Egyptians fearful of their strength. In an attempt to control the Hebrew population, the Pharaoh ordered the Hebrew midwives to kill all male babies as they were born. This command was a cruel and inhumane act of genocide, aimed at preventing the Hebrew population from becoming too powerful. The midwives, however, feared God and did not obey the Pharaoh's orders. Instead, they let the male babies live, which demonstrates their courage and faithfulness to God. This verse serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of standing up against injustice and following God's will, even in the face of danger and oppression.

In this verse, we find a difficult and troubling command given by the Egyptian Pharaoh to the Hebrew midwives. The phrase "do the office of a midwife" in the original Hebrew text can also be translated as "help the Hebrew women in childbirth." The word study of the term "midwife" reveals that these women were entrusted with the crucial task of assisting other women during childbirth. The command to kill the Hebrew baby boys is a horrifying example of the cruel and oppressive nature of Pharaoh's rule over the Israelites. However, the midwives' fear of God led them to disobey this decree and let the male babies live. The word study of "fear of God" suggests a reverence and obedience to the divine will, which motivated the midwives to act bravely in the face of great danger. This verse serves as a reminder of the power of faith and obedience to God, even in the most challenging circumstances.