Exodus 1:15
And the king of Egypt spake to the Hebrew midwives, of which the name of the one was Shiphrah, and the name of the other Puah:
Original Language Analysis
לַֽמְיַלְּדֹ֖ת
midwives
H3205
לַֽמְיַלְּדֹ֖ת
midwives
Strong's:
H3205
Word #:
4 of 12
to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage
הָֽעִבְרִיֹּ֑ת
to the Hebrew
H5680
הָֽעִבְרִיֹּ֑ת
to the Hebrew
Strong's:
H5680
Word #:
5 of 12
an eberite (i.e., hebrew) or descendant of eber
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
6 of 12
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
וְשֵׁ֥ם
and the name
H8034
וְשֵׁ֥ם
and the name
Strong's:
H8034
Word #:
7 of 12
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
הָֽאַחַת֙
of the one
H259
הָֽאַחַת֙
of the one
Strong's:
H259
Word #:
8 of 12
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
וְשֵׁ֥ם
and the name
H8034
וְשֵׁ֥ם
and the name
Strong's:
H8034
Word #:
10 of 12
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern midwives were respected professionals. That Pharaoh approaches Hebrew midwives suggests either Egyptian midwives refused the order or that Hebrew women birthed so quickly that only Hebrew midwives attended (v. 19). The personal names indicate historical reminiscence, not fictional narrative.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's honoring of Shiphrah and Puah encourage you when faithfulness seems unnoticed by the world?
- In what ways are you called to resist unjust commands, even at personal risk?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And the king of Egypt spake to the Hebrew midwives, of which the name of the one was Shiphrah, and the name of the other Puah (שִׁפְרָה וּפוּעָה, Shifrah uFu'ah)—Pharaoh's genocidal escalation targets male infants. Shiphrah (שִׁפְרָה, "beauty/splendor") and Puah (פּוּעָה, possibly "splendid" or related to a birth cry) are named, honoring their courage. Whether these are two individuals supervising many midwives or representing the Hebrew midwifery guild, their names are preserved in Scripture while Pharaoh remains anonymous—a reversal of worldly honor. God remembers the faithful by name (v. 21). This begins the Exodus theme of women as deliverers (Miriam, Jochebed, Pharaoh's daughter, Zipporah).