Exodus 1:16
And he said, When ye do the office of a midwife to the Hebrew women, and see them upon the stools; if it be a son, then ye shall kill him: but if it be a daughter, then she shall live.
Original Language Analysis
בְּיַלֶּדְכֶן֙
When ye do the office of a midwife
H3205
בְּיַלֶּדְכֶן֙
When ye do the office of a midwife
Strong's:
H3205
Word #:
2 of 16
to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
3 of 16
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הָֽעִבְרִיּ֔וֹת
to the Hebrew women
H5680
הָֽעִבְרִיּ֔וֹת
to the Hebrew women
Strong's:
H5680
Word #:
4 of 16
an eberite (i.e., hebrew) or descendant of eber
וּרְאִיתֶ֖ן
and see
H7200
וּרְאִיתֶ֖ן
and see
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
5 of 16
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
6 of 16
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
הָֽאָבְנָ֑יִם
them upon the stools
H70
הָֽאָבְנָ֑יִם
them upon the stools
Strong's:
H70
Word #:
7 of 16
a pair of stones (only dual); a potter's wheel or a midwife's stool (consisting alike of two horizontal disks with a support between)
אִם
H518
אִם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
8 of 16
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
בֵּ֥ן
if it be a son
H1121
בֵּ֥ן
if it be a son
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
9 of 16
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
הוּא֙
H1931
הוּא֙
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
10 of 16
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
וַֽהֲמִתֶּ֣ן
then ye shall kill
H4191
וַֽהֲמִתֶּ֣ן
then ye shall kill
Strong's:
H4191
Word #:
11 of 16
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
אֹת֔וֹ
H853
אֹת֔וֹ
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
12 of 16
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וְאִם
H518
וְאִם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
13 of 16
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
בַּ֥ת
him but if it be a daughter
H1323
בַּ֥ת
him but if it be a daughter
Strong's:
H1323
Word #:
14 of 16
a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)
Historical Context
Birth stools (Hebrew ovnayim, dual form suggesting two bricks/stones for each foot) are depicted in Egyptian tomb reliefs. Female infanticide was rare in the ancient world; male infanticide served military and political purposes. This genocide sets up Moses' miraculous preservation as providentially ordained.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Pharaoh's attack on Hebrew boys illuminate Satan's ongoing war against God's redemptive purposes?
- What does this passage teach about the value God places on every human life, even when powerful forces seek destruction?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And he said, When ye do the office of a midwife to the Hebrew women, and see them upon the stools; if it be a son, then ye shall kill him: but if it be a daughter, then she shall live—Upon the stools (עַל־הָאָבְנָיִם, al-ha'ovnayim, lit. "upon the stones/bricks") refers to the birthing stool, a seat with an opening used in ancient deliveries. The selective infanticide of males reflects Pharaoh's dual strategy: eliminate future warriors while preserving females who could be absorbed into Egyptian population. This satanic attack on the seed recalls Genesis 3:15's promise and anticipates Herod's slaughter (Matthew 2:16). God will preserve His deliverer (Moses) through ironic means—Pharaoh's own household (2:5-10).