Exodus 1:20

20 So God was kind to the midwives and the people increased and became even more numerous.

Exodus 1:20 in Other Translations

20 Therefore God dealt well with the midwives: and the people multiplied, and waxed very mighty.

20 So God dealt well with the midwives. And the people multiplied and grew very strong.

20 So God was good to the midwives, and the Israelites continued to multiply, growing more and more powerful.

20 God was pleased with the midwives. The people continued to increase in number - a very strong people.

20 And God dealt well with the midwives: and the people multiplied, and waxed very mighty.

20 God was good to the midwives. So the people increased in number and became very strong.

20 So God was good to the midwives, and the people multiplied and became very numerous.

20 So God was kind to Shiphrah and Puah. And the people of Israel increased their numbers more and more.

Exodus 1:20 Meaning and Commentary

Exodus 1:20

Wherefore God dealt well with the midwives
He approved of their conduct upon the whole, however difficult it may be to clear them from all blame in this matter; though some think that what they said was the truth, though they might not tell all the truth; yea, that they made a glorious confession of their faith in God, and plainly told the king, that it was nothing but the immediate hand of God that the Hebrew women were so lively and strong, and therefore were resolved not to oppose it, let him command what he would; so Dr. Lightfoot ^F18, who takes the midwives to be Egyptians:

and the people multiplied, and waxed very mighty;
became very numerous, and strong, and robust, being the offspring of such lively women.

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FOOTNOTES:

F18 Works, vol. 1. p. 700.

Exodus 1:20 In-Context

18 Then the king of Egypt summoned the midwives and asked them, “Why have you done this? Why have you let the boys live?”

19 The midwives answered Pharaoh, “Hebrew women are not like Egyptian women; they are vigorous and give birth before the midwives arrive.”

20 So God was kind to the midwives and the people increased and became even more numerous.

21 And because the midwives feared God, he gave them families of their own.

22 Then Pharaoh gave this order to all his people: “Every Hebrew boy that is born you must throw into the Nile, but let every girl live.”

Cross References

• 1. ver 12; Proverbs 11:18; Proverbs 22:8; Ecclesiastes 8:12; Isaiah 3:10; Hebrews 6:10