Exodus 1:20

20 And God did the midwives good, and the [Israelite] people became many and were very numerous.

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 And the king of Egypt summoned the midwives, and he said to them, "Why have you done this thing and let the boys live?"

19 And the midwives said to Pharaoh, "Because the Hebrew [women are] not like the Egyptian women, because they [are] vigorous; before the midwife comes to them, they have given birth."

20 And God did the midwives good, and the [Israelite] people became many and were very numerous.

21 {And so} because the midwives feared God, he gave them {families}.

22 And Pharaoh commanded all his people, saying, "Every son who is born you will throw into the Nile, and every daughter you will let live."