Exodus 1:21
Exodus 1:21 in Multiple Translations
And because the midwives feared God, He gave them families of their own.
And it came to pass, because the midwives feared God, that he made them houses.
And it came to pass, because the midwives feared God, that he made them households.
And because the women who took care of the Hebrew mothers had the fear of God, he gave them families.
Because the midwives revered God, he gave them families of their own.
And because ye midwiues feared God, therefore he made them houses.
and it cometh to pass, because the midwives have feared God, that He maketh for them households;
Because the midwives feared God, he gave them families.
And it came to pass, because the midwives feared God, that he made them houses.
And because the midwives feared God, he built them houses.
Furthermore, because the midwives feared/revered God, he enabled them also to give birth to children.
Berean Amplified Bible — Exodus 1:21
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Exodus 1:21 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יְהִ֕י
כִּֽי
יָֽרְא֥וּ
הַֽ/מְיַלְּדֹ֖ת
אֶת
הָ/אֱלֹהִ֑ים
וַ/יַּ֥עַשׂ
לָ/הֶ֖ם
בָּתִּֽים
וַ/יְהִ֕י
hâyâh
H1961
to be
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
כִּֽי
kîy
H3588
for
Conj
יָֽרְא֥וּ
yârêʼ
H3372
to fear
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
הַֽ/מְיַלְּדֹ֖ת
yâlad
H3205
to beget
Art | V-Piel
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM
הָ/אֱלֹהִ֑ים
ʼĕlôhîym
H430
God
Art | N-mp
וַ/יַּ֥עַשׂ
ʻâsâh
H6213
to make
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
לָ/הֶ֖ם
Prep | Suff
בָּתִּֽים
bayith
H1004
place
N-mp
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
Use ← → arrow keys to navigate between words.
Hebrew Word Reference — Exodus 1:21
וַ/יְהִ֕י
hâyâh
H1961
"to be"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.
כִּֽי
kîy
H3588
"for"
Conj
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.
יָֽרְא֥וּ
yârêʼ
H3372
"to fear"
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
This Hebrew word means to fear or revere, and is used to describe being afraid or standing in awe of something, like God's power. It appears in the Bible to convey a sense of respect or reverence. In the KJV, it's translated as 'affright' or 'reverence'.
Definition: : frightening(DANGER) 1) to fear, revere, be afraid 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to fear, be afraid 1a2) to stand in awe of, be awed 1a3) to fear, reverence, honour, respect 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be fearful, be dreadful, be feared 1b2) to cause astonishment and awe, be held in awe 1b3) to inspire reverence or godly fear or awe 1c) (Piel) to make afraid, terrify 2) (TWOT) to shoot, pour
Usage: Occurs in 318 OT verses. KJV: affright, be (make) afraid, dread(-ful), (put in) fear(-ful, -fully, -ing), (be had in) reverence(-end), [idiom] see, terrible (act, -ness, thing). See also: Genesis 3:10; 1 Samuel 12:18; Psalms 3:7.
הַֽ/מְיַלְּדֹ֖ת
yâlad
H3205
"to beget"
Art | V-Piel
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to give birth or beget a child, like when Eve gave birth to Cain in Genesis 4:1. It can also mean to help someone give birth, like a midwife. This word is used in many KJV translations, including Genesis and Isaiah.
Definition: 1) to bear, bringforth, beget, gender, travail 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to bear, bring forth 1a1a) of child birth 1a1b) of distress (simile) 1a1c) of wicked (behaviour) 1a2) to beget 1b) (Niphal) to be born 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to cause or help to bring forth 1c2) to assist or tend as a midwife 1c3) midwife (participle) 1d) (Pual) to be born 1e) (Hiphil) 1e1) to beget (a child) 1e2) to bear (fig. -of wicked bringing forth iniquity) 1f) (Hophal) day of birth, birthday (infinitive) 1g) (Hithpael) to declare one's birth (pedigree)
Usage: Occurs in 403 OT verses. KJV: bear, beget, birth(-day), born, (make to) bring forth (children, young), bring up, calve, child, come, be delivered (of a child), time of delivery, gender, hatch, labour, (do the office of a) midwife, declare pedigrees, be the son of, (woman in, woman that) travail(-eth, -ing woman). See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 30:19; 2 Samuel 21:22.
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
הָ/אֱלֹהִ֑ים
ʼĕlôhîym
H430
"God"
Art | N-mp
The Hebrew word for God, elohim, refers to the one supreme God, and is sometimes used to show respect to judges or magistrates. It is also used to describe angels or mighty beings. This word is closely related to the name of the Lord, Yahweh, and is often translated as God or gods in the Bible.
Definition: This name means "gods" (plural intensive-singular meaning), "God" Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)
Usage: Occurs in 2246 OT verses. KJV: angels, [idiom] exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), [idiom] (very) great, judges, [idiom] mighty. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 22:12; Exodus 3:11.
וַ/יַּ֥עַשׂ
ʻâsâh
H6213
"to make"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
This verb means to make or do something, and is used over 2,600 times in the Bible. It is first used in Genesis 1:7 to describe God's creation of the world and is also used in Exodus 31:5 to describe the work of skilled craftsmen.
Definition: : make(OBJECT) 1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to do, work, make, produce 1a1a) to do 1a1b) to work 1a1c) to deal (with) 1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect 1a2) to make 1a2a) to make 1a2b) to produce 1a2c) to prepare 1a2d) to make (an offering) 1a2e) to attend to, put in order 1a2f) to observe, celebrate 1a2g) to acquire (property) 1a2h) to appoint, ordain, institute 1a2i) to bring about 1a2j) to use 1a2k) to spend, pass 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be done 1b2) to be made 1b3) to be produced 1b4) to be offered 1b5) to be observed 1b6) to be used 1c) (Pual) to be made
Usage: Occurs in 2286 OT verses. KJV: accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 34:19; Exodus 18:24.
לָ/הֶ֖ם
""
Prep | Suff
בָּתִּֽים
bayith
H1004
"place"
N-mp
The Hebrew word for house refers to a dwelling place, including a family home, temple, or even the human body. It appears in various contexts, such as the temple in Jerusalem or the household of a family. In the Bible, it is often used to describe a place of worship or a family's living space.
Definition: nm place, origin, between
Usage: Occurs in 1712 OT verses. KJV: court, daughter, door, [phrase] dungeon, family, [phrase] forth of, [idiom] great as would contain, hangings, home(born), (winter) house(-hold), inside(-ward), palace, place, [phrase] prison, [phrase] steward, [phrase] tablet, temple, web, [phrase] within(-out). See also: Genesis 6:14; Exodus 8:5; Numbers 1:45.
Study Notes — Exodus 1:21
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Exodus 1:21 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Exodus 1:21
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Exodus 1:21
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Exodus 1:21
- Trapp's Commentary on Exodus 1:21
- Ellicott's Commentary on Exodus 1:21
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Exodus 1:21
- Cambridge Bible on Exodus 1:21
- Barnes' Notes on Exodus 1:21
- Whedon's Commentary on Exodus 1:21
- Sermons on Exodus 1:21
Context — Oppression by a New King
19The midwives answered Pharaoh, “The Hebrew women are not like the Egyptian women, for they are vigorous and give birth before a midwife arrives.”
20So God was good to the midwives, and the people multiplied and became even more numerous.
21And because the midwives feared God, He gave them families of their own.
22Then Pharaoh commanded all his people: “Every son born to the Hebrews you must throw into the Nile, but every daughter you may allow to live.”Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 Kings 11:38 | If you listen to all that I command you, walk in My ways, and do what is right in My sight in order to keep My statutes and commandments as My servant David did, then I will be with you. I will build you a lasting dynasty just as I built for David, and I will give Israel to you. |
| 2 | 1 Samuel 2:35 | Then I will raise up for Myself a faithful priest. He will do whatever is in My heart and mind. And I will build for him an enduring house, and he will walk before My anointed one for all time. |
| 3 | Psalms 37:3 | Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness. |
| 4 | 2 Samuel 7:27–29 | For You, O LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, have revealed this to Your servant when You said, ‘I will build a house for you.’ Therefore Your servant has found the courage to offer this prayer to You. And now, O Lord GOD, You are God! Your words are true, and You have promised this goodness to Your servant. Now therefore, may it please You to bless the house of Your servant, that it may continue forever before You. For You, O Lord GOD, have spoken, and with Your blessing the house of Your servant will be blessed forever.” |
| 5 | Ecclesiastes 8:12 | Although a sinner does evil a hundred times and still lives long, yet I also know that it will go well with those who fear God, who are reverent in His presence. |
| 6 | 1 Kings 2:24 | And now, as surely as the LORD lives—the One who established me, who set me on the throne of my father David, and who founded for me a dynasty as He promised—surely Adonijah shall be put to death today!” |
| 7 | 1 Samuel 25:28 | Please forgive your servant’s offense, for the LORD will surely make a lasting dynasty for my lord, because he fights the LORD’s battles. May no evil be found in you as long as you live. |
| 8 | 2 Samuel 7:11–13 | and have done since the day I appointed judges over My people Israel. I will give you rest from all your enemies. The LORD declares to you that He Himself will establish a house for you. And when your days are fulfilled and you rest with your fathers, I will raise up your descendant after you, who will come from your own body, and I will establish his kingdom. He will build a house for My Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. |
| 9 | Psalms 127:1 | Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain; unless the LORD protects the city, its watchmen stand guard in vain. |
| 10 | Jeremiah 35:2 | “Go to the house of the Rechabites, speak to them, and bring them to one of the chambers of the house of the LORD to offer them a drink of wine.” |
Exodus 1:21 Summary
This verse shows that God rewards those who fear and obey Him. The midwives in this story feared God and chose to obey Him, even when it was hard, and God gave them families of their own as a blessing. This teaches us that when we trust and obey God, He can bring good things into our lives, as seen in Jeremiah 29:11 and Romans 8:28. By fearing God and obeying Him, we can experience His faithfulness and blessing in our own lives.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to fear God in Exodus 1:21?
To fear God means to have a deep respect and reverence for Him, recognizing His power and authority, as seen in Psalm 111:10, which says that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.
Why did God give the midwives families of their own?
God gave the midwives families of their own because they feared Him and obeyed Him, demonstrating His faithfulness and reward to those who trust and obey Him, as seen in Exodus 1:20 and reinforced in Psalm 37:3-4.
Is this verse promising that everyone who fears God will have a family?
While this verse does show God's blessing on the midwives, it is not a universal promise that everyone who fears God will have a family, as seen in Isaiah 54:1, which encourages barren women to sing and rejoice, and in 1 Corinthians 7:8, which notes that singleness can be a gift from God.
What can we learn from the midwives' example in this verse?
The midwives' example teaches us the importance of trusting and obeying God, even in difficult circumstances, and demonstrates that God is faithful to reward those who fear and obey Him, as seen in Hebrews 11:6 and reinforced in Matthew 25:21-23.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways I can demonstrate my fear of God in my daily life, and how can I trust Him to guide and provide for me?
- How can I, like the midwives, choose to obey God even when it is difficult or unpopular, and what are the potential consequences of disobedience?
- In what ways have I seen God's faithfulness and reward in my own life, and how can I share this with others to encourage them in their walk with God?
- What are some areas of my life where I need to trust God more, and what steps can I take to deepen my faith and obedience to Him?
Gill's Exposition on Exodus 1:21
And it came to pass, because the midwives feared God,.... And regarded his command, and not that of the king, though they risked his displeasure, and their lives: that he made them houses; which some
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Exodus 1:21
Therefore God dealt well with the midwives: and the people multiplied, and waxed very mighty. Therefore God dealt well with the midwives ... This represents God as rewarding them for telling a lie.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Exodus 1:21
i.e. God greatly increased their families both in children and posterity, and in wealth, and other outward blessings. So this phrase is used 11:38 . As houses are commonly put for families, so building is put for procreating of children, 30:3.
Trapp's Commentary on Exodus 1:21
Exodus 1:21 And it came to pass, because the midwives feared God, that he made them houses.Ver. 21. Because the midwives feared God.] There is no necessity of granting that the midwives told the king a lie. But if they did, St Austin saith well, Non remunerata fuit iis fallacia, sed benevolentia; benignitas mentis, non iniquitas mentientis. Their lie was not rewarded, but their kind heartedness. That he made them houses,] i.e., He gave them posterity. Thus he built David a house. And thus Rachel and Leah are said to have "built the house of Israel." The parents are, as it were, the foundation of the house; the children as so many lively stones in the building. Hence the Hebrews call a son Ben, of Banah to build, quid sit edificium et structura parentum, quoad generationem et educationem.
Ellicott's Commentary on Exodus 1:21
(21) He made them houses.—God rewarded those who had showed tenderness to young children, by giving them children of their own, who grew up, and became in their turn fathers and mothers of families. There is no indication that the “houses” spoken of were Hebrew ones.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Exodus 1:21
Verse 21. He made them houses.] Dr. Shuckford thinks that there is something wrong both in the punctuation and translation of this place, and reads the passage thus, adding the 21st to the 20th verse: "And they multiplied and waxed mighty; and this happened (ויהי vayehi) because the midwives feared God; and he (Pharaoh) made (להם lahem, masc.) them (the Israelites) houses; and commanded all his people, saying, Every son that is born, c." The doctor supposes that previously to this time the Israelites had no fixed dwellings, but lived in tents, and therefore had a better opportunity of concealing their children but now Pharaoh built them houses, and obliged them to dwell in them, and caused the Egyptians to watch over them, that all the male children might be destroyed, which could not have been easily effected had the Israelites continued to live in their usual scattered manner in tents. That the houses in question were not made for the midwives, but for the Israelites in general, the Hebrew text seems pretty plainly to indicate, for the pronoun להם lahem, to them, is the masculine gender; had the midwives been meant, the feminine pronoun להן lahen would have been used. Others contend that by making them houses, not only the midwives are intended, but also that the words mark an increase of their families, and that the objection taken from the masculine pronoun is of no weight, because these pronouns are often interchanged; see 1Kg 22:17, where להם lahem is written, and in the parallel place, 2 Chronicles 18:16, להן lahen is used. So בהם bahem, in 1 Chronicles 10:7, is written בהן bahen, 1 Samuel 31:7, and in several other places. There is no doubt that God did bless the midwives, his approbation of their conduct is strictly marked; and there can be no doubt of his prospering the Israelites, for it is particularly said that the people multiplied and waxed very mighty. But the words most probably refer to the Israelites, whose houses or families were built up by an extraordinary in crease of children, notwithstanding the cruel policy of the Egyptian king. Vain is the counsel of man when opposed to the determinations of God! All the means used for the destruction of this people became in his hand instruments of their prosperity and increase.
How true is the saying, If God be for us, who can be against us?
Cambridge Bible on Exodus 1:21
21. made them houses] i.e. gave them families, to perpetuate their names. Cf. 2 Samuel 7:11; 1 Kings 2:24; Genesis 16:2 (RVm.).
Barnes' Notes on Exodus 1:21
Made them houses - i. e. they married Hebrews and became mothers in Israel. The expression is proverbial. See the margin reference.
Whedon's Commentary on Exodus 1:21
21. Made them houses — Built up their families, increased their posterity, in reward for their preservation of the posterity of Israel. This, in the Hebrew idiom, is to “build a house.” Comp. 2 Samuel 7:11; 2 Samuel 7:27.
Sermons on Exodus 1:21
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Christians in Politics? by David Servant | David Servant delves into the moral issues of Christian involvement in politics and government, emphasizing the importance of understanding the role of human government as a second |
|
Glory - Part 1 by Arthur Blessitt | Arthur Blessitt shares a powerful vision he received from God about the glory of the coming of the Lord, emphasizing the overwhelming brightness and majesty of the Lord's presence. |
|
A New Priesthood Arises by George Warnock | George Warnock emphasizes the transition from the corrupt priesthood of Eli to the rise of Samuel, a faithful servant of God, who was born from Hannah's deep cries for a son. This |
|
The Samuel Company by David Wilkerson | David Wilkerson calls for a revival of the 'Samuel Company,' a group of believers who hear God's voice and grieve over the backslidden state of the Church. He emphasizes the need f |
|
A Steward of the Mysteries of God by George Kulp | George Kulp preaches about the powerful impact of a faithful priest who aligns with God's will, the blessings for those who sow seeds of faith, and the importance of pastors who fe |
|
Commit by Bill McLeod | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the concept of committal and trusting in God's plan. He uses the example of Paul and the sailors in the book of Acts who were caught in a viol |
|
|
The Consequences of Not Trusting God - Part 2 by David Wilkerson | This sermon focuses on Abraham's journey of faith, highlighting the challenges and crises he faced as he learned to fully trust God with his life and future. Despite encountering s |