King James Version
Exodus 1:18 in the King James Version says “And the king of Egypt called for the midwives, and said unto them, Why have ye done this thing, and have saved the men c...” — study this verse from Exodus chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.
“And the king of Egypt called for the midwives, and said unto them, Why have ye done this thing, and have saved the men children alive?”
Exodus 1:18 · KJV
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.
But the midwives feared God, and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the men children alive.
And the king of Egypt called for the midwives, and said unto them, Why have ye done this thing, and have saved the men children alive?
And the midwives said unto Pharaoh, Because the Hebrew women are not as the Egyptian women; for they are lively, and are delivered ere the midwives come in unto them.
Therefore God dealt well with the midwives: and the people multiplied, and waxed very mighty.
KJV Study — Public Domain
“called”
H7121to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
“for the midwives”
H3205to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage
“this thing”
H1697a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
“alive”
H2421to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
This verse is found in the book of Exodus. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.
Exodus 1:18 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.
Verses related to Exodus 1:18 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge