King James Version
Exodus 1:20 in the King James Version says “Therefore God dealt well with the midwives: and the people multiplied, and waxed very mighty.” — study this verse from Exodus chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.
“Therefore God dealt well with the midwives: and the people multiplied, and waxed very mighty.”
Exodus 1:20 · KJV
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.
And it came to pass, because the midwives feared God, that he made them houses.
And Pharaoh charged all his people, saying, Every son that is born ye shall cast into the river, and every daughter ye shall save alive.
KJV Study — Public Domain
“dealt well”
H3190to be (causative) make well, literally (sound, beautiful) or figuratively (happy, successful, right)
“Therefore God”
H430gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
“with the midwives”
H3205to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage
“and the people”
H5971a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
“mighty”
H6105to bind fast, i.e., close (the eyes); intransitively, to be (causatively, make) powerful or numerous; to crunch the bones
“and waxed very”
H3966properly, vehemence, i.e., (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication, wholly, speedily, etc. (often with other words as an intensive or
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 1:20 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 1:20 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge