Exodus 1:18
Good News Translation
So the king sent for the midwives and asked them, "Why are you doing this? Why are you letting the boys live?"

New Revised Standard Version
So the king of Egypt summoned the midwives and said to them, “Why have you done this, and allowed the boys to live?”

Contemporary English Version
The king called them in again and asked, "Why are you letting those baby boys live?"

New American Bible
So the king of Egypt summoned the midwives and asked them, “Why have you done this, allowing the boys to live?”

Douay-Rheims Bible
And the king called for them and said: What is it that you meant to do, that you would save the men children?

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

And the king called for them and said: What is it that you meant to do, that you would save the men children?

why have.

2 Samuel 13:28 And Absalom had commanded his servants, saying: Take notice when Ammon shall be drunk with wine, and when I shall say to you: Strike him, and kill him, fear not: for it is I that command you: take courage, and be valiant men.

Ecclesiastes 8:4 And his word is full of power: neither can any man say to him: Why dost thou so?

Context
Oppression by a New King
17But the midwives feared God, and did not do as the king of Egypt had commanded, but saved the men children. 18And the king called for them and said: What is it that you meant to do, that you would save the men children?19They answered: The Hebrew women are not as the Egyptian women: for they themselves are skilful in the office of a midwife; and they are delivered before we come to them.…
Cross References
Exodus 1:17
But the midwives feared God, and did not do as the king of Egypt had commanded, but saved the men children.

Exodus 1:19
They answered: The Hebrew women are not as the Egyptian women: for they themselves are skilful in the office of a midwife; and they are delivered before we come to them.

Exodus 1:17
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