Who were the Hebrew midwives in the Bible?

Introduction and Context

The Hebrew midwives appear in the opening chapter of Exodus and represent key figures in the narrative of Israel’s miraculous preservation in Egypt. The broader backdrop involves the growing Israelite population, the fear of the Egyptian rulers, and the unfolding drama that would ultimately lead to the Exodus. The account highlights the faithfulness of these women and their reverence for God.

Biblical References (Exodus 1:15–22)

1. Pharaoh’s Command: “Then the king of Egypt said to the Hebrew midwives, whose names were Shiphrah and Puah, ‘When you help the Hebrew women give birth, look at the sex of the child. If it is a son, kill him; but if it is a daughter, let her live.’” (Exodus 1:15–16)

2. The Midwives’ Response: “The midwives, however, feared God and did not do as the king of Egypt had told them; they let the boys live.” (Exodus 1:17)

3. The King’s Confrontation: “So the king of Egypt summoned the midwives and asked them, ‘Why have you done this? Why have you let the boys live?’” (Exodus 1:18)

4. The Midwives’ Explanation: “The midwives answered Pharaoh, ‘Hebrew women are not like the Egyptian women; they are vigorous and give birth before the midwife arrives.’” (Exodus 1:19)

5. Divine Blessing: “So God was good to the midwives, and the people multiplied and became even more numerous. And because the midwives feared God, He gave them families of their own.” (Exodus 1:20–21)

Names and Identities

Shiphrah and Puah are listed by name (Exodus 1:15), which underscores their importance. Some interpreters have questioned whether they were actually Hebrew or Egyptian midwives serving the Hebrew women. However, the text states that they were “the Hebrew midwives,” positioning them as part of the community they served. The use of specific names suggests they were known to and honored by the Israelite community in their historical memory.

Historical and Cultural Background

• Midwifery in the Ancient Near East: The role of midwives was essential. Historically, Egyptian medical practices are well-documented in various papyri, though direct references to midwives are more limited. In the biblical text, these midwives are singled out because of their pivotal role in saving Hebrew infants.

• The Socio-Political Setting: According to a conservative biblical timeline, this would have occurred around the earlier part of the second millennium BC. The biblical account (Exodus 1:11) mentions the Israelites’ labor on store cities (like Pithom and Rameses), corroborating the presence of a Semitic workforce in that region. Archaeological findings, such as evidence for Semitic settlements in the Nile Delta, align with the possibility that a substantial Hebrew population existed in Egypt during this era.

Role in the Narrative of Exodus

• Agents of Preservation: They defied Pharaoh’s direct order to kill the newborn boys, setting the stage for Moses’s eventual birth and deliverance of Israel.

• Models of Godly Fear: Their reverence for God took precedence over obedience to human authority when human commands conflicted with God’s moral law.

• Recipients of God’s Blessing: Biblical testimony affirms that God rewarded them with “families of their own” (Exodus 1:21). This underscores a recurring theme of Scripture: obedience brings blessing.

Textual Observations and Interpretive Insights

• Consistency of Manuscripts: Ancient copies of Exodus, including fragments consistent with the text found among the Dead Sea Scrolls, attest to the continuity of the passage featuring the midwives. This supports the historicity of these women and the uniform transmission of the text over centuries.

• Moral and Ethical Dimension: Their decision to save children highlights the universal principle that revering God surpasses obligatory compliance to unjust human mandates.

• Literary Emphasis on Names: The text contains a certain irony: Pharaoh, who is not named in Exodus 1, attempts to exert power, yet these two named midwives (Shiphrah and Puah) are memorialized in Scripture.

Potential Questions About Identity

• Hebrew vs. Egyptian Midwives: While the Hebrew text states “the Hebrew midwives,” some older commentaries have speculated that they might have been Egyptian. However, both internal context (they “feared God”) and the straightforward reading favor identifying them as Hebrew.

• Number of Midwives: Only two are named, though more likely served overall. Shiphrah and Puah were probably representative of the broader midwifery corps or possibly their leaders.

Theological and Practical Applications

• Faith over Fear: Their example challenges believers to uphold God’s moral directive whenever society’s edicts contradict divine law.

• Courage and Compassion: Shiphrah and Puah display compassion by protecting life, at personal risk. Christians often point to this account as an early biblical portrayal of “civil disobedience” under oppression.

• God’s Faithful Remembrance: Scripture records their names for posterity, emphasizing that God sees and honors righteous deeds.

Broader Biblical Significance

Their actions form part of the larger framework of God’s redemptive plan: Moses, the very child who would lead Israel out of Egypt, is saved in this environment. The midwives’ obedience to God played a direct role in preserving the line leading to the Messiah and eventual salvation.

Conclusion

The Hebrew midwives, Shiphrah and Puah, stand as exemplars of courage, faith, and reverence for the Creator. Although they appear briefly in Exodus 1, their impact is profound. Their decision to let the children live underscores God’s sovereignty over human affairs and foreshadows the saving power that would deliver Israel from bondage. Scripture commends them for their faithfulness, and their memory remains a testament to the enduring truth that those who honor God ultimately serve His salvific purpose in human history.