A midwife in biblical times was a woman who assisted other women during childbirth. The role of the midwife is mentioned several times in the Bible, highlighting its importance in ancient Israelite society. Midwives were responsible for providing care and support to the mother during labor and delivery, ensuring the safety and health of both the mother and the newborn.

Biblical References:

1. Exodus 1:15-21: The most notable mention of midwives in the Bible is found in the book of Exodus. The Hebrew midwives, Shiphrah and Puah, are commended for their bravery and fear of God. When Pharaoh commanded them to kill all newborn Hebrew boys, they defied his orders, allowing the boys to live. Their actions are described in Exodus 1:17 : "The midwives, however, feared God and did not do as the king of Egypt had told them; they let the boys live." Because of their faithfulness, God dealt well with the midwives and gave them families of their own (Exodus 1:20-21).

2. Genesis 35:17: Another reference to a midwife is found in the account of Rachel's death during childbirth. As Rachel labored with her second son, Benjamin, the midwife offered her comfort, saying, "Do not be afraid, for you are having another son" . This passage illustrates the midwife's role in providing emotional support and encouragement during the birthing process.

3. Genesis 38:28: The account of Tamar also includes a midwife. During the birth of Tamar's twins, the midwife played a crucial role in identifying the firstborn. As the twins were being born, one put out his hand, and the midwife tied a scarlet thread around it, saying, "This one came out first" . This act was significant for determining the birthright.

Cultural and Religious Significance:

In ancient Israel, childbirth was a significant event, and midwives were essential figures in the community. Their role extended beyond mere physical assistance; they were often seen as wise women who possessed knowledge of traditional birthing practices and remedies. The midwives' fear of God, as demonstrated by Shiphrah and Puah, underscores the belief that their work was not only a service to the community but also an act of obedience and reverence to God.

The presence of midwives in these biblical narratives highlights the value placed on life and the protection of the vulnerable. Their actions often had profound implications, influencing the course of Israel's history and demonstrating God's providence and care for His people.

Theological Implications:

The accounts of midwives in the Bible reflect themes of faith, courage, and divine providence. The midwives' defiance of Pharaoh's orders in Exodus is a testament to their faith and moral conviction, serving as an example of civil disobedience in the face of unjust authority. Their account is a reminder of the sanctity of life and the importance of standing up for righteousness, even at great personal risk.

In summary, midwives in the Bible are portrayed as compassionate, courageous, and God-fearing women who played a vital role in the continuation of God's covenant people. Their legacy is one of faithfulness and dedication to the preservation of life, reflecting the broader biblical themes of justice, mercy, and divine protection.6326. Puah -- an Israelite midwife
... Puah. 6327 . an Israelite midwife. Transliteration: Puah Phonetic Spelling:
(poo-aw') Short Definition: Puah. ... midwife NASB Word Usage Puah (1). Puah. ...
/hebrew/6326.htm - 5k

8236. Shiphrah -- "fairness," a Hebrew midwife
... "fairness," a Hebrew midwife. Transliteration: Shiphrah Phonetic Spelling:
(shif-raw') Short Definition: Shiphrah. ... midwife NASB Word Usage Shiphrah (1). Shiphrah ...
/hebrew/8236.htm - 6k

3205. yalad -- to bear, bring forth, beget
... fathered (2), fathers (1), gave me birth (1), gave you birth (2), gave birth (25),
gave birth to a child (2), give birth (13), give birth the midwife (1), give ...
/hebrew/3205.htm - 7k

70. oben -- a wheel, disk
... From the same as 'eben; a pair of stones (only dual); a potter's wheel or a midwife's
stool (consisting alike of two horizontal disks with a support between ...
/hebrew/70.htm - 6k

Whether Christ was Born Without his Mother Suffering?
... Wherefore Jerome says (Adv. Helvid. iv): "No midwife was there, no officious
women interfered. She was both mother and midwife. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether christ was born without.htm

The Birth of Mary the Holy Mother of God, and Very Glorious Mother ...
... forth. And she said to the midwife: What have I brought forth? and she said:
A girl. ... going? And I:said: I am seeking an Hebrew midwife. ...
/.../unknown/the protevangelium of james/the birth of mary the.htm

Matt. I. 1
... [119] Then the midwife, when she ... The midwife when she saw this said, "Why was the
hedge broken up for thee?" [120]. Seest thou the dark expression of mysteries? ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily iii matt i 1.htm

Chapter xxxviii
... And it happened in birth that one put out a hand and the midwife took it and tied
a scarlet thread on his hand, saying: This one came out first. ...
/.../leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxxviii.htm

Argument. From the Prison they are Led Forth with Joy into the ...
... Moreover, Felicitas, rejoicing that she had safely brought forth, so that she might
fight with the wild beasts; from the blood and from the midwife to the ...
/.../chapter vi argument from the prison.htm

And it came to Pass Some Little Time After...
... And when she had permitted her to make an examination, the midwife cried out
with a loud voice, and said: Lord, Lord Almighty, mercy on us! ...
/.../unknown/the gospel of pseudo-matthew/chapter 13 and it came.htm

The Evil Spirit Has Marred the Purity of the Soul from the Very ...
... Thus it comes to pass that all men are brought to the birth with idolatry for the
midwife, whilst the very wombs that bear them, still bound with the fillets ...
/.../tertullian/a treatise on the soul/chapter xxxix the evil spirit has.htm

Heads of the Canons of Abulide or Hippolytus,
... [2050]. 17. Of the free woman. [2051]. 18. Of the midwife; and that the women
ought to be separate from the men in prayer. [2052]. 19. ...
/.../the extant works and fragments of hippolytus/heads of the canons of.htm

Both Covenants were Prefigured in Abraham, and in the Labour of ...
... [4144] For when she had conceived twins, one of them put forth his hand first; and
as the midwife supposed that he was the first-born, she bound a scarlet ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xxv both covenants were prefigured.htm

About this Same Time, Judah, the Son of Jacob...
... But when she brought them forth, there was this remarkable fact, that, when on one
of the boys being born, the midwife had bound his hand with a scarlet thread ...
/.../severus/life and writings of sulpitius severus /chapter xi about this same.htm

Midwife (4 Occurrences)
... obstetric art. 2. (vt) To assist in childbirth. 3. (vi) To perform the office
of midwife. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. MIDWIFE. mid'-wif ...
/m/midwife.htm - 10k

Mid-wife (1 Occurrence)
Mid-wife. Midwife, Mid-wife. Midwives . Multi-Version Concordance Mid-wife
(1 Occurrence). ... (See JPS). Midwife, Mid-wife. Midwives . Reference Bible.
/m/mid-wife.htm - 6k

Midwives (6 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) Plural of Midwife. Multi-Version Concordance
Midwives (6 Occurrences). Exodus 1:15 The king of Egypt ...
/m/midwives.htm - 8k

Office (64 Occurrences)
... in the priest's office," literally, act as priest (Exodus 28:1, etc.); "do the office
of a midwife," literally, cause or help to give birth (Exodus 1:16). ...
/o/office.htm - 30k

Labor (181 Occurrences)
... Genesis 35:17 When she was in hard labor, the midwife said to her, "Don't be afraid,
for now you will have another son." (WEB KJV ASV WBS NAS RSV). ...
/l/labor.htm - 38k

Bearing (150 Occurrences)
... Genesis 35:17 And it came to pass when it went hard with her in her childbearing,
that the midwife said to her, Fear not; for this also is a son for thee. ...
/b/bearing.htm - 39k

Vigorous (9 Occurrences)
... 1:19 The midwives said to Pharaoh, "Because the Hebrew women aren't like the Egyptian
women; for they are vigorous, and give birth before the midwife comes to ...
/v/vigorous.htm - 9k

Wrist (3 Occurrences)
... Genesis 38:28 When she travailed, one put out a hand, and the midwife took and tied
a scarlet thread on his hand, saying, "This came out first." (See NIV). ...
/w/wrist.htm - 7k

Tied (33 Occurrences)
... Genesis 38:28 When she travailed, one put out a hand, and the midwife took and tied
a scarlet thread on his hand, saying, "This came out first." (WEB NAS NIV). ...
/t/tied.htm - 16k

Thread (32 Occurrences)
... Genesis 38:28 When she travailed, one put out a hand, and the midwife took and tied
a scarlet thread on his hand, saying, "This came out first." (WEB KJV JPS ...
/t/thread.htm - 16k

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