Exodus 1:17 cpdv — But the midwives feared God, and so they did not act according to the precept of the king of Egypt, but they kept the m…

Catholic Public Domain Version

"But the midwives feared God, and so they did not act according to the precept of the king of Egypt, but they kept the males safe. "

— Exodus 1:17, Catholic Public Domain Version

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Exodus 1:17 in Other Translations

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Exodus 1 — Context

14

And they led their life directly into bitterness, with hard work in clay and brick, and with all kinds of servitude, so that they were being overwhelmed with the works of the land.

15

Then the king of Egypt spoke to the midwives of the Hebrews, (one of whom one was called Shiphrah, another Puah)

16

instructing them: “When you will act as a midwife to the Hebrew women, and the time of delivery has arrived: if it is male, put it to death; if it is female, retain it.”

17

But the midwives feared God, and so they did not act according to the precept of the king of Egypt, but they kept the males safe.

18

And summoning them, the king said, “What did you intend to do, so that you would save the boys?”

19

They responded: “The Hebrew women are not like the Egyptian women. For they themselves have the wisdom of a midwife, and so they give birth before we can come to them.”

20

Therefore, God acted favorably toward the midwives. And the people increased, and they were strengthened exceedingly.

Exodus 1:17 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does Exodus 1:17 say?
Exodus 1:17 in the Catholic Public Domain Version reads: “But the midwives feared God, and so they did not act according to the precept of the king of Egypt, but they kept the males safe. ”
Where is Exodus 1:17 in the Bible?
Exodus 1:17 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of Exodus, chapter 1, verse 17.
Who wrote Exodus?
Exodus is traditionally attributed to Moses (traditional). It was written c. 1446–1406 BC.
What is the book of Exodus about?
Exodus tells of Israel's deliverance from slavery in Egypt and the giving of the Law at Mount Sinai. Through the plagues, the Passover, the crossing of the Red Sea, and the covenant at Sinai, God reveals himself as Redeemer and comes to dwell among his people in the tabernacle.
What are the major themes of Exodus?
Exodus explores themes including Deliverance, Covenant, Law, God's Presence, Worship, Redemption. These themes shape the meaning and context of Exodus 1:17.
What translation should I read Exodus 1:17 in?
Exodus 1:17 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize Exodus 1:17?
Exodus 1:17 reads (CPDV): “But the midwives feared God, and so they did not act according to the precept of the king of Egypt, but they kept the males safe. ” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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