Exodus 1:18 web — The king of Egypt called for the midwives, and said to them, "Why have you done this thing, and have saved the boys ali…

World English Bible

"The king of Egypt called for the midwives, and said to them, "Why have you done this thing, and have saved the boys alive?""

— Exodus 1:18, World English Bible

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Exodus 1:18 in Other Translations

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Exodus 1 — Context

15

The king of Egypt spoke to the Hebrew midwives, of whom the name of the one was Shiphrah, and the name of the other Puah,

16

and he said, "When you perform the duty of a midwife to the Hebrew women, and see them on the birth stool; if it is a son, then you shall kill him; but if it is a daughter, then she shall live."

17

But the midwives feared God, and didn't do what the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the baby boys alive.

18

The king of Egypt called for the midwives, and said to them, "Why have you done this thing, and have saved the boys alive?"

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 them."

20

God dealt well with the midwives, and the people multiplied, and grew very mighty.

21

It happened, because the midwives feared God, that he gave them families.

Exodus 1:18 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does Exodus 1:18 say?
Exodus 1:18 in the World English Bible reads: “The king of Egypt called for the midwives, and said to them, "Why have you done this thing, and have saved the boys alive?"”
Where is Exodus 1:18 in the Bible?
Exodus 1:18 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of Exodus, chapter 1, verse 18.
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 1:18.
What translation should I read Exodus 1:18 in?
Exodus 1:18 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 1:18?
Exodus 1:18 reads (WEB): “The king of Egypt called for the midwives, and said to them, "Why have you done this thing, and have saved the boys alive?"” 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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