So the king of Egypt called for the midwives and said to them, “Why have you done this thing, and let the boys live?”
Parallel translations
- 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?”
- KJV And the king of Egypt called for the midwives, and said unto them, Why have ye done this thing, and have saved the men children alive?
- BSB So the king of Egypt summoned the midwives and asked them, “Why have you done this? Why have you let the boys live?”
- NKJV So the king of Egypt called for the midwives and said to them, “Why have you done this thing, and saved the male children alive?”
- NLT So the king of Egypt called for the midwives. “Why have you done this?” he demanded. “Why have you allowed the boys to live?”
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Pharaoh summons the midwives to demand why they let the boys live. The tyrant confronts their defiance.
Overview
Pharaoh's interrogation shows that his murderous policy has failed and that he suspects resistance. The confrontation heightens the tension and the danger the midwives face. Their willingness to stand before the king reflects the courage that flows from fearing God more than men.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 2
- Eccl 8:4for the king’s word is supreme. Who can say to him, “What are you doing?”
- 2 Sam 13:28Absalom commanded his servants, saying, “Mark now, when Amnon’s heart is merry with wine; and when I tell you, ‘Strike Amnon,’ then kill him. Don’t be afraid. Haven’t I commanded you? Be courageous, and be valiant!”
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
The Passover lamb whose blood turns away death, the exodus through the sea, the manna, the rock, and the tabernacle where God dwells with his people all foreshadow Jesus — our Passover, our redemption, the bread from heaven, and God-with-us in the flesh.
How Exodus 1:18 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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