出エジプト記 1:15-21 JCB

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 1:15

The Hebrew midwives . It is questioned whether the midwives were really Hebrew women, and not rather Egyptian women, whose special business it was to attend the Hebrew women in their labours. Kalisch translates, "the women who served as midwives to the Hebrews," and assumes that they were Egyptians. (So also Canon Cook.) But the names are apparently Semitic, Shiphrah being "elegant, beautiful," and Puah, "one who cries out." And the most natural rendering of the Hebrew text is that of A . ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 1:15-22

Some time—say five or six years—having elapsed and the Pharaoh's first plan having manifestly failed, it was necessary for him either to give up his purpose, or to devise something else. Persevering and tenacious, he preferred the latter course. He bethought himself that a stop might be put to the multiplication of the Israelites by means of infanticide on a large scale. Infanticide was no doubt a crime in Egypt, as in most countries except Rome; but the royal command would legitimate... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 1:15-22

Steps in sin. Bad men, when their designs are frustrated, and things fall out otherwise than as they wish, are far from suspecting that it is God who opposes them and brings their counsels to nought. They find fault with themselves or their advisers, and suppose that, if their end is not to be compassed in one way, it may he obtained in another. Like Balak ( Numbers 22:23 .), they would outwit God; or rather, not realising his existence, they would force fortune by a combination of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 1:15-22

A king's edicts. I. THE COMMAND TO THE MIDWIVES TO DESTROY THE MALES ( Exodus 1:16 ). This was a further stage in the persecution of the Hebrews. Happily the command was not obeyed. There is a limit even to the power of kings. Stronger than kings is— 1 . The power of religion. "The midwives feared God" ( Exodus 1:17 ). 2 . The force of patriotism. They were "Hebrew midwives" ( Exodus 1:15 ), and would not, even at the king's bidding, be murderers of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 1:16

The stools . The explanation furnished by a remark of Mr. Lane is more satisfactory than any other. In modern Egypt, he says, "two or three days before the expected time of delivery, the midwife conveys to the house the kursee elwiladeh, a chair of a peculiar form, upon which the patient is to be seated during the birth." A chair of the form intended is represented on the Egyptian monuments. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 1:17

The midwives feared God . The midwives had a sense of religion, feared God sufficiently to decline imbruing their hands in the innocent blood of a number of defenceless infants, and, rather than do so wicked a thing, risked being punished by the monarch. They were not, as appears by Exodus 1:19 , highly religious—not of the stuff whereof martyrs are made; they did not scruple at a falsehood, believing it necessary to save their lives; and it would seem that they succeeded in deceiving... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 1:17

Duty of opposing authority when its commands are against God's Law. Few lessons are taught in Holy Scripture more plainly than this, that the wrongful commands of legitimate authority are to be disobeyed. "Saul spake to Jonathan his son, and to all his servants that they should kill David" ( 1 Samuel 19:1 ). But Jonathan positively refused, and rebuked his father: "Wherefore wilt thou sin against innocent blood?" ( ib. Exodus 1:5 ). Uzziah would have usurped the priest's office; but... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 1:18-21

God's acceptance of an imperfect obedience. The midwives had not the courage of their convictions. They did not speak out boldly,, like Daniel, and the "Three Children," and the Apostles. They did not say, "Be it known unto thee, O king, that we fear God, and will not do this thing." They cast about for an excuse, which should absolve them of the crime of disobedience, and so perhaps save them from punishment, and they found one which was no doubt partially true, but which by a ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 1:19

They are vigorous . Literally, "they are lively." In the East at the present day a large proportion of the women deliver themselves; and the services of professional accoucheurs are very rarely called in. The excuse of the midwives had thus a basis of fact to rest upon, and was only untrue because it was not the whole truth. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 1:20-21

Therefore God did well to the midwives . Literally, "And God did well," etc. (see Exodus 1:21 ). Because they feared him sufficiently to disobey the king, and take their chance of a punishment, which might have been very severe-even perhaps death—God overlooked their weak and unfaithful divergence from truth, and gave them a reward. He made them houses . He Messed them by giving them children of their own, who grew up, and gave them the comfort, support, and happiness which children... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 1:15

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 1:15-22

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 1:15-22

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 1:15-22

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 1:16

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 1:17

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 1:17

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 1:18-21

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 1:19

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 1:20-21

Group of Brands