Exodus 1:20 WEB

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Exodus 1:15-22

The Egyptians? indignation at Israel's increase, notwithstanding the many hardships they put upon them, drove them at length to the most barbarous and inhuman methods of suppressing them, by the murder of their children. It was strange that they did not rather pick quarrels with the grown men, against whom they might perhaps find some occasion: to be thus bloody towards the infants, whom all must own to be innocents, was a sin which they had to cloak for. Note, 1. There is more cruelty in the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 1:20

Wherefore God dealt well with the midwives ,.... He approved of their conduct upon the whole, however difficult it may be to clear them from all blame in this matter; though some think that what they said was the truth, though they might not tell all the truth; yea, that they made a glorious confession of their faith in God, and plainly told the king, that it was nothing but the immediate hand of God that the Hebrew women were so lively and strong, and therefore were resolved not to oppose... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 1:20

Therefore God dealt well with the midwives: and the people multiplied, and waxed very mighty - This shows an especial providence and blessing of God; for though in all cases where females are kept to hard labor they have comparatively easy and safe travail, yet in a state of slavery the increase is generally very small, as the children die for want of proper nursing, the women, through their labor, being obliged to neglect their offspring; so that in the slave countries the stock is obliged... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 1:1-22

The prosperity of Israel. This prosperity was not a mere appearance, nor a passing spurt of fortune. It was a deep, abiding, and significant reality. Nor was it something exaggerated in order to make an excuse for the cruelties of a suspicious tyrant. There was indeed only too much to make Pharaoh uneasy; but altogether apart from his alarms there is a plain and emphatic statement of the prosperity of Israel in Exodus 1:7 . It is a very emphatic statement indeed, summoning us m the most... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 1:8-22

The policy of Pharaoh. I. THE PRINCIPLE OF THE POLICY . This is indicated in Exodus 1:9 , Exodus 1:10 . It was a policy of selfish fear, proceeding upon an unconcealed regard for the supremacy of Egypt. Whatever interfered with that supremacy was to be, if possible, swept completely out of the way. Pharaoh was dealing, not with the necessities of the present, but with the possibilities of the future. He made no pretence that Israel deserved to be dealt with in this... 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 1:18-21

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 1:20-21

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

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Exodus 1:15-22

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 1:20

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 1:20

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 1:1-22

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 1:8-22

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 1:18-21

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 1:20-21

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