exodus-1:17-18-nlt

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 1:17

But the midwives feared God ,.... And therefore durst not take away the life of an human creature, which was contrary to the express law of God, Genesis 9:6 , and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them ; knowing it was right to obey God rather than man, though ever so great, or in so exalted a station: but saved the men children alive ; did not use any violence with them, by stifling them in the birth. The scheme was so barbarous and shocking, especially to the tender sex, to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 1:18

And the king called for the midwives ,.... Perceiving, by the increase of the Israelites, that they did not obey his commands: and said unto them, why have ye done this thing, and have saved the men children alive ? not only did not kill them, but did everything for them that was necessary for their future preservation and health; see Ezekiel 16:4 . read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 1:17

The midwives feared God - Because they knew that God had forbidden murder of every kind; for though the law was not yet given, Exodus 20:13 , being Hebrews they must have known that God had from the beginning declared, Whosoever sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed, Genesis 9:6 . Therefore they saved the male children of all to whose assistance they were called. See Clarke's note on Exodus 1:19 . read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 1:17

Verse 17 17.But the midwives feared God. Moses does not mean that they were then first affected with the fear of God; but he assigns this reason why they did not obey his unjust command, viz., because reverence towards God had greater influence with them. And certainly, as all our affections are best directed by this rein, so also it is the surest shield for resisting all temptations, and a firm support to uphold our minds from wavering in seasons of danger. Now, they not only dreaded this... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 1:18

Verse 18 18.And the king of Egypt called for the midwives. He was not reduced to a more moderate course by equity or mercy; but because he dared not openly expose to slaughter the wretched and harmless infants at their birth, lest such atrocity should arouse the wrath of the Israelites to vengeance, He therefore secretly sends for the midwives, and inquires why they have not executed his murderous command? I doubt not, however, that he was restrained rather by the fear of rebellion than by... 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

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 1:17

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 1:18

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 1:17

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 1:17

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 1:18

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

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