Exodus 1:20
Exodus 1:20 in Multiple Translations
So God was good to the midwives, and the people multiplied and became even more numerous.
Therefore God dealt well with the midwives: and the people multiplied, and waxed very mighty.
And God dealt well with the midwives: and the people multiplied, and waxed very mighty.
And the blessing of God was on these women: and the people were increased in number and became very strong.
God treated the midwives well, and the people increased in number so there were even more of them.
God therefore prospered the midwiues, and the people multiplied and were very mightie.
And God doth good to the midwives, and the people multiply, and are very mighty;
God dealt well with the midwives, and the people multiplied, and grew very mighty.
Therefore God dealt well with the midwives: and the people multiplied, and became very mighty.
Therefore God dealt well with the midwives: and the people multiplied and grew exceedingly strong.
So God acted kindly toward the midwives, and the Hebrew people became even more numerous and strong.
Berean Amplified Bible — Exodus 1:20
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Exodus 1:20 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יֵּ֥יטֶב
אֱלֹהִ֖ים
לַֽ/מְיַלְּדֹ֑ת
וַ/יִּ֧רֶב
הָ/עָ֛ם
וַ/יַּֽעַצְמ֖וּ
מְאֹֽד
וַ/יֵּ֥יטֶב
yâṭab
H3190
be good
Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-3ms
אֱלֹהִ֖ים
ʼĕlôhîym
H430
God
N-mp
לַֽ/מְיַלְּדֹ֑ת
yâlad
H3205
to beget
Prep | V-Piel
וַ/יִּ֧רֶב
râbâh
H7235
to multiply
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
הָ/עָ֛ם
ʻam
H5971
Amaw
Art | N-ms
וַ/יַּֽעַצְמ֖וּ
ʻâtsam
H6105
be vast
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
מְאֹֽד
mᵉʼôd
H3966
much
Adv
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Exodus 1:20
וַ/יֵּ֥יטֶב
yâṭab
H3190
"be good"
Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-3ms
To be good means to be pleasing or joyful, making something or someone sound, beautiful, or happy. It is used in various forms, including being glad, doing well, or being content. It appears in many books, including Psalms and Proverbs.
Definition: 1) to be good, be pleasing, be well, be glad 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be glad, be joyful 1a2) to be well placed 1a3) to be well for, be well with, go well with 1a4) to be pleasing, be pleasing to 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to make glad, rejoice 1b2) to do good to, deal well with 1b3) to do well, do thoroughly 1b4) to make a thing good or right or beautiful 1b5) to do well, do right
Usage: Occurs in 105 OT verses. KJV: be accepted, amend, use aright, benefit, be (make) better, seem best, make cheerful, be comely, [phrase] be content, diligent(-ly), dress, earnestly, find favour, give, be glad, do (be, make) good(-ness), be (make) merry, please ([phrase] well), shew more (kindness), skilfully, [idiom] very small, surely, make sweet, thoroughly, tire, trim, very, be (can, deal, entreat, go, have) well (said, seen). See also: Genesis 4:7; 2 Samuel 3:36; Psalms 33:3.
אֱלֹהִ֖ים
ʼĕlôhîym
H430
"God"
N-mp
The Hebrew word for God, elohim, refers to the one supreme God, and is sometimes used to show respect to judges or magistrates. It is also used to describe angels or mighty beings. This word is closely related to the name of the Lord, Yahweh, and is often translated as God or gods in the Bible.
Definition: This name means "gods" (plural intensive-singular meaning), "God" Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)
Usage: Occurs in 2246 OT verses. KJV: angels, [idiom] exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), [idiom] (very) great, judges, [idiom] mighty. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 22:12; Exodus 3:11.
לַֽ/מְיַלְּדֹ֑ת
yâlad
H3205
"to beget"
Prep | V-Piel
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to give birth or beget a child, like when Eve gave birth to Cain in Genesis 4:1. It can also mean to help someone give birth, like a midwife. This word is used in many KJV translations, including Genesis and Isaiah.
Definition: 1) to bear, bringforth, beget, gender, travail 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to bear, bring forth 1a1a) of child birth 1a1b) of distress (simile) 1a1c) of wicked (behaviour) 1a2) to beget 1b) (Niphal) to be born 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to cause or help to bring forth 1c2) to assist or tend as a midwife 1c3) midwife (participle) 1d) (Pual) to be born 1e) (Hiphil) 1e1) to beget (a child) 1e2) to bear (fig. -of wicked bringing forth iniquity) 1f) (Hophal) day of birth, birthday (infinitive) 1g) (Hithpael) to declare one's birth (pedigree)
Usage: Occurs in 403 OT verses. KJV: bear, beget, birth(-day), born, (make to) bring forth (children, young), bring up, calve, child, come, be delivered (of a child), time of delivery, gender, hatch, labour, (do the office of a) midwife, declare pedigrees, be the son of, (woman in, woman that) travail(-eth, -ing woman). See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 30:19; 2 Samuel 21:22.
וַ/יִּ֧רֶב
râbâh
H7235
"to multiply"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
This word means to increase or grow, like a plant shooting up. It is used in the Bible to describe something getting bigger or more abundant. The KJV translates it as abundance or bring up.
Definition: 1) be or become great, be or become many, be or become much, be or become numerous 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to become many, become numerous, multiply (of people, animals, things) 1a2) to be or grow great 1b) (Piel) to make large, enlarge, increase, become many 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to make much, make many, have many 1c1a) to multiply, increase 1c1b) to make much to do, do much in respect of, transgress greatly 1c1c) to increase greatly or exceedingly 1c2) to make great, enlarge, do much Aramaic equivalent: re.vah (רְבָה "to grow great" H7236)
Usage: Occurs in 215 OT verses. KJV: (bring in) abundance ([idiom] -antly), [phrase] archer (by mistake for H7232 (רָבַב)), be in authority, bring up, [idiom] continue, enlarge, excel, exceeding(-ly), be full of, (be, make) great(-er, -ly, [idiom] -ness), grow up, heap, increase, be long, (be, give, have, make, use) many (a time), (any, be, give, give the, have) more (in number), (ask, be, be so, gather, over, take, yield) much (greater, more), (make to) multiply, nourish, plenty(-eous), [idiom] process (of time), sore, store, thoroughly, very. See also: Genesis 1:22; 2 Chronicles 33:6; Psalms 16:4.
הָ/עָ֛ם
ʻam
H5971
"Amaw"
Art | N-ms
A people or nation is what this Hebrew word represents, like the nation of Israel in Exodus 33:13. It can also mean a tribe, troops, or attendants, and is used to describe a group of people gathered together. The word is often used to refer to the people of God.
Definition: This name means nation, people
Usage: Occurs in 1655 OT verses. KJV: folk, men, nation, people. See also: Genesis 11:6; Exodus 16:4; Leviticus 17:9.
וַ/יַּֽעַצְמ֖וּ
ʻâtsam
H6105
"be vast"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
This verb means to shut one's eyes tightly or to become powerful, and can also mean to break or crunch bones. It is used in various contexts, including in the books of Psalms and Isaiah. The idea of being strong is central to this word.
Definition: 1) to be vast, be numerous, be mighty 1a)(Qal) 1a1) to be mighty 1a2) to be numerous 1b) (Hiphil) to make strong, make mighty
Usage: Occurs in 20 OT verses. KJV: break the bones, close, be great, be increased, be (wax) mighty(-ier), be more, shut, be(-come, make) strong(-er). See also: Genesis 26:16; Isaiah 31:1; Psalms 38:20.
מְאֹֽד
mᵉʼôd
H3966
"much"
Adv
Meod means 'much' or 'very' and is used to emphasize something. It can mean 'exceedingly' or 'greatly' and is often used to show strong feelings or actions.
Definition: adv 1) exceedingly, much subst 2) might, force, abundance n m 3) muchness, force, abundance, exceedingly 3a) force, might 3b) exceedingly, greatly, very (idioms showing magnitude or degree) 3b1) exceedingly 3b2) up to abundance, to a great degree, exceedingly 3b3) with muchness, muchness
Usage: Occurs in 278 OT verses. KJV: diligently, especially, exceeding(-ly), far, fast, good, great(-ly), [idiom] louder and louder, might(-ily, -y), (so) much, quickly, (so) sore, utterly, very ([phrase] much, sore), well. See also: Genesis 1:31; 1 Samuel 11:6; Psalms 6:4.
Study Notes — Exodus 1:20
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Exodus 1:20 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Exodus 1:20
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Exodus 1:20
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Exodus 1:20
- Trapp's Commentary on Exodus 1:20
- Ellicott's Commentary on Exodus 1:20
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Exodus 1:20
- Cambridge Bible on Exodus 1:20
- Whedon's Commentary on Exodus 1:20
- Sermons on Exodus 1:20
Context — Oppression by a New King
18So the king of Egypt summoned the midwives and asked them, “Why have you done this? Why have you let the boys live?”
19The midwives answered Pharaoh, “The Hebrew women are not like the Egyptian women, for they are vigorous and give birth before a midwife arrives.”
20So God was good to the midwives, and the people multiplied and became even more numerous.
21And because the midwives feared God, He gave them families of their own. 22Then Pharaoh commanded all his people: “Every son born to the Hebrews you must throw into the Nile, but every daughter you may allow to live.”Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Isaiah 3:10 | Tell the righteous it will be well with them, for they will enjoy the fruit of their labor. |
| 2 | Ecclesiastes 8:12 | Although a sinner does evil a hundred times and still lives long, yet I also know that it will go well with those who fear God, who are reverent in His presence. |
| 3 | Proverbs 11:18 | The wicked man earns an empty wage, but he who sows righteousness reaps a true reward. |
| 4 | Psalms 111:5 | He provides food for those who fear Him; He remembers His covenant forever. |
| 5 | Hebrews 6:10 | For God is not unjust. He will not forget your work and the love you have shown for His name as you have ministered to the saints and continue to do so. |
| 6 | Exodus 1:12 | But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and flourished; so the Egyptians came to dread the Israelites. |
| 7 | Luke 1:50 | His mercy extends to those who fear Him, from generation to generation. |
| 8 | Matthew 10:42 | And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is My disciple, truly I tell you, he will never lose his reward.” |
| 9 | Psalms 85:9 | Surely His salvation is near to those who fear Him, that His glory may dwell in our land. |
| 10 | Psalms 41:1–2 | Blessed is the one who cares for the poor; the LORD will deliver him in the day of trouble. The LORD will protect and preserve him; He will bless him in the land and refuse to surrender him to the will of his foes. |
Exodus 1:20 Summary
In Exodus 1:20, we see that God blessed the midwives because they feared Him and disobeyed Pharaoh's order to kill the Hebrew baby boys. This shows us that God is always working to fulfill His promises and care for His people, as seen in Genesis 12:2 and Deuteronomy 7:13-14. When we trust in God's sovereignty and obey Him, even in difficult circumstances, He can bring about blessings and growth in our lives, as seen in Jeremiah 29:11. By fearing God and trusting in His sovereignty, like the midwives did, we can experience God's blessings and care in our own lives.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did God bless the midwives in Exodus 1:20?
God blessed the midwives because they feared Him and disobeyed Pharaoh's order to kill the Hebrew baby boys, as seen in Exodus 1:17-19, demonstrating their faith and trust in God's sovereignty, similar to the faith of Noah in Genesis 6:8-9.
What does it mean that the people 'multiplied and became even more numerous' in Exodus 1:20?
This phrase indicates that God was fulfilling His promise to Abraham in Genesis 12:2 and Genesis 17:6, making the Israelites a numerous people, and it also shows how God can bring blessing and growth out of difficult circumstances, as seen in Deuteronomy 7:13-14.
How does Exodus 1:20 relate to the rest of the Exodus story?
Exodus 1:20 sets the stage for the rest of the Exodus story, which tells of God's deliverance of the Israelites from Egyptian bondage, as seen in Exodus 14:13-14 and Exodus 19:4-6, and it shows how God is always working to fulfill His promises and care for His people, as seen in Jeremiah 29:11.
What can we learn from the midwives' example in Exodus 1:20?
The midwives' example teaches us the importance of fearing God and trusting in His sovereignty, even in the face of opposition or danger, as seen in Daniel 3:16-18 and Acts 5:29, and it shows how God can use our faithfulness to bring about blessings and growth, as seen in Matthew 25:23.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I can demonstrate my fear of God in my daily life, like the midwives did in Exodus 1:20?
- How has God blessed me or brought growth into my life, even in difficult circumstances, as seen in Exodus 1:20?
- What are some promises that God has made to me, and how can I trust in His sovereignty to fulfill them, as seen in Genesis 12:2 and Genesis 17:6?
- In what ways can I, like the midwives, take a stand for what is right and trust in God's protection and care, as seen in Exodus 1:17-19 and Psalm 37:3-7?
Gill's Exposition on 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
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Exodus 1:20
Therefore God dealt well with the midwives: and the people multiplied, and waxed very mighty. Therefore God dealt well with the midwives ... This represents God as rewarding them for telling a lie.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Exodus 1:20
Therefore, because they feared God, and spared the children, , whereby they exposed themselves to the king’ s displeasure; because they would not offend God by murdering the children, which they might have done many times secretly, and therefore it was only the fear of God which restrained them from it.
Trapp's Commentary on Exodus 1:20
Exodus 1:20 Therefore God dealt well with the midwives: and the people multiplied, and waxed very mighty.Ver. 20. Dealt well with the midwives.] God is a liberal paymaster: and his retributions are more than bountiful. "Be ye therefore steadfast and unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord." And the people multiplied.] Sic divinum consilium dum devitatur, impletur: humana sapientia, dum reluctatur, comprehenditur, as Gregory hath it. "There are many devices in the heart of a man: but the counsel of the Lord, that shall stand." Among the Romans, the more children any man had, the more he was freed from public burdens. And of Adrian the Emperor it is storied, that when those that had many children were accused of any crime, he mitigated their punishment according to the number of their children. But these poor Israelites were otherwise used. Greg., Moral. Dio, in Adriano.
Ellicott's Commentary on Exodus 1:20
(20) Therefore God dealt well with the midwives.—Heb., and God dealt well, &c. The reason is stated in Exodus 1:21. It was not because they equivocated and deceived the king, but because they feared God sufficiently to disobey the king, and run the risk of discovery. If they had been discovered, their life would have paid the forfeit.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Exodus 1:20
Verse 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 labour 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 labour, being obliged to neglect their offspring; so that in the slave countries the stock is obliged to be recruited by foreign imports: yet in the case above it was not so; there was not one barren among their tribes, and even their women, though constantly obliged to perform their daily tasks, were neither rendered unfruitful by it, nor taken off by premature death through the violence and continuance of their labour, when even in the delicate situation mentioned above.
Cambridge Bible on Exodus 1:20
20b. Assigned to J, because, while agreeing with v. 7, even in expression—‘âṣ ?am, to wax mighty, occurs elsewhere in prose only in Genesis 26:16, also J—it seems to imply a far greater people than is done by vv. 15–20a.
Whedon's Commentary on Exodus 1:20
20. God dealt well with the mid-wives — Augustine well says: “Not their falsehood, but their mercy, kindness, and fear of God, were rewarded.
Sermons on Exodus 1:20
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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(The Word for Today) Isaiah 3:10 - Part 3 by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, Pastor Chuck discusses the contrasting themes of judgment and hope found in the book of Isaiah. He highlights the corruption and oppression of the leaders of Israel |
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Say Ye to the Righteous, That It Shall Be Well With Him by C.H. Spurgeon | C.H. Spurgeon emphasizes that it is always well with the righteous, regardless of their circumstances, whether in prosperity or persecution. He reassures believers that God's promi |
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When the Wicked Shall Have Filled Up the Measure of Their Sin, Wrath Will Come Upon Them to the Uttermost by Jonathan Edwards | Jonathan Edwards preaches about the consequences of continuing in sin and filling up the measure of one's sins, leading to the ultimate wrath of God coming upon them to the uttermo |
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The Inspiration of the Bible, and Its Requirements by B.A. Cundiff | B.A. Cundiff discusses the inspiration behind the Bible, arguing that it could not have been written by wicked men due to its condemnation of wickedness, nor by good men without di |
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Hold Fast Your Title Deed of Faith by Allan Halton | Allan Halton preaches about the day of recompense and vengeance, emphasizing that vengeance belongs to God alone and we must not take it into our own hands. He highlights the impor |
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The Certainty of Death by Samuel Davies | Samuel Davies preaches a powerful sermon on the certainty of death, emphasizing that all individuals, whether righteous or wicked, will face physical death. He highlights the disti |
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Letter 70 by James Bourne | James Bourne preaches a message of encouragement and warning to a friend facing spiritual attacks, emphasizing the need to remain vigilant and armored in faith even during times of |