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Exodus 1:18 - Midwives defy Pharaoh's decree?

Exodus 1:18 - שמות 1:18

Hebrew Text

וַיִּקְרָא מֶלֶךְ־מִצְרַיִם לַמְיַלְּדֹת וַיֹּאמֶר לָהֶן מַדּוּעַ עֲשִׂיתֶן הַדָּבָר הַזֶּה וַתְּחַיֶּיןָ אֶת־הַיְלָדִים׃

English Translation

And the king of Miżrayim called for the midwives, and said to them, Why have you done this thing, and saved the men children alive?

Transliteration

Vayikra melech-mitzrayim lamyaldot vayomer lahen madua asiten hadavar haze vatechayena et-hayeladim.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיִּקְרָ֤א מֶֽלֶךְ־מִצְרַ֙יִם֙ לַֽמְיַלְּדֹ֔ת וַיֹּ֣אמֶר לָהֶ֔ן מַדּ֥וּעַ עֲשִׂיתֶ֖ן הַדָּבָ֣ר הַזֶּ֑ה וַתְּחַיֶּ֖יןָ אֶת־הַיְלָדִֽים׃
וַיִּקְרָ֤א מֶֽלֶךְ־מִצְרַ֙יִם֙ לַֽמְיַלְּדֹ֔ת וַיֹּ֣אמֶר לָהֶ֔ן מַדּ֥וּעַ עֲשִׂיתֶ֖ן הַדָּבָ֣ר הַזֶּ֑ה וַתְּחַיֶּ֖יןָ אֶת־הַיְלָדִֽים׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Context of the Verse

The verse (Shemot 1:18) describes Pharaoh's confrontation with the Hebrew midwives, Shifra and Puah, after they defied his decree to kill all newborn Israelite boys. This occurs during the period of oppression in Egypt before the Exodus.

Pharaoh's Accusation

Rashi explains that Pharaoh's question—"Why have you done this thing, and saved the men children alive?"—implies he suspected the midwives were deliberately sparing the boys despite his orders. The Midrash (Shemot Rabbah 1:15) elaborates that Pharaoh had spies monitoring the midwives, confirming they were not following his command.

The Midwives' Identity

According to the Talmud (Sotah 11b), Shifra and Puah were none other than Yocheved (Moshe's mother) and Miriam (his sister). The names "Shifra" and "Puah" describe their actions:

  • Shifra (from לשיפור, "to improve")—because she improved the condition of the newborns.
  • Puah (from לפהק, "to coo")—because she comforted the infants with soothing sounds.

Pharaoh's Misunderstanding

Ramban (Nachmanides) notes that Pharaoh assumed the midwives were Egyptian, as he addresses them directly without suspicion of their loyalty to Bnei Yisrael. The Midrash (Shemot Rabbah 1:13) suggests that Pharaoh, despite his cruelty, was initially deceived by their wisdom and piety, thinking they would obey him.

Divine Reward for the Midwives

The next verse (Shemot 1:20) states that Hashem rewarded the midwives for their bravery. The Talmud (Sotah 11b) teaches that their reward was the establishment of the "houses" of Kehunah (priesthood), Leviyah (Levites), and Malchut (kingship), which descended from their lineage.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Sotah 11b
The verse is discussed in the context of the midwives' defiance of Pharaoh's decree to kill the male Hebrew babies, highlighting their righteousness and the divine reward they received.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who were the midwives mentioned in Exodus 1:18?
A: According to Rashi and the Midrash (Sotah 11b), the midwives were Shifra and Puah. Some opinions say they were Jewish women (possibly Yocheved and Miriam), while others suggest they were Egyptian women who converted or feared G-d. Their names indicate their roles: 'Shifra' means 'improver' (she improved the newborns' condition), and 'Puah' refers to soothing cries (she calmed the babies).
Q: Why did Pharaoh ask the midwives why they saved the boys?
A: Pharaoh had ordered the midwives to kill all newborn Israelite boys (Exodus 1:16), but they disobeyed out of fear of G-d (Exodus 1:17). When Pharaoh saw the Israelite population growing, he confronted them. The Talmud (Sotah 11b) explains that the midwives cleverly avoided killing the babies by arriving late or assisting births before Pharaoh's agents arrived.
Q: What lesson do we learn from the midwives' actions in this verse?
A: The midwives teach the importance of fearing G-d more than human authority. Despite Pharaoh's decree, they prioritized morality and kindness (chesed). The Rambam (Hilchot Yesodei HaTorah 5:1-3) discusses how one must be willing to sacrifice rather than violate Torah principles. Their bravery set the stage for the Exodus and shows how individual righteousness can change history.
Q: How did the midwives justify not killing the babies?
A: The verse continues (Exodus 1:19) that the midwives told Pharaoh Hebrew women were more vigorous than Egyptian women and gave birth before they arrived. Rashi explains this was a diplomatic answer to avoid punishment. The Midrash (Exodus Rabbah 1:15) adds that G-d rewarded them with houses of priesthood and royalty (the lineages of Aharon and David) for their righteousness.
Q: Why does the Torah emphasize that they 'saved the boys alive'?
A: The phrase highlights the midwives' active choice to preserve life (opposite Pharaoh's genocidal decree). The Talmud (Kiddushin 30b) derives from here that saving a life overrides almost all mitzvot. It also foreshadows Moshe's survival—the boy who would ultimately redeem Israel was saved through similar acts of defiance against Pharaoh's orders.