What Does Exodus 1:15 Mean?
Exodus 1:15 describes how the king of Egypt spoke to two Hebrew midwives, Shiphrah and Puah, commanding them to kill newborn Hebrew boys. This moment sets the stage for God’s protection of His people despite oppressive orders. It marks the beginning of a struggle between human cruelty and divine faithfulness, as seen in Exodus 1:15-22.
Exodus 1:15
Then the king of Egypt said to the Hebrew midwives, one of whom was named Shiphrah and the other Puah,
Key Facts
Book
Author
Moses
Genre
Narrative
Date
Approximately 1446 - 1406 BC (traditional date)
Key People
- Pharaoh
- Shiphrah
- Puah
- Hebrew midwives
Key Themes
- Divine protection of the innocent
- Courage in the face of oppression
- Fear of God over human authority
Key Takeaways
- God honors those who fear Him more than rulers.
- Faithful obedience protects life and fulfills God’s purpose.
- Quiet courage can change the course of history.
Pharaoh's Cruel Order and the Midwives' Courage
This verse sets the scene where Pharaoh, afraid of the growing Hebrew population, takes a dark step by speaking directly to the Hebrew midwives.
He commands them to kill every newborn Hebrew boy during childbirth, but to let the girls live. This happens early in Exodus, after the Israelites had multiplied in Egypt but before Moses is born.
The midwives, named Shiphrah and Puah, are the first to resist Pharaoh’s evil plan - not with weapons, but with quiet courage. Their story shows how ordinary people can stand for God’s purposes even when powerful rulers demand something wrong.
Honoring the Courageous Midwives
The fact that the Bible names Shiphrah and Puah is no small detail - it’s a quiet but powerful honor, especially in a culture where being remembered by name often reflected faithfulness to God.
In a time when most women went unnamed in official records, these two are singled out, showing that God sees and values those who stand for what’s right. They feared God more than Pharaoh, and when faced with a command to kill innocent boys, they refused, choosing to honor life instead of power. As Exodus 1:17 says, 'The midwives, however, did not do as the king of Egypt commanded; they let the boys live.'
Their quiet act of defiance reminds us that faithfulness isn’t always loud - sometimes it’s the simple choice to do good when evil demands compliance, and God’s protection follows those who trust Him.
Choosing God Over Pharaoh
The midwives’ decision to obey God instead of Pharaoh shows that faith often means choosing who we truly answer to.
When they refused to kill the baby boys, they made it clear that fearing God matters more than fearing rulers.
Exodus 1:17 says, 'The midwives, however, did not do as the king of Egypt commanded; they let the boys live.' This simple act of obedience to God protected the future of Israel and reminds us that God honors those who stand with Him, even quietly. Their courage fits a pattern we see throughout the Bible - like when Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to bow to a king’s idol, choosing God even at the risk of death.
This story is about a God who protects His people and calls us to trust Him when doing right means opposing the world’s demands. It leads us straight into how God would raise up Moses, the deliverer, from the very babies they saved.
Faithful Resistance and the Way of Jesus
The courage of Shiphrah and Puah, who feared God more than Pharaoh, sets an early example of the righteous resistance that echoes throughout Scripture and ultimately points to Jesus.
They refused a cruel command, like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego later refused to bow to a king’s idol, and as the apostles said, 'We must obey God rather than human beings' (Acts 5:29). Their quiet faithfulness mirrors a pattern where God’s people stand for life and truth, even at great cost.
This same spirit of obedience to God above all powers previews Jesus, who perfectly obeyed the Father even when it led to the cross, showing us that true deliverance comes not through violence or fear, but through faithful love that trusts God to protect and provide.
Application
How This Changes Everything: Real Life Impact
I remember a time when I stayed quiet during a conversation at work because speaking up would have made things awkward. Someone was being unfairly blamed, and I knew it, but I didn’t say a word. Later, I felt the weight of that silence - not guilt over breaking a rule, but grief over missing a chance to do what was right. The story of Shiphrah and Puah hit me differently after that. They weren’t prophets or warriors - just women doing their jobs - yet when faced with a command to destroy life, they chose fear of God over fear of man. Their quiet 'no' protected not only babies but the future of a nation. It reminded me that courage isn’t always loud. Sometimes it’s refusing to go along, even when no one’s watching. And God saw. He honored them. That gives me hope that when I choose faithfulness over comfort, even in small ways, He sees me too.
Personal Reflection
- When have I stayed silent or gone along with something because I was afraid of the consequences of doing what’s right?
- Who in my life represents 'Pharaoh' - a person or pressure that demands I compromise my values - and how can I fear God more than that?
- What small, everyday act of faithfulness could I choose this week that reflects trusting God over human authority?
A Challenge For You
This week, identify one situation where you’re tempted to go along with something just to keep peace or avoid conflict. Instead, choose to do what honors God - even if it’s small, like speaking truth gently or refusing to participate in gossip. Then, thank God that He sees your choice, as He saw Shiphrah and Puah.
A Prayer of Response
God, thank You for Shiphrah and Puah - ordinary women who chose to fear You more than any king. Forgive me when I’ve stayed quiet to avoid trouble or gone along just to fit in. Help me to trust You when doing right feels risky. Give me courage that’s not loud, but steady - a quiet faithfulness that honors You. And remind me, again and again, that You see me, just as You saw them.
Related Scriptures & Concepts
Immediate Context
Exodus 1:14
Describes the increasing oppression of the Israelites, setting the stage for Pharaoh’s extreme measures in verse 15.
Exodus 1:16
Pharaoh’s direct command to kill Hebrew boys reveals the escalation of violence the midwives resist.
Exodus 1:17
Shows the midwives’ refusal to comply, directly following and fulfilling the tension introduced in verse 15.
Connections Across Scripture
Hebrews 11:23
Commends the faith of Moses’ parents who defied Pharaoh to save him, continuing the theme of resisting evil to preserve life.
Matthew 2:16
Herod’s slaughter of infants mirrors Pharaoh’s decree, showing how God continues to protect His chosen deliverers.
James 2:22
Faith working through deeds is exemplified in the midwives’ actions, showing that true faith leads to righteous resistance.