Who Was Shiphrah in the Bible?

Who Was Shiphrah in the Bible?

Shiphrah was a Hebrew midwife in Egypt who defied Pharaoh’s order to kill Hebrew baby boys, as recorded in Exodus 1:15-17.

According to Exodus 1:15-17, Pharaoh commanded Shiphrah and her colleague Puah to kill every Hebrew boy at birth, but the midwives defied this order by preserving the infants’ lives. Their act of disobedience to Pharaoh and obedience to God became a pivotal moment in the early history of Israel.

Shiphrah’s Defiance of Pharaoh’s Order

Exodus 1:15-17 records Shiphrah and Puah’s courageous refusal to carry out Pharaoh’s command to kill Hebrew baby boys.

According to Exodus 1:15-17, Pharaoh instructed the midwives to let the Hebrew women give birth but to kill the male infants immediately. However, Shiphrah and Puah feared God more than they obeyed Pharaoh, choosing instead to preserve the lives of the Hebrew children. Their defiance demonstrated faith in God’s sovereignty and a commitment to His people.

God rewarded their faithfulness by sparing both the Hebrew children and the midwives, allowing the Israelite population to grow. This act of faith set the stage for God’s later deliverance of Israel through Moses, whom Shiphrah and Puah likely helped protect.

What We Can Learn From Shiphrah’s Bravery

Shiphrah’s story reveals how ordinary individuals can demonstrate extraordinary faith by prioritizing obedience to God over human authority.

In Exodus 1:15-17, Shiphrah and Puah risked their lives to protect Hebrew infants, choosing to trust God’s power to preserve and bless His people. Their courage stemmed from a deep conviction that God’s will superseded Pharaoh’s commands, illustrating that faith often requires defiance of unjust systems. By acting with moral integrity, they exemplify how obedience to God can disrupt oppression and foster hope. Their legacy challenges modern readers to courageously align their actions with divine values, even when it demands personal sacrifice or societal resistance.