17 But the midwives feared God, and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the men children alive.
17 The midwives, however, feared God and did not do what the king of Egypt had told them to do; they let the boys live.
17 But the midwives feared God and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but let the male children live.
17 But the midwives had far too much respect for God and didn't do what the king of Egypt ordered; they let the boy babies live.
17 But the midwives feared God, and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the male children alive.
17 But because the midwives feared God, they refused to obey the king's orders. They allowed the boys to live, too.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Exodus 1:17
Commentary on Exodus 1:15-22
(Read Exodus 1:15-22)
The Egyptians tried to destroy Israel by the murder of their children. The enmity that is in the seed of the serpent, against the Seed of the woman, makes men forget all pity. It is plain that the Hebrews were now under an uncommon blessing. And we see that the services done for God's Israel are often repaid in kind. Pharaoh gave orders to drown all the male children of the Hebrews. The enemy who, by Pharaoh, attempted to destroy the church in this its infant state, is busy to stifle the rise of serious reflections in the heart of man. Let those who would escape, be afraid of sinning, and cry directly and fervently to the Lord for assistance.