Exodus 1:21 says that God gave families to the midwives because they feared Him. The verse explains why two Hebrew midwives who refused Pharaoh’s order to kill newborn boys were blessed with households of their own. It is spoken by the narrator of Exodus, who is recording the events that took place in Egypt during the rise of the Hebrew people.
Because the midwives feared God, he gave them families.
Exodus 1:21 (WEB)
What Exodus 1:21 Means
The phrase “because the midwives feared God” names the reason behind the blessing. The fear described here is reverent respect that puts God above the authority of a king. The midwives were under real pressure from Pharaoh, yet they chose to obey the God who gives life over the ruler who demanded death. Their courage came from their loyalty to Him.
The phrase “he gave them families” tells us what God did in response. The word families refers to households, meaning children and descendants who would carry on their names. In that world, having a family was a deep sign of blessing and security. The verse does not promise wealth, safety from every danger, or freedom from hardship. It shows that God honors people who choose faithfulness when obeying Him is costly.
The Context of Exodus 1:21
The book of Exodus is traditionally attributed to Moses. It was written for the people of Israel, who had grown numerous in Egypt and were now oppressed by a new Pharaoh who feared their strength. Just before this verse, the midwives refuse the king’s command to kill the baby boys, and they explain to Pharaoh that Hebrew women give birth quickly. The Scripture then tells us that God dealt well with them and that the people kept multiplying.
Read in this setting, the verse becomes a direct answer to the cruelty of Pharaoh. Verse 22 shows the king escalating his plan, so verse 21 stands as a reminder that the midwives’ quiet resistance was not forgotten. The reward of families runs against the king’s goal of ending the Hebrew line, which shows that God was at work through ordinary people in a hostile empire.
Key Phrases in Exodus 1:21
Proverbs 9:10
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom. The knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
(WEB)
This verse states directly that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. It deepens the picture from Exodus 1:21 by showing that reverence for God is the foundation for right living, which is exactly what the midwives displayed in their choices.
Acts 5:29
But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.
(WEB)
In this passage, the apostles respond to religious authorities who forbid them to preach by declaring that they must obey God rather than people. It mirrors the midwives’ decision to put God’s ways ahead of a king’s command and shows that the same principle continued in the early church.
A Short Prayer From Exodus 1:21
Lord, you see the pressures we face when obeying you seems risky or inconvenient. Give us a deep reverence for you that outweighs our fear of people and their demands. Help us to choose what is right in the small and large moments of our days, trusting that you honor faithfulness. Shape our homes, our work, and our relationships so that they reflect your goodness. Amen.
