Shiphrah & Puah: The Midwives Who Feared God

Shiphrah & Puah: The Midwives Who Feared God

Shiphrah and Puah stand among the earliest heroes of Exodus. These Hebrew midwives defied Pharaoh’s decree to kill all Hebrew baby boys, choosing to obey God rather than man. Their quiet courage preserved life and prepared the way for Israel’s deliverance.

Name & Etymology

The name Shiphrah (שִׁפְרָה, Šip̄rāh, pronounced shif-rah) means “fair” or “beautiful.” Puah (פּוּעָה, Pūʿāh, pronounced poo-ah) means “splendid” or “brilliance.” Both names reflect beauty and brightness, fitting for women who brought life and light into a dark time.

In the Septuagint (LXX), their names appear as Σεπφωρα (Sepphōra) for Shiphrah and Φουα (Phoua) for Puah. Their inclusion by name is significant — rare for women in ancient genealogies — highlighting their importance.

Biblical Narrative (The Story)

Their story is told in Exodus 1:15–21.

• Pharaoh’s Decree: “Then Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, gave this order to the Hebrew midwives, Shiphrah and Puah: ‘When you help the Hebrew women as they give birth, watch as they deliver. If the baby is a boy, kill him; if it is a girl, let her live’” (Exodus 1:15–16, NLT).

• Courageous Refusal: “But because the midwives feared God, they refused to obey the king’s orders. They allowed the boys to live, too” (Exodus 1:17, NLT).

• God’s Reward: When confronted, they replied that Hebrew women were vigorous and gave birth before they arrived. God honored their faithfulness: “And because the midwives feared God, he gave them families of their own” (Exodus 1:21, NLT).

Historical & Cultural Context

Midwives in ancient Egypt served a critical role in childbirth and family survival. Pharaoh’s order was not only brutal but also a direct assault on God’s promise to multiply Abraham’s descendants. Shiphrah and Puah’s defiance is among the earliest recorded acts of civil disobedience for the sake of life.

Character & Themes

Shiphrah and Puah embody courage, faith, and the fear of God over man. They risked their lives to protect newborns, demonstrating that obedience to God’s moral law outweighs obedience to human commands.

Connection to Christ

Their protection of innocent life foreshadows Christ, who as an infant was also threatened by a king’s decree when Herod sought to kill the children of Bethlehem (Matthew 2:16). Just as God preserved Moses through these women, He preserved Jesus to become the Deliverer of all.

Theological Significance

Their story highlights the principle of obeying God rather than men (Acts 5:29). It affirms the sanctity of life and shows that ordinary people can play decisive roles in God’s redemptive plan.

Myths & Misconceptions

• Myth: The midwives lied and were blessed for lying.

  
  

  Truth: Scripture commends their fear of God and their protection of life. Their explanation to Pharaoh may have been strategic but is celebrated as faith-driven courage.

• Myth: Their role was minor.

  
  

  Truth: Their defiance was a critical first step in the Exodus story, preserving the generation from which Moses would come.

Application

Shiphrah and Puah challenge us to stand for life and righteousness even when it is costly. Their example calls believers to courageous obedience and trust in God’s protection when facing unjust commands.

Conclusion

Shiphrah and Puah, two humble midwives, changed history by fearing God above a king. Their bravery preserved the children of Israel and set the stage for deliverance. Their story reminds us that God often works through ordinary people with extraordinary courage.