Exodus 1:16 Meaning and Explanation
“And he said, When ye do the office of a midwife to the Hebrew women, and see them upon the stools; if it be a son, then ye shall kill him: but if it be a daughter, then she shall live.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Pharaoh commands the midwives to kill every Hebrew male child at birth but spare females.
The Context of Exodus 1:16
Pharaoh's command to the midwives to commit infanticide against Hebrew male children.
What Does Exodus 1:16 Mean?
Pharaoh's command is direct and brutal: murder. When attending Hebrew births, the midwives are to kill boys but allow girls to live. The logic is genocidal—eliminate half the population (the males who could grow into warriors and rebels) while sparing the females (who will provide continuity and remain subjugated). It is a calculated attempt to destroy Hebrew manhood and future military capacity.
This order places the midwives in an impossible moral position. They are being asked to betray their calling and their people simultaneously. The command reveals Pharaoh's desperation; he has moved from oppression to attempted genocide. Yet the very specificity and reliance on the midwives' cooperation creates an opportunity for resistance and moral witness.
Frequently Asked Questions About Exodus 1:16
What does Exodus 1:16 mean?
Pharaoh commands the midwives to kill every Hebrew male child at birth but spare females.
What is the context of Exodus 1:16?
Pharaoh's command to the midwives to commit infanticide against Hebrew male children.