Exodus 1:20 Meaning and Explanation
“Therefore God dealt well with the midwives: and the people multiplied, and waxed very mighty.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →God blesses the midwives for their faith, and the Hebrew people continue to multiply and grow strong.
The Context of Exodus 1:20
God blesses the midwives' faithfulness; the Hebrew population continues to thrive.
What Does Exodus 1:20 Mean?
God rewards faithfulness. The midwives' decision to honor God over Pharaoh brings blessing not only to themselves but to the entire Hebrew nation. The people multiply and wax mighty—growth continues unabated. God's covenant blessing is at work even in the midst of oppression and attempted genocide. The midwives' courage enabled the survival of a generation, preserving the people whom God would eventually deliver.
This verse affirms a spiritual truth: obedience to God, even in the face of human power and threat, results in blessing. The midwives did not see the full outcome when they refused to kill the infants, yet they acted in faith. Their action becomes a hinge point in history—the male children they saved will become leaders and warriors of the exodus generation, including Moses.
Exodus 1:20 in the Original Language
dealt well (וַיַּעַשׂ לָהֶן בָּתִּים way·ya'aś lāhem bāttîm) — God 'made houses' for the midwives (see next verse), establishing their families and legacy; the phrase reflects covenant blessing.
Frequently Asked Questions About Exodus 1:20
What does Exodus 1:20 mean?
God blesses the midwives for their faith, and the Hebrew people continue to multiply and grow strong.
What is the context of Exodus 1:20?
God blesses the midwives' faithfulness; the Hebrew population continues to thrive.