Exodus 1:22 Meaning and Explanation
“And Pharaoh charged all his people, saying, Every son that is born ye shall cast into the river, and every daughter ye shall save alive.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →After the midwives' refusal, Pharaoh commands all Egyptians to drown every Hebrew male newborn in the Nile.
The Context of Exodus 1:22
Pharaoh commands the Egyptian public to drown all Hebrew male infants in the Nile River.
What Does Exodus 1:22 Mean?
Pharaoh escalates his genocide strategy. Unable to rely on the midwives, he broadcasts an order to the entire Egyptian population: every Hebrew son born must be drowned in the Nile River. This is not a hidden policy but a public command enforced by the state. The order is absolute and applies to all Egypt, not just a few officials. The Nile, which is the lifeblood of Egypt, becomes an instrument of death against Hebrew infants.
This desperate measure represents the full extent of Pharaoh's cruelty and his refusal to relent. Yet it also sets the stage for God's dramatic intervention. The Nile will become the place of deliverance as well as death—Moses will be hidden in the water and later will use it to free his people. Pharaoh's attempt to destroy the nation of Israel through drowning will be answered by God's salvation through the waters of the Red Sea.
Frequently Asked Questions About Exodus 1:22
What does Exodus 1:22 mean?
After the midwives' refusal, Pharaoh commands all Egyptians to drown every Hebrew male newborn in the Nile.
What is the context of Exodus 1:22?
Pharaoh commands the Egyptian public to drown all Hebrew male infants in the Nile River.