Exodus 1:21 says that God rewarded the midwives because they feared Him, and He gave them families of their own. The verse explains why two Hebrew midwives were blessed at a time when Pharaoh had ordered that Hebrew baby boys be killed. The narrator of Exodus, traditionally attributed to Moses, is the one speaking, and the people reading first were the Israelites who had been enslaved in Egypt.
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” points to the reason behind what happens next. The fear described here is not terror. It is the deep reverence of people who know that God is real and that they answer to Him, even when a king demands something else. Their courage in refusing Pharaoh’s order came from that reverence, and the verse ties their faithfulness to God’s response.
The words “he gave them families” describe God’s reward. In that culture, having a household, children, and a lasting line was among the greatest blessings a woman could have. The verse does not promise that every faithful person will receive the same earthly gift, and it does not claim that obedience always makes life easy. What it does show is that God notices those who fear Him and acts to bless them in ways that matter deeply to them.
The Context of Exodus 1:21
Exodus opens with the Israelites multiplying in Egypt after the death of Joseph, and a new Pharaoh who fears their growing numbers. Pharaoh first forces them into harsh labor, and then orders the midwives to kill every Hebrew boy at birth. The midwives refuse, offering Pharaoh a vague excuse about Hebrew women giving birth quickly. Verse 20 says God dealt well with them, and verse 21 explains that their fear of God led to His blessing. Verse 22 then shows Pharaoh escalating his order to the whole nation.
Read in this setting, the verse is not a general lesson about being rewarded for being good. It is a specific act of resistance by ordinary women against an empire’s cruelty, and God’s favor toward them is part of the larger story of His faithfulness to a people He had promised to multiply. The verse stands as an early sign that God’s purposes would not be stopped by a king’s decree.
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 proverb names the fear of the Lord as the beginning of wisdom. It helps explain why the midwives’ reverence led to wise and courageous action. Read together, the two passages show that fearing God is not a feeling alone but a foundation for how a person lives and decides.
Hebrews 11:23
By faith, Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw that he was a beautiful child, and they were not afraid of the king’s commandment.
(WEB)
This verse recalls the faith of Moses’ parents, who hid him rather than obey Pharaoh’s decree. It shows that the resistance to Pharaoh’s cruelty was shared by many ordinary people. Reading it alongside Exodus 1:21 reveals a pattern of quiet faithfulness that God honors across the story of Israel’s deliverance.
A Short Prayer From Exodus 1:21
Lord, we thank You that You see the people who choose to fear You over the pressures of this world. Give us the courage of the midwives when we are asked to set aside what is right. Teach us to trust You with our families, our work, and the future we cannot yet see. When fear rises, remind us that You are the One who gives life and blessing. Help our small acts of faithfulness to honor You, and let our lives reflect Your steady care. Amen.
