Midwives in Egypt, who through the fear of God spared the newborn sons of the Hebrews, contrary to the orders of the king. God rewarded their kindness to his people, though condemning no doubt the untruthfulness of their excuse to the king. He "made them houses," that is, probably gave each of them a numerous family, Ex 1:15-21.
Then said the king of Egypt to the Hebrew midwives, - of whom, the name of the one was, Shiphrah, and, the name of the other Puah; - then he said - When ye act as midwives unto the Hebrew women, then shall ye look out for the sex, - If it is, a son, then shall ye kill it, But, if it is, a daughter, then shall it live. read more. But the midwives feared God, and did not as the king of Egypt spake unto them, - but suffered the male children to live. Then called the king of Egypt for the midwives, and said to them - Wherefore have ye done this thing, that ye should let the male children live? And the midwives said unto Pharaoh. Because not like the Egyptian women, are the Hebrew women, for they are full of life, ere yes the midwife can come in unto them, they have given birth, So then God dealt well with the midwives, - and the people multiplied, and waxed exceeding mighty. And it came to pass, because the midwives feared God, that he made for them households.