34 Bible Verses about Boys

Behold, sons are a heritage of the LORD, and the fruit of the womb is to be desired. As arrows in the hand of a mighty man, so are the young men. Happy is the man that has filled his quiver with them: he shall not be ashamed when he speaks with the enemies in the gate.

So Boaz took Ruth, and she was his wife, and when he went in unto her, the LORD gave her conception, and she bore a son. And the women said unto Naomi, Blessed be the LORD, who has not left thee this day without a redeemer, whose name shall be famous in Israel. And he shall be unto thee a restorer of thy soul and a sustainer in thy old age, for thy daughter-in-law, whom thou doth love, who is better to thee than seven sons, has given birth.read more.
And Naomi took the child and laid it in her bosom and was his nurse. And the women, her neighbours, named him, saying, There is a son born to Naomi, and they called his name Obed. This is the father of Jesse, the father of David.

Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thy house; thy children like olive plants round about thy table. Behold, that thus shall the man be blessed that fears the LORD.

And God said unto Abraham, As for Sarai thy wife, thou shalt not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall her name be. And I will bless her and give thee a son also of her; yea, I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of Gentiles; kings of peoples shall be of her. Then Abraham fell upon his face and laughed and said in his heart, Shall a child be born unto him who is one hundred years old? and shall Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear?read more.
And Abraham said unto God, O that Ishmael might live before thee! And God said, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed, and thou shalt call his name Isaac (laughter); and I will confirm my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant and with his seed after him. And as for Ishmael, I have heard thee: Behold, I shall bless him and will make him fruitful and will multiply him exceedingly; he shall beget twelve princes, and I will make him a great nation. But I will establish my covenant with Isaac, whom Sarah shall bear unto thee at this set time in the next year. And he left off talking with him, and God went up from Abraham.

And the LORD visited Sarah as he had said, and the LORD did with Sarah as he had spoken. For Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age at the set time of which God had spoken to him. And Abraham called the name of his son that was born unto him, whom Sarah bore to him, Isaac.read more.
And Abraham circumcised his son Isaac being eight days old as God had commanded him. And Abraham was one hundred years old when his son Isaac was born unto him. Then Sarah said, God has made me to laugh so that all that hear will laugh with me. And she said, Who would have said unto Abraham, that Sarah should have given children suck? For I have born him a son in his old age.

And there was a certain man of Zorah, of the tribe of Dan, whose name was Manoah, and his wife was barren, (she had never born children). And the angel of the LORD appeared unto this woman and said unto her, Behold now, thou art barren and hast had no children, but thou shalt conceive and bear a son. Now keep thyself and drink no wine nor strong drink and eat no unclean thing.read more.
For thou shalt conceive and bear a son, and no razor shall come on his head, for the child shall be a Nazarite unto God from the womb; and he shall begin to save Israel out of the hand of the Philistines.

And the woman bore a son and called his name Samson. And the child grew, and the LORD blessed him. And the Spirit of the LORD began to manifest himself at times in him in the camps of Dan between Zorah and Eshtaol.

Now there was a certain man of Ramath of Zophim, of Mount Ephraim, and his name was Elkanah, the son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephrathite. And he had two wives; the name of the one was Hannah, and the name of the other Peninnah: and Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children. And this man went up out of his city yearly to worship and to sacrifice unto the LORD of the hosts in Shiloh. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, the priests of the LORD, were there.read more.
And when the day would come, Elkanah would sacrifice, and he would give portions to Peninnah his wife and to all her sons and her daughters. But unto Hannah he would give a worthy portion; for he loved Hannah, even though the LORD had shut up her womb. And her rival provoked her to anger and sorrow because the LORD had shut up her womb. And this would happen year by year when she went up to the house of the LORD, so she would provoke her; therefore, she would weep and not eat. Then Elkanah, her husband, said to her, Hannah, why dost thou weep? And why dost thou not eat? And why is thy heart grieved? Am I not better to thee than ten sons? So Hannah rose up after they had eaten in Shiloh and after they had drunk. Now Eli the priest sat upon a seat by a post of the temple of the LORD. And she was in bitterness of soul and prayed unto the LORD and wept sore; and she vowed a vow and said, O LORD of the hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thy handmaid and remember me and not forget thy handmaid but wilt give unto thy handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life, and no razor shall come upon his head. And it came to pass as she continued praying before the LORD that Eli was observing her mouth. Now Hannah spoke in her heart and only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard; therefore, Eli thought she was drunk. And Eli said unto her, How long wilt thou be drunken? Put away thy wine from thee. And Hannah answered and said, No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit; I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink but have poured out my soul before the LORD. Do not count thy handmaid for a daughter of Belial, for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief I have waited until now to speak. Then Eli answered and said, Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant thee thy petition that thou hast asked of him. And she said, Let thy handmaid find grace in thy sight. So the woman went her way, and ate, and her countenance was no longer sad. And they rose up in the morning early and worshipped before the LORD and returned and came to their house to Ramah. And Elkanah knew Hannah his wife, and the LORD remembered her. Therefore, it came to pass when the time was come about after Hannah had conceived, she bore a son and called his name Samuel, , saying, Because I have asked him of the LORD.

There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia, and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth. And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord, blameless. And they had no child because Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well advanced in years.read more.
And it came to pass that while he executed the priest's office before God in the order of his course, according to the custom of the priest's office, his lot was to burn incense entering into the temple of the Lord. And the whole multitude of the people were praying outside at the time of incense. And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias, for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth. For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb. And he shall turn many of the sons of Israel to the Lord their God. And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children and the rebellious to the prudence of the just, to make ready a prepared people for the Lord. And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years. And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and am sent to speak unto thee and to show thee this gospel. And, behold, thou shalt be dumb and not able to speak until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou didst not believe my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season. And the people waited for Zacharias and marvelled that he tarried so long in the temple. And when he came out, he could not speak unto them; and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple, for he communicated with signs and remained speechless. And it came to pass that as soon as the days of his ministration were accomplished, he departed to his own house. And after those days his wife Elisabeth conceived and hid herself five months, saying, Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he looked on me, to take away my reproach among men.

Now Elisabeth's full time came that she should be delivered and she brought forth a son. And her neighbours and her relatives heard how the Lord had showed great mercy upon her, and they rejoiced with her. And it came to pass that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they called him Zacharias after the name of his father.read more.
And his mother answered and said, Not so, but he shall be called John. And they said unto her, There is none of thy kindred that is called by this name. And they communicated with signs to his father, asking how he would have him called. And he asked for a writing table and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they all marvelled. And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spoke blessing God. And fear came on all that dwelt round about them, and all these things were spoken of throughout all the hill country of Judaea. And all those that heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, Who shall this child be! And the hand of the Lord was with him.

And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee named Nazareth to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David and the virgin's name was Mary. And the angel came in unto her and said, Hail, thou that art much graced, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women.read more.
And when she saw him, she was troubled at his words and wondered in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. Then the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary, for thou hast found grace with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb and bring forth a son and shalt call his name Jesus. He shall be great and shall be called the Son of the Highest, and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David; and he shall reign in the house of Jacob for ever, and of his kingdom there shall be no end. Then Mary said unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Spirit shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee; therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. And, behold, thy relative Elisabeth, she has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren. For with God nothing is impossible. Then Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.

But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in dreams, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife; for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus, for he shall save his people from their sins.

And God said again unto Abraham, Thou shalt keep my covenant therefore, thou and thy seed after thee in their generations. This shall be my covenant, which ye shall keep between me and you and thy seed after thee: Every male among you shall be circumcised. And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin, and it shall be a token of the covenant between me and you.read more.
And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every male in your generations, he that is born in the house or bought with money of any stranger, who is not of thy seed. He that is born in thy house and he that is bought with thy money must needs be circumcised; and my covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant. And the uncircumcised male whose flesh of his foreskin is not circumcised, that person shall be cut off from his people; he has annulled my covenant.

And in the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised.

And it came to pass that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they called him Zacharias after the name of his father.

And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called Jesus, which he was called by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

Hearken, ye sons, unto the chastening of the father, and pay attention that ye might know understanding. For I give you good doctrine; do not forsake my law. For I was my father's son, tender and unique in the sight of my mother.read more.
He taught me and said unto me, Sustain thine heart with my words; keep my commandments, and live.

And thou shalt tell thy son in that day, saying, This is done because of that which the LORD did unto me when he brought me out of Egypt.

And when tomorrow thy son asks thee, saying, What are the testimonies and the statutes and the rights, which the LORD our God has commanded you? Then thou shalt say unto thy son, We were Pharaoh's slaves in Egypt, and the LORD brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand; and the LORD showed signs and wonders, great and sore, in Egypt, upon Pharaoh, and upon all his household, before our eyes;read more.
and he brought us out from there that he might bring us in, to give us the land which he swore unto our fathers. And the LORD commanded us to do all these statutes that we might fear the LORD our God for our good always that he might give us life, as it is at this day. And we shall have justice when we keep ourselves by doing all these commandments before the LORD our God, as he has commanded us.

Hear, O my son, and receive my words, and the years of thy life shall be multiplied. I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have caused thee to walk in right paths. When thou goest in these paths, thy steps shall not be hindered; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble.read more.
Take fast hold of chastening; do not let go; keep this; for it is thy life.

And the child Samuel ministered unto the LORD before Eli. And the word of the LORD was precious in those days; there was no open vision. And it came to pass one day when Eli was lain down in his place, his eyes began to wax dim, that he could not see; and before the lamp of God was put out, Samuel was sleeping in the temple of the LORD, where the ark of God was;read more.
and the LORD called Samuel, and he answered, Here am I. And he ran unto Eli and said, Here am I, for thou didst call me. And he said, I did not call; lie down again. And he went and lay down. And the LORD called Samuel yet again. And Samuel arose and went to Eli and said, Here am I, for thou didst call me. And he answered, I did not call, my son; lie down again. Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, neither had the word of the LORD yet been revealed unto him. And the LORD called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli and said, Here am I, for thou didst call me. Then Eli perceived that the LORD was calling the child. Therefore, Eli said unto Samuel, Go, lie down, and it shall be if he calls thee, that thou shalt say, Speak, LORD, for thy slave hears. So Samuel went and lay down in his place. And the LORD came and stood and called as at the other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy slave hears. And the LORD said unto Samuel, Behold, I will do a thing in Israel, at which both the ears of each one that hears it shall tingle. In that day I will perform against Eli all the things which I have spoken concerning his house; when I begin, I will also make an end. For I have told him that I will judge his house for ever for the iniquity which he knows of (because his sons made themselves vile, and he did not restrain them). And therefore, I have sworn unto the house of Eli that the iniquity of Eli's house shall not be reconciled, not with sacrifices nor with presents for ever. And Samuel lay until the morning and opened the doors of the house of the LORD. And Samuel feared to show Eli the vision. Then Eli called Samuel and said, Samuel, my son. And he answered, Here am I. And he said, What is the word that the LORD has spoken unto thee? I pray thee do not hide it from me. God do so to thee and more also, if thou hide any thing from me of all the word that he spoke unto thee. And Samuel declared all of it to him without hiding any thing. Then he said, It is the LORD; let him do what seems good unto him. And Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him and did not let any of his words fall to the ground. And all Israel from Dan even to Beersheba knew that Samuel was a faithful prophet of the LORD. Thus the LORD appeared again in Shiloh, for the LORD manifested himself to Samuel in Shiloh with the word of the LORD.

And David rose up early in the morning and left the sheep with a keeper and took and went with his burden as Jesse had commanded him, and he came to the trench as the host was going forth in battle array, and they had already sounded the alarm for the battle. For Israel and the Philistines had ordered the battle, army against army. And David left his carriage in the hand of the keeper of the carriage and ran into the army and came and asked about his brethren, if they were well.read more.
And as he talked with them, behold, there came up that man, the Philistine of Gath, Goliath by name, out of the armies of the Philistines, speaking the same words, and David heard them. And all the men of Israel when they saw the man fled from him and feared greatly. And each one of the men of Israel were saying, Have ye seen this man that is come up? He is come up to dishonour Israel. It shall be that the king will enrich the man who overcomes him with great riches and will give him his daughter and make his father's house free in Israel. Then David spoke to the men that stood by him, saying, What shall be done to the man that overcomes this Philistine and takes away the reproach from Israel? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should dishonour the armies of the living God? And the people answered him after this manner, saying, So shall it be done to the man that overcomes him. And Eliab, his eldest brother, heard when he spoke unto the men, and Eliab's anger was kindled against David, and he said, Why didst thou come down here? And with whom hast thou left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know thy pride and the malice of thy heart, for thou art come down that thou might see the battle. And David said, What have I now done? Is there not a cause? And he turned from him toward another and spoke after the same manner, and the people answered him again after the former manner. And the words which David had spoken were heard, and they were rehearsed before Saul, and he sent for him. And David said to Saul, Let no man's heart fail because of him; thy slave will go and fight with this Philistine. And Saul said to David, Thou art not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him, for thou art but a young man, and he a man of war from his youth. And David replied unto Saul, Thy slave was the pastor of his father's sheep, and if a lion or a bear came and took a lamb out of the flock, I went out after him and smote him and delivered it out of his mouth; and if he arose against me, I caught him by his beard and smote him and slew him. Whether it was a lion or a bear thy slave would kill it, and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he has dishonoured the armies of the living God. David said moreover, The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the LORD be with thee. And Saul clothed David with his clothing, and he put a helmet of brass upon his head; he also armed him with a coat of mail. And David girded Saul's sword upon Saul's clothing, and he undertook to go, for he had not proved them. And David said unto Saul, I cannot go with these, for I have not proved them. And putting them off, David took his staff in his hand and chose five smooth stones out of the brook and put them in a shepherd's bag which he had, even in a provision bag, and with his sling in his hand he drew near to the Philistine. And the Philistine came on and drew near unto David, and the man that bore the shield went before him. And when the Philistine looked about and saw David, he disdained him, for he was but a youth and ruddy and of a fair countenance. And the Philistine said unto David, Am I a dog that thou comest to me with staves? And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. And the Philistine said to David, Come to me, and I will give thy flesh unto the fowls of the heaven and to the beasts of the field. Then David said to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword and with a spear and with a shield, but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of the hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast dishonoured. This day the LORD will deliver thee into my hand, and I will smite thee and take thy head from thee, and I will give the carcasses of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the heaven and to the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. And all this congregation shall know that the LORD does not save with sword and spear, for the battle is the LORD's, and he will give you into our hands. And it came to pass when the Philistine arose and came and drew near to meet David that David hastened and ran to do battle against the Philistine. And David put his hand in his bag and took a stone from there and slang it and smote the Philistine in his forehead, that the stone remained sunk into his forehead, and he fell upon his face to the earth. So David overcame the Philistine with a sling and with a stone and smote the Philistine and slew him, but there was no sword in the hand of David. Therefore David ran and stood upon the Philistine and took his sword and drew it out of its sheath and slew him and cut off his head with it. And when the Philistines saw their giant was dead, they fled.

Joash was seven years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Zibiah of Beersheba. And Joash did that which was right in the sight of the LORD all the days of Jehoiada, the priest.

In the seventh year of Jehu, Jehoash began to reign, and he reigned forty years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Zibiah of Beersheba. And Jehoash did that which was right in the sight of the LORD all the time that Jehoiada, the priest, instructed him.

Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem thirty-one years. And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD and walked in the ways of David, his father, and declined neither to the right hand, nor to the left.

Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned thirty-one years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Jedidah, the daughter of Adaiah of Boscath. And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD and walked in all the way of David, his father, and did not turn aside to the right hand or to the left.

And his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast. And having completed the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it.read more.
But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey, and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintances. And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him. And it came to pass that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them and asking them questions. And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. And when they saw him, they were amazed; and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? Behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? Knew ye not that it behooves me to be about my Father's business? And they understood not the word which he spoke unto them.

And it came to pass after these things that the son of the woman, the mistress of the house, fell sick; and his sickness was so severe that there was no breath left in him. And she said unto Elijah, What have I to do with thee, O thou man of God? Art thou come unto me to call my iniquity to remembrance and to cause my son to die? And he said unto her, Give me thy son. And he took him out of her bosom and carried him up into the chamber where he abode and laid him upon his own bed.read more.
And he cried unto the LORD and said, O LORD my God, hast thou even brought evil upon the widow, with whom I sojourn, by killing her son? And he stretched himself upon the child three times and cried unto the LORD and said, O LORD my God, I pray thee, let this child's soul come into him again. And the LORD heard the voice of Elijah, and the soul of the child came into him again, and he revived. And Elijah took the child and brought him down out of the chamber into the house and delivered him unto his mother, and Elijah said, See, thy son lives.

And when Elisha was come into the house, behold, the child was laid dead upon his bed. He went in therefore and shut the door upon both of them and prayed unto the LORD. Then he went up and lay upon the child and put his mouth upon his mouth and his eyes upon his eyes and his hands upon his hands; thus he stretched himself upon the child; and the flesh of the child waxed warm.read more.
Then he returned and walked through the house to and fro and went up and stretched himself upon him again; and the child sneezed seven times, and the child opened his eyes. And he called Gehazi and said, Call this Shunammite. So he called her. And as she was coming in unto him, he said, Take up thy son. Then she entered in and fell at his feet and bowed herself to the ground and took up her son and went out.

And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a certain man, kneeling down to him, and saying, Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is lunatic and suffers miserably; for many times he has fallen into the fire and often into the water. And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him.read more.
Then Jesus answered and said, O unfaithful and crooked generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I suffer you? Bring him here to me. And Jesus rebuked him, and the demon departed out of him and the child was cured from that very hour.

And as he came to the disciples, he saw a great multitude about them and scribes that disputed with them. And straightway all the people, when they beheld him, were greatly amazed, and running to him saluted him. And he asked the scribes, What dispute ye with them?read more.
And one of the multitude answering, said, Master, I have brought unto thee my son, who has a dumb spirit; and wherever he takes him, he tears him, and he foams and gnashes with his teeth and pines away; and I spoke to thy disciples that they should cast him out, and they could not. Answering, he said unto him, O unfaithful generation, how long shall I be with you? How long must I suffer you? Bring him unto me. And they brought him unto him; and when he saw him, straightway the spirit tore him; and he fell on the ground and wallowed foaming. And Jesus asked his father, How long ago is it since this came unto him? And he said, Of a child. And ofttimes it has cast him into the fire and into the waters to kill him, but if thou canst do any thing, help us, having mercy on us. And Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe this, all things are possible to him that believes. And straightway the father of the child crying out with tears, said, Lord, I believe; help thou my unbelief. When Jesus saw that the multitude concurred, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I command thee, come out of him and enter no more into him. Then the spirit, crying out and rending him sore, came out; and he remained as one dead, insomuch that many said that he was dead. But Jesus, taking him by the hand, straightened him up; and he arose.

And it came to pass, that on the next day, when they were come down from the mountain, many people met him. And, behold, a man of the multitude cried out, saying, Master, I beseech thee, look upon my son, for he is my only child. And, behold, a spirit takes him, and he suddenly cries out; and it throws him into convulsions with foaming, and with difficulty it departs from him, bruising him.read more.
And I besought thy disciples to cast him out, and they could not. And Jesus answering said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you and suffer you? Bring thy son here. And as he was yet a coming, the demon threw him down into convulsions; but Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit and healed the child and delivered him again to his father. And they were all amazed at the mighty power of God. But while they all wondered at all the things which Jesus did, he said unto his disciples,

Then Herod, seeing that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth and sent forth and killed all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the borders thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had understood of the wise men.

And the king of Egypt spoke to the Hebrew midwives, one of whom was named Shiphrah and another named Puah; and he said, When ye do the office of a midwife to the Hebrew women and see the sex, if it is a son, then ye shall kill him; but if it is a daughter, then she shall live. But the midwives feared God and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them but gave the men children their lives.read more.
And the king of Egypt called for the midwives and said unto them, Why have ye done this thing and have given the men children their lives? And the midwives said unto Pharaoh, Because the Hebrew women are not as the Egyptian women, for they are lively and are delivered before the midwives come in unto them. Therefore God dealt well with the midwives, and the people multiplied and waxed very mighty. And it came to pass because the midwives feared God, that he made them houses. Then Pharaoh charged all his people, saying, Every son that is born ye shall cast into the river, and every daughter ye shall give them their lives.