Why Did the Midwives Get Houses?
After Shiphrah and Puah go against Pharaoh’s orders and allow Hebrew children to live, Exodus 1:21 states, “And it was that the midwives revered God, and he made for them houses.” This reference to “houses” (בָּתִּים; batim) could designate the women’s God-given descendants, families, or clans. Since the precise meaning of “houses” is uncertain, interpreters tend to focus on defining the term rather than attending to its function within the broader narrative. However, the deeper theological import of these “houses” resides in their foreshadowing of the Israelites’ ultimate exodus from Egypt and God’s providential care for the chosen people.
Pharaoh tells the midwives to kill Hebrew boys, “but the midwives revered God, and did not do as the king of Egypt spoke to them, but let the children live” (Exodus 1:17). In response, God “made for them houses” (1:21). Though the original Hebrew refers to God creating “houses” (בָּתִּים; batim), most English translations say that the midwives received “families” (e.g., ESV, CSB, NIV) or “households” (ASV, CEB, NKJV). There is merit to these translations, since the same word for “house” (בַּיִת; bayit) appears in the immediate context with reference to families or clans. Exodus 1 begins, “And these are the names of the children of Israel who came into Egypt with Jacob, a man and his household (בֵיתוֹ; beito)” (1:1). Here, בַּיִת means “household” or “family.” Exodus 2 begins, “And a man of the house of Levi (מִבֵּית לֵוִי; mibet levi) went and took a daughter of Levi” (2:1). In this case, בַּיִת refers to the familial heritage of Levi. Thus, it is likely that the “houses” for Shiphrah and Puah include descendants and an ongoing hereditary line.
Beyond the definition of “house,” however, there is a more significant aspect to the batim for Hebrew women who saved the children of Israel. Pharaoh tells Shiphrah and Puah, “If he is a son (בֵּן; ben), you shall put him to death, but if she is a daughter (בַּת; bat), she shall live.” In refusing this demand, the midwives watch over Hebrew sons and daughters to ensure that they are not stolen from their parents through infanticide. In return, the Hebrew women are given secure houses. This positive outcome contrasts with the negative scenario for Egyptian women prior to the exodus. At the burning bush, God tells Moses, “Each [Egyptian] woman will ask of her neighbor, and any sojourner of her house (בֵּיתָהּ; beitah), for silver and gold jewelry, and for clothing. And you [Hebrews] shall put them on your sons and on your daughters (עַל־בְּנֵיכֶם וְעַל־בְּנֹתֵיכֶם), so you shall plunder the Egyptians” (Exodus 3:22). Whereas Hebrew women protect children and are given houses, the valuables in Egyptian women’s houses are given to the very sons and daughters that the midwives protected! In this way, Pharaoh’s malevolent behavior comes back to plague his people when God brings Israel out of Egypt.
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