Shiphrah

Biblical Account

Shiphrah appears only once, in chapter 1 of Exodus. When the children of Israel in Egypt had greatly multiplied, a new king who did not know Joseph grew wary of them and subjected them to hard labor. When the people continued to increase nonetheless, the king summoned the Hebrew midwives Shiphrah and Puah and ordered them to kill any son born to a Hebrew woman but to let any daughter live (Exodus 1:15–16).

The two midwives feared God, disobeyed this order, and let the male infants live (Exodus 1:17). When the king summoned them and asked why, they answered that the Hebrew women, unlike the Egyptian women, were lively and gave birth before the midwife could arrive (Exodus 1:18–19). Scripture records that God dealt well with the midwives and, because they feared God, "made them houses" (Exodus 1:20–21). Afterward the king commanded all his people to cast every Hebrew baby boy into the Nile, and the account of the birth of Moses follows (Exodus 1:22–2:10).

The text says nothing about Shiphrah's origins, family, or later life.

Significance Within Scripture

The story of Shiphrah and Puah stands at the opening of the Exodus narrative as an example of people who feared God and preserved life in defiance of royal power. The episode leads into the account of Moses' survival. Some interpreters note that while the king of Egypt is not named in the text, the names of the two midwives are recorded, in contrast to the nameless ruler.

The New Testament does not mention Shiphrah by name. However, Hebrews 11:23 records that Moses' parents hid the child and "were not afraid of the king's commandment," and this verse is sometimes read alongside the midwives' story, since both describe the preservation of life in defiance of the king's command during the same period.

Interpretation and Debates

• The question of the midwives' lie: Whether the midwives' answer to the king was a lie, and if so whether it was justified, has long been debated. Augustine held that what God rewarded was the midwives' mercy, not their lie, and John Calvin is reported to have taken a similar view, holding that although their answer was at fault, God blessed them in view of their reverence for him. Other interpreters, by contrast, regard a falsehood told to protect life as justified; in such discussions the midwives are often mentioned alongside Rahab, who hid the spies.
• The midwives' nationality: Because the Hebrew phrase translated "Hebrew midwives" can also be read as "midwives to the Hebrews," some interpreters regard them as Egyptian women. The ancient Jewish historian Josephus is reported to have held this view.
• Were there only two?: Because only two midwives are mentioned for so large a population, some suggest that the two women were representatives or overseers of the midwives.
• Later traditions: Some strands of rabbinic Jewish tradition identify Shiphrah with Moses' mother Jochebed and Puah with Miriam. These, however, are later traditions with no basis in the biblical text. The name is commonly interpreted to mean "beauty."

In the Korean Church

In the Korean church, Shiphrah and Puah are presented in sermons as models of faith who feared God rather than men, and they are often cited alongside Acts 5:29, "We ought to obey God rather than men." They are also mentioned in sermons on the sanctity of life and the conscience of believers, as well as in sermons and Bible studies on women in the Bible. In Sunday school, they are usually introduced as part of the background when children learn the story of Moses' birth.