Exodus 1:21

American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

And it came to pass, because the midwives feared God, that he made them households.

📖 Grammatical Analysis

Original Text

וַיְהִ֕י כִּֽי־יָֽרְא֥וּ הַֽמְיַלְּדֹ֖ת אֶת־הָאֱלֹהִ֑ים וַיַּ֥עַשׂ לָהֶ֖ם בָּתִּֽים׃

Transliteration

And way-hî because yārəʾû the məyallədōt ʾet the ʾělōhîm and way-yaʿaś for them bāttîm

Grammar Details

• וַיְהִ֕י: conjunction *wə-* + verb, Qal imperfect, 3rd masculine singular, vav-consecutive - 'and it happened'
• כִּֽי־יָֽרְא֥וּ: conjunction + verb, Qal perfect, 3rd common plural - 'because they feared'
• הַֽמְיַלְּדֹ֖ת: definite article + participle, feminine plural, Piel - 'the midwives'
• אֶת־הָאֱלֹהִ֑ים: direct object marker + definite article + noun, masculine plural - 'God'
• וַיַּ֥עַשׂ: conjunction *wə-* + verb, Qal imperfect, 3rd masculine singular, vav-consecutive - 'and he made'
• לָהֶ֖ם: preposition + 3rd masculine plural suffix - 'for them'
• בָּתִּֽים: noun, masculine plural - 'houses'

Word Meanings

• *way-hî*: and it happened, came to pass
• *yārəʾû*: they feared, revered, stood in awe of
• *way-yaʿaś*: he made, established, built
• *bāttîm*: houses, households, families, dynasties

Referenced Verses

• 1 Sam 2:35 : 35 And I will raise me up a faithful priest, that shall do according to that which is in my heart and in my mind: and I will build him a sure house; and he shall walk before mine anointed for ever.
• 1 Kgs 11:38 : 38 And it shall be, if thou wilt hearken unto all that I command thee, and wilt walk in my ways, and do that which is right in mine eyes, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as David my servant did; that I will be with thee, and will build thee a sure house, as I built for David, and will give Israel unto thee.
• 1 Kgs 2:24 : 24 Now therefore as Jehovah liveth, who hath established me, and set me on the throne of David my father, and who hath made me a house, as he promised, surely Adonijah shall be put to death this day.
• 2 Sam 7:27-29 : 27 For thou, O Jehovah of hosts, the God of Israel, hast revealed to thy servant, saying, I will build thee a house: therefore hath thy servant found in his heart to pray this prayer unto thee. 28 And now, O Lord Jehovah, thou art God, and thy words are truth, and thou hast promised this good thing unto thy servant: 29 now therefore let it please thee to bless the house of thy servant, that it may continue for ever before thee; for thou, O Lord Jehovah, hast spoken it: and with thy blessing let the house of thy servant be blessed for ever.
• Ps 127:1 : 1 A Song of Ascents; of Solomon. Except Jehovah build the house, They labor in vain that build it: Except Jehovah keep the city, The watchman waketh but in vain.
• Ps 127:3 : 3 Lo, children are a heritage of Jehovah; [And] the fruit of the womb is [his] reward.
• Prov 24:3 : 3 Through wisdom is a house builded; And by understanding it is established;
• Eccl 8:12 : 12 Though a sinner do evil a hundred times, and prolong his [days], yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, that fear before him:
• Jer 35:2 : 2 Go unto the house of the Rechabites, and speak unto them, and bring them into the house of Jehovah, into one of the chambers, and give them wine to drink.
• 1 Sam 25:28 : 28 Forgive, I pray thee, the trespass of thy handmaid: for Jehovah will certainly make my lord a sure house, because my lord fighteth the battles of Jehovah; and evil shall not be found in thee all thy days.
• 2 Sam 7:11-13 : 11 and [as] from the day that I commanded judges to be over my people Israel; and I will cause thee to rest from all thine enemies. Moreover Jehovah telleth thee that Jehovah will make thee a house. 12 When thy days are fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, that shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom for ever.
• Ps 37:3 : 3 Trust in Jehovah, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on [his] faithfulness.