Exodus 1:21

Linguistic Bible Translation from Source Texts

And because the midwives feared God, he gave them families of their own.

📖 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

Other Translations

• King James Version 1769 (Standard Version)

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

• KJV1611 – Modern English

  And it came to pass, because the midwives feared God, that he gave them families.

• King James Version 1611 (Original)

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

• American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

  And it came to pass, because the midwives{H3205} feared{H3372} God,{H430} that he made{H6213} them households.{H1004}

• King James Version with Strong's Numbers

  And it came to pass, because the midwives{H3205}{(H8764)} feared{H3372}{(H8804)} God{H430}, that he made{H6213}{(H8799)} them houses{H1004}.

• Tyndale Bible (1526/1534)

  And because the mydwiues feared God, he made them houses.

• Coverdale Bible (1535)

  And for so moch as the mydwyues feared God, he made them houses.

• Geneva Bible (1560)

  And because ye midwiues feared God, therefore he made them houses.

• Bishops' Bible (1568)

  And it came to passe, that because the midwifes feared God, he made them houses.

• Authorized King James Version (1611)

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

• Webster's Bible (1833)

  It happened, because the midwives feared God, that he gave them families.

• Young's Literal Translation (1862/1898)

  and it cometh to pass, because the midwives have feared God, that He maketh for them households;

• American Standard Version (1901)

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

• American Standard Version (1901)

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

• Bible in Basic English (1941)

  And because the women who took care of the Hebrew mothers had the fear of God, he gave them families.

• World English Bible (2000)

  It happened, because the midwives feared God, that he gave them families.

• NET Bible® (New English Translation)

  And because the midwives feared God, he made households for them.

Referenced Verses

• 1 Sam 2:35 : 35 Then I will raise up for Myself a faithful priest, who will do according to what is in My heart and in My mind. I will build him a sure house, and he will walk before My anointed one forever.
• 1 Kgs 11:38 : 38 If you listen to all that I command you and walk in My ways, doing what is right in My eyes by keeping My statutes and commands, as My servant David did, then I will be with you. I will build you a sure house, as I built for David, and I will give Israel to you.
• 1 Kgs 2:24 : 24 'And now, as surely as the LORD lives—the one who has established me, seated me on the throne of my father David, and made me a dynasty as He promised—Adonijah shall be put to death today!'
• 2 Sam 7:27-29 : 27 For you, O LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, have revealed this to your servant, saying, 'I will build you a house.' Therefore your servant has found courage to pray this prayer to you. 28 And now, O Lord GOD, you are God, and your words are truth, and you have promised this good thing to your servant. 29 Now therefore, please bless the house of your servant, that it may continue forever before you. For you, O Lord GOD, have spoken, and with your blessing shall the house of your servant be blessed forever.
• Ps 127:1 : 1 Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen stay awake in vain.
• Ps 127:3 : 3 Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord; the fruit of the womb is a reward.
• Prov 24:3 : 3 By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established.
• Eccl 8:12 : 12 Although a sinner does evil a hundred times and lives a long time, I know that it will be well with those who fear God, who honor Him.
• Jer 35:2 : 2 Go to the house of the Rechabites, speak to them, bring them into the house of the LORD, to one of the chambers, and offer them wine to drink.
• 1 Sam 25:28 : 28 Please forgive the offense of your servant, for the Lord will certainly make a lasting dynasty for my lord, because my lord fights the Lord’s battles, and no wrongdoing will be found in you as long as you live.
• 2 Sam 7:11-13 : 11 from the time that I appointed judges over my people Israel. And I will give you rest from all your enemies. Moreover, the LORD declares to you that the LORD will make you a house. 12 When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your own body, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.
• Ps 37:3 : 3 Trust in the LORD and do what is good; dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness.