Shiphrah
Who was Shiphrah in the Bible?
One of two Hebrew midwives in Egypt who defied Pharaoh's command to kill male infants, demonstrating early civil disobedience rooted in the fear of God.
Shiphrah was a Hebrew midwife operating in Egypt during the period of Israelite oppression. Her name is explicitly linked with another midwife, Puah, in the opening chapter of the Book of Exodus. Together, they served as key figures in the preservation of the Hebrew people during a systematic attempt by the Egyptian monarchy to curb the growing Israelite population.
The biblical record identifies Shiphrah specifically within the context of the Egyptian Sojourn. While her genealogical background and personal life are not detailed, her actions are framed as a pivotal moment of resistance against royal tyranny. The account highlights her courage and her priority of divine law over human edicts, marking her as a significant figure in the narrative of the Exodus.
Background and Family
The biblical record for Shiphrah is found exclusively in the first chapter of Exodus. She is identified as one of the "Hebrew midwives" (Exodus 1:15), a designation that has led to scholarly debate regarding whether she was ethnically Hebrew or an Egyptian woman who served the Hebrews. The Hebrew text can be interpreted as "midwives to the Hebrews." However, the narrative focuses on her fear of the God of Israel, aligning her functionally with the covenant community. No specific parents, husband, or children are recorded for Shiphrah within the biblical text, leaving her historical footprint limited to her professional role and her interaction with the Egyptian throne.
Major Life Events
The central event of Shiphrah’s recorded life occurs when the King of Egypt (Pharaoh) summons her and Puah to issue a lethal decree. Concerned by the rapid growth of the Israelite population, Pharaoh commands the midwives to observe the "birthstool" and kill every newborn male, while allowing the females to live.
Shiphrah, however, refuses to comply. The text notes that she "feared God" and therefore did not do as the king commanded (Exodus 1:17). When summoned again to explain why the male children were surviving, Shiphrah and her colleague provided a calculated response: they claimed that Hebrew women were "vigorous" and gave birth before a midwife could arrive. This act of civil disobedience ensured the survival of a generation of Israelite men, including, implicitly, the generation that would include Moses. Because of her faithfulness, the text records that God dealt well with the midwives and "gave them families" (Exodus 1:21), a rare biblical instances of a specific blessing for professional integrity.
Relationship to Other Biblical Figures
Shiphrah is inextricably linked to Puah, with whom she shared the burden of Pharaoh's command and the subsequent risk of execution. She is also positioned as a direct adversary to the unnamed Pharaoh of the oppression. While the text does not record a meeting between Shiphrah and Moses or his mother Jochebed, her actions directly facilitated the environment in which the future deliverer of Israel could be born and survive his earliest days.
Spiritual Significance
The character of Shiphrah serves as a primary biblical archetype for the concept of "the fear of the Lord" as a motivator for ethical action. Her significance lies in her willingness to risk her life to protect the vulnerable. The narrative uses Shiphrah to demonstrate that God’s providence often works through marginalized individuals who possess the moral clarity to oppose injustice. Her story transitions the Book of Genesis—focused on patriarchs—into the Book of Exodus, where the survival of the nation depends on the quiet courage of women.
Shiphrah is biblically significant as the first named individual in the Exodus narrative to engage in non-violent resistance against a state-mandated genocide. Her 'fear of God' is contrasted against the 'fear' the Egyptians felt toward the growing Israelite population, establishing a theme that true power resides with those aligned with divine justice rather than earthly monarchs.
Furthermore, the mention of her name (and Puah's) stands in stark contrast to the Pharaoh, who remains unnamed in the text. This literary technique emphasizes that in the eyes of the biblical narrator, the faithful actions of a midwife are more historically and spiritually relevant than the identity of a pagan emperor.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the name Shiphrah mean?
The name Shiphrah is derived from a Hebrew root meaning 'fairness,' 'beauty,' or 'brightness.'
Was Shiphrah Hebrew or Egyptian?
Exodus 1:15 refers to her as a 'Hebrew midwife.' While some scholars suggest this could mean she was an Egyptian serving Hebrews, most traditional interpretations identify her as a Hebrew woman.
What was Shiphrah's reward for defying Pharaoh?
According to Exodus 1:21, because the midwives feared God, He established 'households' or families for them.
Who was Shiphrah's partner in defying the king?
Her fellow midwife was named Puah; both were summoned together by the King of Egypt.
Categories
Mentions by Book
- Exodus3
Scripture References
All 3 indexed verses, in canonical order, from the Berean Standard Bible.
Exodus · 3
- Exodus 1:15
Then the king of Egypt said to the Hebrew midwives, whose names were Shiphrah and Puah,
- Exodus 1:17Partial
The midwives, however, feared God and did not do as the king of Egypt had instructed; they let the boys live.
Cited as a key verse; added so References, Key Verses and Mentions by Book share one index.
- Exodus 1:21Partial
And because the midwives feared God, He gave them families of their own.
Cited as a key verse; added so References, Key Verses and Mentions by Book share one index.