Bible Dictionaries
Midwife

Holman Bible Dictionary

Woman who assists in the delivery of a child (Exodus 1:15-21 ). The duties of the midwife likely included cutting the umbilical cord, washing and salting the babe, and wrapping the child in cloths (Ezekiel 16:4 ). The civil disobedience of the Hebrew midwives Siphrah and Puah confounded Pharaoh's plan to exterminate male Hebrews for a time (Exodus 1:15-21 ). Their faithfulness was rewarded with families of their own (Exodus 1:21 ), suggesting that childless women frequently served as midwives. The women of Ruth 4:14-17 and 1 Samuel 4:20 were likely serving as midwives.