Hebrew women are lively] The Hebrew word Haioth which signifieth quicke, or quickning, may note (as the Vugar Latine rendereth it) a skill, quicknesse, or dexterity in doing the office of a midwife, which is many times prevented by the expedition of the birth: and it may be, (as some Rabbines conceive) they might expresse the promptnesse of the Hebrew mothers, in this manner, by a comparison of contempt, (that they might be the lesse suspected by Pharaoh of pitie or partialitie towards them) as if they would have them to be taken to be like unto beasts who (when they bring forth) have no need or use of midwives assistance, they are so quick and lively in their deliverance. But it is most like that the Hebrews (acquainted with the cruell command of the King) might rather make use of their ordinary neighbours, for assistance to travelling women, then commit themselves to the hands of professed midwives of the Egyptian Nation and (if obedient to the Kings command) professed murderers yet it might be true of many of them, that they were delivered, before the midwives came unto them: for those that are laborious (when they are with child) have quicker labour, (when their burden cometh to the birth) then others have. Howsoever this answer of the midwives is diversly censured; for some from their feare of God, mentioned, vers. 17. and the recompence of their pitie vers. 21. inferre, that they made a free and bold profession of their faith, avowing to the face of Pharaoh, (with adventure of their lives) that the power and favour of God was with them, and therefore (notwithstanding the Kings command) they would doe nothing against them: and yet it i generally conceived, that herein (to save the little Jews alive) they told the king an officious lye (as Rahab did, Josh. 2. 5, 6. and David, 1 Samuel 21:2. and Elisha, 2 Kings 6:19.)