Shiphrah and Puah] That these were Egyptian and not Hebrew midwives is conceived by their answer, vers. 19. wherein they speake of the Hebrews, as differing from themselves: but some rather thinke, they were Hebrew midwives: because it is not like (say they) that the Hebrews would admit of those that were Egyptians at their labour, and that to have obtruded such upon them, would soone have discovered that the male children were made away by tho Kings command: yet that seemes mor probable, then that the Hebrew women should either for feare, or hire, be drawn to destroy all the males that were born of their own people: and though these midwives be said to feare God, vers. 17. that phrase doth not necessarily inferre that they were right in Religion, as we see Jonah 1:16. But the greatest doubt is, why these are mentioned, and none else? why two and no more? The question is not easily resolved: some conceive these midwives were such as were of note, and use in noble families, and so might do cruell execution upon the chief of all the Hebrew children: but the Egyptians made no such difference of the Hebrews how noble soever some were by birth, they were all made base by slavish servitude: yet these midwives might be Mistresses of that art, and so by them others might receive that charge, which they received from the King, and they might receive it from him being much imployed by the women of his Court.