What does Exodus 1:15 mean?

Pharaoh's first attempts to decrease the Hebrew population have failed (Exodus 1:12). This introduces a new plan, added in addition to harsh slave labor (Exodus 1:11–14).

A midwife is someone who helps women in the times just before, during, and just after childbirth. Pharaoh, called "king of Egypt," spoke to two Hebrew midwives named Shiphrah and Puah. There were certainly more than just two midwives in Israel, based on the population of the Jews. However, these two may have superintended over others who served Jewish women in childbirth. The two women have Hebrew names and were most likely Jewish themselves. Pharaoh's plan (Exodus 1:16) is murderous. He wants the Hebrew midwives to kill all male Israeli babies as they are born.

The book of Genesis mentioned midwives on two occasions. In Genesis 35:17, a midwife speaks to Rachel as she gives birth to Benjamin and dies. In Genesis 38:28, the midwife tied a scarlet thread around Perez's hand when he came out to indicate which twin was born first. No other mention of midwives occurs beyond Exodus 1, leaving much unknown about their work in Old Testament times. However, these verses reveal the important role of midwives, as well as their faithful response to God when faced with the ungodly demands of an evil political leader (Acts 5:29).