Midwifery
Summary
The practice of assisting women during childbirth, an ancient occupation referenced in Scripture during patriarchal and Egyptian periods.
☩Ancient Practice
Parturition in the East was usually easy, reducing the regular need for professional midwives. The office was often performed by relatives when necessary. Duties included dividing the umbilical cord, washing the infant in water, salting with salt, and swathing in swaddling clothes (Ezekiel 16:4).
☩The Birthstool
A special double-round form of birthstool called obhnayim was used by Hebrew midwives. Egyptian paintings at the palace of Luxor depict Queen Mautmes seated upon a similar stool during childbirth, attended by midwives. The modern Egyptian practice exactly mirrors this ancient custom, with the 'Layeh' (midwife) conveying to the house the 'kursi elwiladeh,' a chair of peculiar form.
☩The Hebrew Midwives
During the Egyptian bondage, two midwives—Shiphrah and Puah—attended Hebrew women (Exodus 1:15-22). They were probably superintendents of the whole class of midwives. When Pharaoh commanded them to kill male Hebrew infants, they refused, fearing God more than the king. Their courageous disobedience preserved Moses and countless others, and God blessed them for their faithfulness.
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Midwife," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. VI (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Midwife," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. III (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 3.Matthew George Easton, "Midwife," in Easton's Bible Dictionary (T. Nelson and Sons, 1897).