They were appointed by Pharaoh.
Puah was one of two named midwives of the Hebrews in Egypt. The midwives were ordered by the king of Egypt (Pharoah) to kill all the male infants of the Hebrews at birth. Puah and her colleague Shiphrah defied this command through trickery by saying that the Hebrew women are literally "beasts" (NRSV, "vigorous") who give birth before the midwives can get to them. She is credited for saving Israel by her courage. The king apparently believes her story because he does not punish them. She and Shiphrah are blessed by God with families of their own. This story can be found in Exodus 1:15-21.
They were the women who helped the Hebrew mothers during childbirth. It's from the Bible in Exodus; Exodus 1:15 and following. Their names were Shiphrah and Puah.
Shiphrah and Puah are the midwives that disobeyed Pharaoh's order to kill all the sons born to Jews in Egypt. As noted by Rabbi Telushkin, these women may have committed the first recorded acts of Civil Disobedience. He further notes that the Torah provides the names of these two courageous women, and not the name of the Pharaoh whose murderous order was ignored.
In the Exodus story from the Bible, midwives played a crucial role in saving the Hebrew baby boys from Pharaoh's decree to kill them. The midwives, Shiphrah and Puah, defied Pharaoh's orders and allowed the babies to live, showing courage and compassion in protecting the innocent.
Shiphrah and Puah, the Hebrew midwives, did not obey Pharaoh's decree to kill newborn Hebrew boys because they feared God more than the king. Their moral conviction and commitment to preserving life outweighed their obligation to follow orders that contradicted their ethical beliefs. By defying Pharaoh, they demonstrated courage and integrity, ultimately contributing to the survival of the Hebrew people. Their actions exemplify the importance of standing up against unjust authority.
They were Shifra and Puah, as recorded in the Torah (Exodus ch.2). Note that they weren't the only midwives. Rather, they were the most important and experienced, and served as mentors to the others who aren't named.
The Hebrew Bible mentions more than 2 midwives, but you are probably thinking of Shifra (שפרה) and Puah (פועה)
The Israelite midwives, Shiphrah and Puah, were instructed by Pharaoh to kill all newborn Hebrew boys at birth to control the population of the Israelites. However, they feared God and disobeyed Pharaoh's orders, allowing the boys to live. When questioned by Pharaoh, they claimed that Hebrew women gave birth quickly before they could arrive. Their actions ultimately saved many lives and demonstrated their bravery and faithfulness.
The midwives of the Hebrews, Shipharah and Puah. They refused to kill babies, and God blessed them.
In Exodus 1, the Pharaoh is not named to emphasize the anonymity and universality of oppressive power, highlighting that such rulers can be any tyrant throughout history. In contrast, the midwives, Shiphrah and Puah, are named to celebrate their courage and resistance, showcasing individual morality and the importance of standing up against injustice. This narrative choice underscores the theme of liberation and the significant role of ordinary people in the struggle against oppression.
The name Puah has Hebrew origins and means "a cry of joy" or "to shout." In the Bible, Puah is one of the midwives mentioned in the Book of Exodus who defied Pharaoh's orders to kill Hebrew newborns. The name is often associated with themes of courage, deliverance, and the protection of life.
women needed someone to help them give birth to babies