פּוּעָה
Puah, an Israelitess
Definition
Puah is the name of one of the two Hebrew midwives who courageously defied Pharaoh's command to kill all newborn Hebrew boys (Exodus 1:15). As a proper noun, it refers specifically to this individual, an Israelitess. The name itself, derived from a root meaning 'to glitter' or 'brilliancy,' may suggest a positive character trait, such as radiance or distinction. Her sole biblical appearance is in the narrative of Israel's oppression in Egypt, where her actions, alongside Shiphrah, directly contribute to God's preservation of His people.
Biblical Usage
The word is used only once in the Old Testament, in Exodus 1:15. It functions strictly as a proper name for one of the two named midwives commanded by the Egyptian king to kill Hebrew male infants at birth. The context is one of oppression and deliverance, placing Puah in a pivotal role of civil disobedience and faithfulness to God over the state.
Etymology
The name Puah (פּוּעָה) is derived from an unused Hebrew root (פוע) meaning 'to glitter,' 'shine,' or 'be brilliant.' This suggests the name carries a sense of 'splendor' or 'radiance.' It is a feminine proper noun, and its etymology implies a positive, distinctive quality attributed to the bearer.
Semantic Range
Puah's story is theologically significant as an example of faithful resistance to unjust authority out of reverence for God (Exodus 1:17, 21). Her actions, motivated by the fear of God rather than Pharaoh, demonstrate how God uses seemingly ordinary individuals to execute His sovereign plan of deliverance. Understanding her role enriches the reading of Exodus by highlighting human agency within divine providence and the theme of God blessing those who protect life.
As a midwife in ancient Egypt, Puah held a trusted, professional role within the Hebrew community. Her defiance was an act of immense personal risk, as she was directly disobeying the sovereign ruler. The fact that she and Shiphrah are named—unlike Pharaoh—elevates their status and memorializes their courage within Israel's salvation history, contrasting the powerless who fear God with the powerful who do not.
Shiphrah (Shifrah, H8237) — The other named Hebrew midwife who acted alongside Puah in Exodus 1:15.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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