שִׁפְרָה
Shiphrah, an Israelitess
Definition
Shiphrah is the name of one of the two Hebrew midwives who courageously defied Pharaoh's genocidal command to kill all newborn Israelite boys, as recorded in Exodus 1:15-21. Her name, meaning 'beauty' or 'fairness,' stands in stark contrast to the ugliness of the decree she resisted. Along with her companion Puah, Shiphrah is remembered for her fear of God, which led her to preserve life, and for her clever response to Pharaoh that the Hebrew women were too vigorous and gave birth before the midwives arrived. God blessed their actions, and the text notes that He provided households for them, a sign of His favor and protection.
Biblical Usage
The name Shiphrah is used only once in the Old Testament, in Exodus 1:15. It appears in the historical narrative of the Israelite oppression in Egypt, specifically in the context of Pharaoh's attempt to control the population by commanding the Hebrew midwives to commit infanticide. Her usage is solely as a proper noun identifying a key, faithful individual in the prelude to the Exodus story.
Etymology
Shiphrah (שִׁפְרָה) is a feminine proper noun derived from the root שָׁפַר (shaphar, H8235), which means 'to be fair or beautiful.' It is the same as the common noun שִׁפְרָה (shiphrah, H8235) meaning 'fairness, beauty, or clearness.' The name is essentially an adjective used as a personal name, a common practice in Hebrew, describing a quality of the person.
Semantic Range
Shiphrah is a significant figure theologically as an exemplar of civil disobedience rooted in the fear of God rather than man. Her story underscores God's providence in preserving the line of the Messiah (through saving the male children) and His blessing upon those who obey Him at great personal risk. Understanding her name ('beauty') highlights the biblical theme that true moral beauty is found in faithful action. Her narrative enriches the reading of Exodus by showing how God works through seemingly minor, faithful individuals to accomplish His redemptive purposes.
As a midwife, Shiphrah held a respected and vital role in ancient Israelite society, assisting in childbirth and women's health. Her defiance of the Egyptian king was an act of immense courage, as she was a subordinate subject defying the absolute monarch of a superpower. The promise of 'households' (Exodus 1:21) likely refers to God granting her children and a lasting family legacy, which was a primary cultural measure of blessing and security for a woman.
Puah (Pûʿâh, H6326) — The other named Hebrew midwife who acted in partnership with Shiphrah.
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.
Full methodology & sources →