Exodus 1:17 - Clarke's commentary and critical notes on the Bible

But the midwives feared God, and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the men children alive. The midwives feared God - Because they knew that God had forbidden murder of every kind; for though the law was not yet given, Exodus 20:13, being Hebrews they must have known that God had from the beginning declared, Whosoever sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed, Genesis 9:6. Therefore they saved the male children of all to whose assistance they were called. See Clarke's note on Exodus 1:19.