The meaning of the Hebrew word translated as birthstool is not certain. In Jer 18.3 it refers to the potter’s wheel. It suggests the meaning of two stones, so it may indicate a kind of “delivery stool” (New International Version) consisting of two stones on which Egyptian women sat or knelt while giving birth. The context is clear enough, however, so it is possible to translate the intended meaning as in New English Bible, “watch as the child is delivered.” Good News Translation omits the entire phrase, and see them upon the birthstool, leaving this information implicit.

You shall kill him and she shall live are both commands. Therefore it may be necessary to translate “you shall not kill her” or “let her live” (New English Bible). The “it” in Good News Translation refers to “the baby,” whether boy or girl.

In some languages it will be helpful to place “he said to them” (Good News Translation) at the beginning of the verse, as suggested in the comment at verse 15. An alternative model, then, for the verse is the following:

• He said to them, “When you help the Hebrew women bear children, if you see that the baby is a male, kill it. But if the baby is a girl, let it live.”

Quoted with permission from Osborn, Noel D. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Exodus. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1999. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .