Without warning Hebrew mid wives, Shiphrah and Puah, are ordered to appear at Pharoah’s palace immediately. The women cannot imagine why the king would be interested in anything they would have to offer him. They are suspicious, but they do not dare disobey the order.

When they arrive at the palace courtyard, Queen Nephre, head wife of Pharoah sees them from her upper story apartment window. She determines to discover the reason Pharoah would call Hebrew women to the palace.

Queen Nephre sends her unusually pretty maid to discover the answer to the riddle. The maid, Titi, who is practiced in the art of gaining information from men, approaches the palace guard at his post and makes a proposal for him in exchange for information. Not wanting to jeopardize his position or his life, the guard makes up a story for Titi to tell the queen.

Meanwhile, Shiphrah and Puah are escorted into a world of unimaginable opulence.  They are welcomed warmly and treated to a feast accompanied by elaborate entertainment. They are told they can live a life of riches if they obey the Pharoah’s orders, but if they refuse, they will watch their children die a horrible death and they will also die.

The midwives leave Pharoah’s Great House confused, shaken and terrified.  How can they betray their people by obeying so horrible a command? But how can they disobey when the penalty is torture and death for their children and themselves?