The interpretation of the Hebrew word used here is disputed. There are two main explanations:
The Hebrew women give birth more quickly than the Egyptian women.1 This would have been believable to Pharaoh since the Hebrews were multiplying so quickly.
The Hebrew women are more involved in the birthing process than the Egyptian women.2 That is, there is a cultural difference between the birthing practices of Israel and Egypt. The Septuagint translation appears to favor this idea.
In either case, the main point is the same. Whatever the specific reason, the midwives claim that they arrive too late to carry out Pharaoh’s command.
Houtman offers an alternative interpretation. He argues that the word means wild animals,
with the sense that the Israelite women give birth like animals, not needing any help. Since this is a disparaging comment, Pharaoh would not think that the midwives were sympathetic to the Hebrews.3
19 The midwives said to Pharaoh, “Because the Hebrew women are not like the Egyptian women, for they are vigorous and give birth before the midwife comes to them.”