to slay all men children, but to save the daughters of the Hebrew
women alive," for the Egyptians were as much interested
in preserving the female children as in bringing about
the death of the male children. They were very sensual,
and were desirous of having as many women as possible at
their service."

However, the plan, even if it had been carried into execution,
was not wise, for though a man may marry many wives,
each woman can marry but one husband. Thus a diminished
number of men and a corresponding increase in the
number of women did not constitute so serious a menace to
the continuance of the nation of the Israelites as the reverse
case would have been.