Acts 7:11

Modern

Then famine and great suffering swept across Egypt and Canaan, and our fathers could not find food.

Traditional

Now there came a dearth over all the land of Egypt and Chanaan, and great affliction: and our fathers found no sustenance.

Literal

And there was a famine upon all Egypt and Canaan, and great affliction, and our fathers were not finding sustenance.

Latin

Venit autem fames in universam Ægyptum et Chanaan, et tribulatio magna: et non inveniebant cibos patres nostri.

Greek

English

Then famine and great suffering swept across Egypt and Canaan, and our fathers could not find food.

Stephen answered the accusations by speaking about his Lord (see Luke 21:12–17). Instead of defending himself, he became a witness in God's legal case against them. This revealed how contrary they were and their lack of loyalty. Stephen gave a history of Israel's past and reminded them of their repeated rejections of those who announced God's messages.
Stephen's review of Israel's history has three main parts:
1. The work of the patriarchs. This refers to Abraham and those descended from him who founded the nation of Israel (Acts 7:2–16).
2. The ministry of Moses (7:17–43).
3. The role of the tabernacle and the temple (7:44–50).
  Stephen ended his historical survey with a strong criticism of his people's lack of obedience. Like a prophet, he challenged them to stop resisting the Holy Spirit. He told them to turn to God with grief for their sins (repentance) and faith.

Theme notes and profiles

Genesis 41:54–57
…the seven years of famine began, just as Joseph had said. And although there was famine in every country, there was food throughout the land of Egypt.
Genesis 42:5
So the sons of Israel were among those who came to buy grain, since the famine had also spread to the land of Canaan.
Psalm 105:16
He called down famine on the land and cut off all their supplies of food.
Genesis 43:1
Now the famine was still severe in the land.
Genesis 47:13–15
There was no food, however, in all that region, because the famine was so severe; the lands of Egypt and Canaan had been exhausted by the famine.
Genesis 45:5–6
And now, do not be distressed or angry with yourselves that you sold me into this place, because it was to save lives that God sent me before you.
Genesis 45:11
And there I will provide for you, because there will be five more years of famine. Otherwise, you and your household and everything you own will come to destitution.’

Canaan: Ancient region; descendants of Ham; promised to Abraham's descendants Egypt: Ancient nation; Israelites enslaved there; plagues and Exodus