Acts 7:17

Translations

Modern

As the time drew near for God to fulfill His promise to Abraham, our people in Egypt increased greatly in number.

Traditional

But when the time of the promise drew nigh, which God had sworn to Abraham, the people grew and multiplied in Egypt,

Literal

Now as the time of the promise that God swore to Abraham was drawing near, the people increased and multiplied in Egypt,

Latin

Cum autem appropinquaret tempus promissionis quam confessus erat Deus Abrahæ, crevit populus, et multiplicatus est in Ægypto,

Interlinear

Greek

English

As the time drew near for God to fulfill His promise to Abraham, our people in Egypt increased greatly in number.

Notes

Acts 7:1–53

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

Moses Simon Peter Stephen The Jewish High Council Encounters with Jesus Fearing People Persecution The Exodus as History The Holy Spirit’s Presence The Righteous Suffer

Events

Stephen addresses the councilc. AD 30

Related verses

Exodus 1:7–12
…but the Israelites were fruitful and increased rapidly; they multiplied and became exceedingly numerous, so that the land was filled with them.
Acts 13:17
The God of the people of Israel chose our fathers. He made them into a great people during their stay in Egypt, and with an uplifted arm He led them out of that land.
Psalm 105:24–25
And the LORD made His people very fruitful, more numerous than their foes,
Genesis 15:13–16
Then the LORD said to Abram, “Know for certain that your descendants will be strangers in a land that is not their own, and they will be enslaved and mistreated four hundred years.
Acts 7:6
God told him that his descendants would be foreigners in a strange land, and that they would be enslaved and mistreated four hundred years.
Exodus 1:20
So God was good to the midwives, and the people multiplied and became even more numerous.
2 Peter 3:8–9
Beloved, do not let this one thing escape your notice: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.

Parallels

Exodus 1:8–22

People

Abraham: Patriarch, chosen by God to father His people

Places

Egypt: Ancient nation; Israelites enslaved there; plagues and Exodus

Glossary

Apocalypse of James Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Book of the Acts of the Apostles Circumcision Courts and Trials Hellenism Jerusalem Council Paul the Apostle Persecution Peter, the Apostle Stephen

Topics

Court: Accused Spoke in his own Defense Government: Constitutes Israel: Number of, at the Time of the Exodus Select Readings: Stephen's Defense The Promises of God: Are: Performed in Due Season

Acts 7:17

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