Acts 7:2

Translations

Modern

And Stephen declared: “Brothers and fathers, listen to me! The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham while he was still in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran,

Traditional

And he said, Men, brethren, and fathers, hearken; The God of glory appeared unto our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Charran,

Literal

And he began to speak: “Men, brothers and fathers, listen! The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham, being in Mesopotamia before his dwelling in Haran,

Latin

Qui ait: Viri fratres et patres, audite: Deus gloriæ apparuit patri nostro Abrahæ cum esset in Mesopotamia, priusquam moraretur in Charan,

Interlinear

Greek

English

And Stephen declared: “Brothers and fathers, listen to me! The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham while he was still in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran,

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

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

Events

Stephen addresses the councilc. AD 30

Related verses

Acts 22:1
“Brothers and fathers, listen now to my defense before you.”
Genesis 11:31
And Terah took his son Abram, his grandson Lot son of Haran, and his daughter-in-law Sarai the wife of Abram, and they set out from Ur of the Chaldeans for the land of Canaan. But when they arrived in Haran, they settled there.
Psalm 29:3
The voice of the LORD is over the waters; the God of glory thunders; the LORD is heard over many waters.
Nehemiah 9:7
You are the LORD, the God who chose Abram, who brought him out of Ur of the Chaldeans and gave him the name Abraham.
Hebrews 1:3
The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His nature, upholding all things by His powerful word. After He had provided purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.
John 1:14
The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Genesis 15:7
The LORD also told him, “I am the LORD, who brought you out of Ur of the Chaldeans to give you this land to possess.”
Revelation 4:11
“Worthy are You, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for You created all things; by Your will they exist and were created.”
Psalm 24:10
Who is He, this King of Glory? The LORD of Hosts—He is the King of Glory. Selah
Acts 23:7
As soon as he had said this, a dispute broke out between the Pharisees and Sadducees, and the assembly was divided.
Genesis 12:1
Then the LORD said to Abram, “Leave your country, your kindred, and your father’s household, and go to the land I will show you.
Genesis 29:4
“My brothers,” Jacob asked the shepherds, “where are you from?” “We are from Haran,” they answered.

Parallels

Genesis 12:1–9

People

Abraham: Patriarch, chosen by God to father His people

Places

Haran: A city in Mesopotamia, associated with Abraham and his family Mesopotamia: The region between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers

Glossary

Abraham Apocalypse of James Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Book of the Acts of the Apostles Brothers (and Sisters) Charran Courts and Trials Genesis, Book of Glory God, Being and Attributes of Haran (Place) Hellenism History of Israel Jerusalem Council Mesopotamia Paul the Apostle Persecution Peter, the Apostle Stephen

Topics

Abraham: Divine Call of Babylon: Formerly a Part of Mesopotamia Court: Accused Spoke in his own Defense Government: Constitutes Mesopotamia: Abraham a Native of Select Readings: Stephen's Defense Syria: Originally Included Mesopotamia

Acts 7:2

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