Acts 7:42

Translations

Modern

But God turned away from them and gave them over to the worship of the host of heaven, as it is written in the book of the prophets: ‘Did you bring Me sacrifices and offerings forty years in the wilderness, O house of Israel?

Traditional

Then God turned, and gave them up to worship the host of heaven; as it is written in the book of the prophets, O ye house of Israel, have ye offered to me slain beasts and sacrifices by the space of forty years in the wilderness?

Literal

But God turned away and delivered them to worship the host of heaven, as it has been written in the book of the prophets: ‘Did you offer slain beasts and sacrifices to Me forty years in the wilderness, O house of Israel?

Latin

Convertit autem Deus, et tradidit eos servire militiæ cæli, sicut scriptum est in libro prophetarum: Numquid victimas et hostias obtulistis mihi annis quadraginta in deserto, domus Israël?

Original

Greek

English

But God turned away from them and gave them over to the worship of the host of heaven, as it is written in the book of the prophets: ‘Did you bring Me sacrifices and offerings forty years in the wilderness, O house of Israel?

Notes

Acts 7:42–43

This passage quotes Amos 5:25–27 (Greek version) to show how the people of Israel rebelled against Moses (Acts 7:39–41).

Molech was a Canaanite god to whom human sacrifices were offered (Leviticus 18:21; 20:2–5; 1 Kings 11:7; 2 Kings 23:10; Jeremiah 32:35).

Rephan, a star god identified with the planet Saturn, was worshiped by the Israelites during their wilderness wanderings.

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

Amos 5:25–26
Did you bring Me sacrifices and offerings forty years in the wilderness, O house of Israel?
Ezekiel 20:39
And as for you, O house of Israel, this is what the Lord GOD says: Go and serve your idols, every one of you. But afterward, you will surely listen to Me, and you will no longer defile My holy name with your gifts and idols.
Jeremiah 19:13
The houses of Jerusalem and the houses of the kings of Judah will be defiled like that place, Topheth—all the houses on whose rooftops they burned incense to all the host of heaven and poured out drink offerings to other gods.”
Psalm 81:11–12
But My people would not listen to Me, and Israel would not obey Me.
Romans 1:24–28
Therefore God gave them over in the desires of their hearts to impurity for the dishonoring of their bodies with one another.
Hebrews 3:15–17
As it has been said: “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts, as you did in the rebellion.”
Isaiah 63:10
But they rebelled and grieved His Holy Spirit. So He turned and became their enemy, and He Himself fought against them.
Deuteronomy 4:19
When you look to the heavens and see the sun and moon and stars—all the host of heaven—do not be enticed to bow down and worship what the LORD your God has apportioned to all the nations under heaven.
Job 31:26–28
…if I have beheld the sun in its radiance or the moon moving in splendor,
2 Thessalonians 2:10–12
…and with every wicked deception directed against those who are perishing, because they refused the love of the truth that would have saved them.
Ezekiel 8:16
So He brought me to the inner court of the house of the LORD, and there at the entrance to the temple of the LORD, between the portico and the altar, were about twenty-five men with their backs to the temple of the LORD and their faces toward the east; and they were bowing to the east in worship of the sun.
Hosea 4:17
Ephraim is joined to idols; leave him alone!

Parallels

Exodus 32:1–35 Deuteronomy 9:7–29 Amos 5:16–27

People

Israel: Patriarch, son of Isaac, father of twelve tribes

Glossary

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

Topics

Apostasy: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Court: Accused Spoke in his own Defense Government: Constitutes Idolatry: Objects of Sun, Moon, and Stars Idolatry: Objects of The Heavenly Bodies Select Readings: Stephen's Defense Stars: Worshiped

Acts 7:42

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