Acts 7:43

Translations

Modern

You have taken along the tabernacle of Molech and the star of your god Rephan, the idols you made to worship. Therefore I will send you into exile beyond Babylon.’

Traditional

Yea, ye took up the tabernacle of Moloch, and the star of your god Remphan, figures which ye made to worship them: and I will carry you away beyond Babylon.

Literal

And you took up the tabernacle of Molech and the star of your god Rephan, the images that you made to worship them; and I will remove you beyond Babylon.’

Latin

Et suscepistis tabernaculum Moloch, et sidus dei vestri Rempham, figuras quas fecistis adorare eas: et transferam vos trans Babylonem.

Original

Greek

English

You have taken along the tabernacle of Molech and the star of your god Rephan, the idols you made to worship. Therefore I will send you into exile beyond Babylon.’

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 5:26–27
You have taken along Sakkuth your king and Kaiwan your star god, the idols you made for yourselves.
Exodus 20:4–5
You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in the heavens above, on the earth below, or in the waters beneath.
Deuteronomy 5:8–9
You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in the heavens above, on the earth below, or in the waters beneath.
Leviticus 20:2–5
“Tell the Israelites, ‘Any Israelite or foreigner living in Israel who gives any of his children to Molech must be put to death. The people of the land are to stone him.
2 Kings 21:6
He sacrificed his own son in the fire, practiced sorcery and divination, and consulted mediums and spiritists. He did great evil in the sight of the LORD, provoking Him to anger.
2 Kings 18:11
The king of Assyria exiled the Israelites to Assyria and settled them in Halah, in Gozan by the Habor River, and in the cities of the Medes.
2 Kings 17:16–18
They abandoned all the commandments of the LORD their God and made for themselves two cast idols of calves and an Asherah pole. They bowed down to all the host of heaven and served Baal.
Deuteronomy 4:16–18
…that you do not act corruptly and make an idol for yourselves of any form or shape, whether in the likeness of a male or female,
2 Kings 17:6
In the ninth year of Hoshea, the king of Assyria captured Samaria and carried away the Israelites to Assyria, where he settled them in Halah, in Gozan by the Habor River, and in the cities of the Medes.
Leviticus 18:21
You must not give any of your children to be sacrificed to Molech, for you must not profane the name of your God. I am the LORD.

Parallels

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

People

Molech: Canaanite deity associated with child sacrifice Rephan: A pagan deity worshipped by the Israelites in the wilderness

Places

Babylon: Ancient Mesopotamian city, capital of Babylonian Empire, site of the Tower of Babel

Glossary

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

Topics

Apostasy: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Chiun: Also Called Remphan, a God of the Phoenicians Court: Accused Spoke in his own Defense Government: Constitutes Idolatry: Idols Mentioned in Scripture: Remphan Idolatry: Objects of, Carried in Procession Molech: An Idol of the Ammonites Select Readings: Stephen's Defense Stars: Worshiped The Stars: False Gods Frequently Worshipped Under the Representation of

Acts 7:43

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