Keraia
Acts 7

Acts 7:49

The Tabernacle of the Testimony · Acts 7:44–53
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Translations

Modern
‘Heaven is My throne and the earth is My footstool. What kind of house will you build for Me, says the Lord, or where will My place of repose be?
Traditional
Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool: what house will ye build me? saith the Lord: or what is the place of my rest?
Literal
‘Heaven is unto Me a throne, and the earth a footstool for My feet. What kind of house will you build for Me, says the Lord, or what is the place of My rest?
Latin
Cælum mihi sedes est: terra autem scabellum pedum meorum. Quam domum ædificabitis mihi? dicit Dominus: aut quis locus requietionis meæ est?

Interlinear

Greek
English
‘Heaven is My throne and the earth is My footstool. What kind of house will you build for Me, says the Lord, or where will My place of repose be?

Notes

Acts 7:48–50

One charge against Stephen was that he spoke against the temple (see 6:14). The leading priests and scribes managed the temple's business and wanted to protect their interests (see Luke 19:45–48). This is why these leaders were concerned about the temple, even though God said that the Most High does not live in temples made by human hands.

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.

Events

Parallels

Exodus 40:1–33 Hebrews 9:1–10

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 Footstool: The Earth is God's God: Onnipresent God: Presence of God: Ubiquitous Government: Constitutes Heaven: God's Dwelling Place Heaven: God's Throne Select Readings: Stephen's Defense Stool: Footstool of the Earth