Acts 13:19

And when he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Chanaan, he divided their land to them by lot.

And {G2532} when he had destroyed {G2507} seven {G2033} nations {G1484} in {G1722} the land {G1093} of Chanaan {G5477}, he divided {G2624} their {G846} land {G1093} to them {G846} by lot {G2624}.

and after he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Kena‘an he gave their land to his people as an inheritance.

And having vanquished seven nations in Canaan, He gave their land to His people as an inheritance.

And when he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan, he gave them their land for an inheritance, for about four hundred and fifty years:

Commentary

Context

The verse Acts 13:19 is part of a significant sermon delivered by the Apostle Paul in the synagogue of Antioch of Pisidia, as recorded in Acts 13:17-41. In this sermon, Paul provides a sweeping historical overview of Israel, from their deliverance from Egypt to the time of David, ultimately pointing to Jesus Christ as the promised Savior. This particular verse recounts a pivotal moment in Israel's history: their entry into and settlement of the Promised Land under God's direct guidance.

Historical and Cultural Background

This verse succinctly summarizes a period of intense historical and military action detailed extensively in the Old Testament books of Joshua and Judges. The "seven nations in the land of Chanaan" (Canaan) refers to the various indigenous peoples inhabiting the region God promised to Abraham's descendants (e.g., Hittites, Girgashites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites). Their destruction was an act of divine judgment against their pervasive idolatry and wickedness, as well as the fulfillment of God's covenant promises to Israel, first made to Abraham in Genesis 12:7.

The phrase "he divided their land to them by lot" highlights the method by which the conquered territory was allocated among the twelve tribes of Israel. This process, overseen by Joshua and Eleazar the priest (as seen in Joshua 14:2), was not arbitrary but believed to be guided by divine providence, emphasizing that God was the true giver of the land and its apportioner. The conquest itself, often led directly by God's miraculous intervention, is detailed in books like Joshua 11:23.

Key Themes

  • God's Sovereignty and Faithfulness: The verse underscores God's active involvement in history, demonstrating His power to fulfill His promises (the land to Israel) and execute His judgment (on the Canaanite nations).
  • Divine Justice: The destruction of the seven nations was not arbitrary but a consequence of their deep-seated sin and idolatry, illustrating God's righteous judgment.
  • God's Provision for His People: By conquering the land and dividing it, God provided a homeland and inheritance for the Israelites, establishing them as a nation.
  • Historical Continuity: Paul uses this historical account to establish the lineage and divine preparation that led to the coming of Jesus Christ, showing God's consistent plan through the ages.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "destroyed" is kathaireō (καθαιρέω), which means "to take down," "to pull down," or "to destroy completely." This term accurately reflects the decisive nature of the conquest. The phrase "divided...by lot" comes from kataklēronomeō (κατακληρονομέω), meaning "to distribute by lot" or "to apportion by inheritance," affirming the divinely guided distribution of the land.

Practical Application

Acts 13:19 reminds believers today of several enduring truths:

  • God is Faithful: Just as God fulfilled His ancient promises to Israel, He is faithful to His promises to us, including the promise of eternal life through Christ and His continued provision.
  • God is Sovereign: He is actively at work in the world, orchestrating events according to His divine plan, even amidst human complexities.
  • God's Justice Prevails: While His mercy is vast, this historical account also serves as a reminder that God is just and will ultimately deal with sin and unrighteousness.
  • Our Inheritance in Christ: Spiritually, believers inherit the blessings of the New Covenant through Christ, which is a greater inheritance than any physical land (Ephesians 1:11).
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Cross-References

  • Deuteronomy 7:1 (7 votes)

    ¶ When the LORD thy God shall bring thee into the land whither thou goest to possess it, and hath cast out many nations before thee, the Hittites, and the Girgashites, and the Amorites, and the Canaanites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, seven nations greater and mightier than thou;

  • Psalms 78:55 (6 votes)

    He cast out the heathen also before them, and divided them an inheritance by line, and made the tribes of Israel to dwell in their tents.

  • Joshua 19:51 (4 votes)

    These [are] the inheritances, which Eleazar the priest, and Joshua the son of Nun, and the heads of the fathers of the tribes of the children of Israel, divided for an inheritance by lot in Shiloh before the LORD, at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. So they made an end of dividing the country.

  • Acts 7:45 (4 votes)

    Which also our fathers that came after brought in with Jesus into the possession of the Gentiles, whom God drave out before the face of our fathers, unto the days of David;

  • Joshua 14:1 (4 votes)

    ¶ And these [are the countries] which the children of Israel inherited in the land of Canaan, which Eleazar the priest, and Joshua the son of Nun, and the heads of the fathers of the tribes of the children of Israel, distributed for inheritance to them.

  • Psalms 135:11 (2 votes)

    Sihon king of the Amorites, and Og king of Bashan, and all the kingdoms of Canaan:

  • Genesis 12:5 (2 votes)

    And Abram took Sarai his wife, and Lot his brother's son, and all their substance that they had gathered, and the souls that they had gotten in Haran; and they went forth to go into the land of Canaan; and into the land of Canaan they came.