Acts 7:10

KJV

And delivered him out of all his afflictions, and gave him favour and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh king of Egypt; and he made him governor over Egypt and all his house.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} delivered {G1807} him {G846} out of {G1537} all {G3956} his {G846} afflictions {G2347}, and {G2532} gave {G1325} him {G846} favour {G5485} and {G2532} wisdom {G4678} in the sight {G1726} of Pharaoh {G5328} king {G935} of Egypt {G125}; and {G2532} he made {G2525} him {G846} governor {G2233} over {G1909} Egypt {G125} and {G2532} all {G3650} his {G846} house {G3624}.

Complete Jewish Bible

he rescued him from all his troubles and gave him favor and wisdom before Pharaoh, king of Egypt, who appointed him chief administrator over Egypt and over all his household.

Berean Standard Bible

and rescued him from all his troubles. He granted Joseph favor and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh king of Egypt, who appointed him ruler over Egypt and all his household.

American Standard Version

and delivered him out of all his afflictions, and gave him favor and wisdom before Pharaoh king of Egypt; and he made him governor over Egypt and all his house.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 7:10, part of Stephen's defense before the Sanhedrin, succinctly recounts God's providential intervention in the life of Joseph, highlighting divine deliverance from profound adversity, the bestowal of supernatural favor and wisdom, and his ultimate elevation to a position of immense authority. This verse serves as a powerful testament to God's faithfulness and sovereign control over human circumstances, transforming suffering into a pathway for His redemptive purposes.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Acts 7:10 is embedded within Stephen's lengthy and detailed historical discourse, delivered as his defense against charges of blasphemy before the Jewish Sanhedrin. He systematically recounts the history of Israel, beginning with Abraham and moving through the patriarchs, Moses, the Tabernacle, and the Temple. His purpose is to demonstrate God's consistent presence and work among His people, often outside the confines of the Temple and in unexpected ways, while simultaneously highlighting Israel's persistent resistance to the Holy Spirit. The narrative of Joseph, spanning Acts 7:9-16, serves as a crucial example of God's providential care for His chosen servants, even when they are rejected by their own people, foreshadowing the rejection of Christ.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Stephen's speech draws heavily from the Old Testament, particularly the narratives in Genesis and Exodus. The story of Joseph, sold into slavery by his brothers and later rising to power in Egypt, would have been deeply familiar to his Jewish audience. Joseph's elevation to "governor over Egypt" was an extraordinary event, placing a Hebrew slave in the highest position of power second only to Pharaoh. This context underscores the cultural chasm Joseph had to bridge and the immense divine favor required for such an ascent. Pharaoh, as the divine king of Egypt, held absolute authority, making his recognition and appointment of Joseph a monumental act, reflecting the cultural understanding of a ruler's power to elevate or debase.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes to several overarching themes within Stephen's speech and the book of Acts. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates **Divine Providence and Sovereignty**, showing God actively orchestrating events in Joseph's life, turning betrayal and suffering into a means of preservation for His chosen people, a theme echoed in [Joseph's own testimony](/genesis/50-20 "Genesis 50:20 - God's Redemptive Purpose") in Genesis. Secondly, it highlights **God's Favor and Wisdom**, demonstrating that Joseph's success was not merely human ingenuity but a divine endowment, enabling him to navigate complex political and economic challenges. This divine empowerment is a recurring motif for God's servants throughout biblical history, as seen in the wisdom granted to Solomon in [1 Kings 3](/1_kings/3 "1 Kings 3 - Solomon's Request for Wisdom"). Finally, the theme of **Deliverance and Exaltation from Suffering** is prominent, establishing a pattern where God rescues His faithful servants from affliction and elevates them, a pattern that Stephen implicitly applies to Jesus Christ, who was rejected by His own people but exalted by God, as Peter proclaimed in [Acts 2:23-24](/acts/2-23-24 "Acts 2:23-24 - God Raised Jesus").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **delivered (Greek, _exairéō'_):** From G1807, meaning "to tear out," "to select," or figuratively, "to release" or "rescue." This term emphasizes God's active, powerful intervention to pull Joseph out of his dire circumstances, signifying a forceful and complete liberation from his afflictions. It is not a passive escape but a divine extraction.
* **afflictions (Greek, _thlîpsis'_):** From G2347, meaning "pressure" (literal or figurative), "anguish," "persecution," "tribulation," or "trouble." This word captures the full weight of Joseph's suffering—from being sold into slavery, falsely accused, and unjustly imprisoned. The use of "all his afflictions" underscores the totality of the hardship from which God rescued him.
* **favour (Greek, _cháris'_):** From G5485, meaning "graciousness," "divine influence upon the heart," "grace," or "unmerited favor." This highlights that Joseph's acceptance and success in Egypt were not solely due to his own merits or efforts, but primarily a result of God's unmerited, supernatural enabling presence and goodwill bestowed upon him, influencing Pharaoh's perception.
* **governor (Greek, _hēgéomai'_):** From G2233, meaning "to lead," "to command (with official authority)," "to deem," or "to consider." In this context, it specifically refers to Joseph being appointed as a leader with significant official authority, second only to Pharaoh. This word emphasizes the authoritative and administrative role Joseph assumed, demonstrating God's sovereign elevation of a former slave to a position of immense power and influence.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And delivered him out of all his afflictions":** This clause highlights God's direct and complete intervention in Joseph's life. "Delivered" (exairéō) denotes a forceful rescue, not merely an escape. Joseph faced a series of severe trials—betrayal by his brothers, slavery, false accusation by Potiphar's wife, and unjust imprisonment. The phrase "out of all his afflictions" emphasizes the comprehensive nature of God's deliverance, covering every aspect of his suffering. This establishes God as the active agent of salvation and liberation.
* **"and gave him favour and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh king of Egypt":** This clause details the means by which God orchestrated Joseph's elevation. God actively "gave" (dídōmi) Joseph two crucial endowments: "favour" (cháris) and "wisdom" (sophía). The "favour" refers to a supernatural goodwill or acceptance that Joseph received, particularly from Pharaoh, enabling him to be seen favorably despite his background. The "wisdom" was not merely intellectual but practical insight and administrative skill, divinely imparted, which allowed him to interpret dreams and propose a strategic plan for Egypt's future. This divine enablement was critical for his rise to power, demonstrating that his success was God-ordained.
* **"and he made him governor over Egypt and all his house":** This final clause describes the culmination of God's providential work in Joseph's life. Pharaoh, under God's influence, "made him governor" (kathístēmi, hēgéomai), appointing him to the highest administrative position in the land, second only to himself. This appointment gave Joseph authority "over Egypt and all his house," signifying complete control over the nation's affairs and the royal household. This elevation was not just personal success but a strategic move by God to position Joseph to preserve his family and the nascent nation of Israel during the impending famine, fulfilling God's covenant promises.

#### Literary Devices
Stephen's recounting of Joseph's story in Acts 7:10 employs several potent literary devices. **Conciseness** is paramount, as Stephen distills years of Joseph's life into a single, impactful verse, focusing only on the divine action and its outcome. This brevity serves to underscore God's direct agency. **Parallelism** is evident in the structure, moving from affliction to deliverance, and then to the bestowal of gifts (favor and wisdom) leading to exaltation. This creates a clear cause-and-effect relationship, with God as the primary cause. Furthermore, the narrative functions as a powerful **Type** or **Typology**, where Joseph's experience—rejected by his brothers, suffering unjustly, but ultimately exalted by God to save his people—foreshadows the life, death, resurrection, and ultimate exaltation of Jesus Christ, who was also rejected by His own people but became the savior of the world. The phrase "all his afflictions" also uses **Hyperbole** to emphasize the totality and severity of Joseph's trials, making God's deliverance all the more remarkable.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 7:10 profoundly illustrates God's active sovereignty and meticulous providence in the lives of His chosen servants, even amidst the most severe human treachery and injustice. It reveals a God who not only delivers from suffering but also transforms it into a pathway for greater purpose and exaltation. Joseph's story is a testament to the truth that God's plans cannot be thwarted by human evil; rather, He can use the very acts intended for harm to accomplish His good and redemptive will. This divine ability to turn adversity into advantage, and to grant supernatural wisdom and favor, is a consistent theme throughout Scripture, assuring believers of God's faithful presence and ultimate control.

* [Psalm 105:17-22](/psalms/105-17-22 "Joseph's Story in God's Providence")
* [Genesis 41:38-41](/genesis/41-38-41 "Pharaoh's Recognition of Joseph's Divine Wisdom")
* [Romans 8:28](/romans/8-28 "God Works All Things for Good")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 7:10 offers profound encouragement and practical lessons for believers navigating their own trials. Joseph's story reminds us that even when we face betrayal, injustice, or seemingly insurmountable obstacles, God remains sovereign and actively involved in our circumstances. Our afflictions are not outside His purview, and He possesses the power to deliver us, not always by removing the trial, but by sustaining us through it and ultimately using it for His glory and our good. This verse calls us to trust in God's unfailing favor and wisdom, knowing that He can equip us for tasks beyond our natural abilities and open doors that no human can shut, even in the most hostile environments. It challenges us to see our current difficulties not as dead ends, but as potential crucibles through which God is shaping us for His greater purposes, just as Joseph's prison became his pathway to the palace.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life are you currently experiencing "afflictions," and how does Joseph's story encourage you to trust God for deliverance and purpose in those situations?**
* **How can you seek God's "favour and wisdom" in your daily interactions and professional life, recognizing that true success comes from His divine enablement?**
* **Considering Joseph's journey from pit to palace, how might God be using your present challenging circumstances to prepare you for a future role or to fulfill a specific purpose in His kingdom?**

### FAQ

**Was Joseph's "favor and wisdom" a natural talent or a supernatural gift?**

Answer: While Joseph undoubtedly possessed natural intelligence and administrative skills, Acts 7:10, particularly in conjunction with the Old Testament narrative, strongly suggests his "favour and wisdom" were supernatural gifts from God. Pharaoh himself recognized this, stating, "Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is?" ([Genesis 41:38](/genesis/41-38 "Pharaoh's Recognition of Joseph's Divine Wisdom")). His ability to interpret dreams and devise a national economic plan far exceeded ordinary human capacity, pointing to a divine endowment (sophía) and God's unmerited favor (cháris) upon him. This highlights God's active involvement in equipping His servants for their appointed tasks.

**How does Joseph's story in Acts 7:10 relate to the broader message Stephen is conveying?**

Answer: Stephen uses Joseph's story as a powerful example of God's providential care for His chosen people, even when they are rejected by their own. Joseph, betrayed by his brothers, was sent to Egypt, where God used him to preserve the very family who had wronged him. This narrative serves as a **type** or **foreshadowing** of Jesus Christ. Just as Joseph was rejected by his own people but exalted by God to save them, so too was Jesus rejected by Israel, crucified, but then exalted by God to be the Savior of all who believe. Stephen subtly uses this historical pattern to indict his audience for their rejection of Jesus, demonstrating that their resistance to God's chosen messengers was a recurring historical pattern, as seen in [Acts 7:51-53](/acts/7-51-53 "Stephen's Indictment of the Sanhedrin").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 7:10, in Stephen's masterful discourse, serves as a poignant foreshadowing of the ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment. Joseph's journey from betrayal and suffering to divine exaltation and universal provision is a powerful **type** of Jesus Christ. Like Joseph, Jesus was rejected by His own brethren, the Jewish people, who delivered Him up to be crucified, as recounted in [Acts 3:13](/acts/3-13 "Peter's Sermon on Jesus' Betrayal"). Yet, it was precisely through this unjust suffering and death that God "delivered" Him from the "afflictions" of the grave, raising Him from the dead and giving Him "favour and wisdom" in the sight of the Father, ultimately making Him "governor" over all creation. [Philippians 2:9-11](/philippians/2-9-11 "Christ's Exaltation") declares that God "highly exalted him, and gave him a name which is above every name," so that "at the name of Jesus every knee should bow." Just as Joseph's elevation saved his family from famine, Christ's exaltation provides spiritual salvation and eternal life for all who believe, fulfilling the ultimate purpose of God's redemptive plan, making Him the true "bread of life" (as stated in [John 6:35](/john/6-35 "Jesus, the Bread of Life")) for a world starving for righteousness.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Proverbs 3:4

So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.

Proverbs 2:6

For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth [cometh] knowledge and understanding.

2 Timothy 4:18

And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve [me] unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom [be] glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Genesis 48:16

The Angel which redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads; and let my name be named on them, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; and let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth.

Psalms 22:24

For he hath not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; neither hath he hid his face from him; but when he cried unto him, he heard.

Genesis 42:6

And Joseph [was] the governor over the land, [and] he [it was] that sold to all the people of the land: and Joseph's brethren came, and bowed down themselves before him [with] their faces to the earth.

Psalms 34:17

[The righteous] cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.