Acts 7:14

KJV

Then sent Joseph, and called his father Jacob to [him], and all his kindred, threescore and fifteen souls.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then {G1161} sent {G649} Joseph {G2501}, and called {G3333} his {G846} father {G3962} Jacob {G2384} to him, and {G2532} all {G3956} his {G846} kindred {G4772},{G1722} threescore {G1440} and fifteen {G4002} souls {G5590}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Yosef then sent for his father Ya‘akov and all his relatives, seventy-five people.

Berean Standard Bible

Then Joseph sent for his father Jacob and all his relatives, seventy-five in all.

American Standard Version

And Joseph sent, and called to him Jacob his father, and all his kindred, threescore and fifteen souls.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 7:14, embedded within Stephen's comprehensive historical defense before the Sanhedrin, recounts the pivotal moment when Joseph, having risen to power in Egypt, initiated the relocation of his entire family, including his father Jacob and all his relatives, totaling seventy-five individuals, to Egypt to escape a severe famine in Canaan. This verse highlights God's providential care in preserving the nascent Israelite nation through Joseph's actions, ensuring their survival and setting the stage for their future growth.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Acts 7:14 is part of Stephen's lengthy discourse, which begins in [Acts 7:2](/acts/7-2 "Acts 7:2 - Stephen's Defense Begins") and extends through [Acts 7:53](/acts/7-53 "Acts 7:53 - Stephen's Conclusion"). Stephen, accused of blasphemy against the temple and the law, responds by recounting the history of Israel, demonstrating God's faithfulness and their ancestors' consistent rebellion. Specifically, this verse falls within the segment detailing Joseph's story, from his betrayal by his brothers ([Acts 7:9](/acts/7-9 "Acts 7:9 - Joseph Sold into Egypt")) to his rise in Egypt and the subsequent migration of Jacob's family. Stephen uses this historical narrative to underscore God's sovereign plan, which often unfolded outside the land of Israel and through unexpected means, challenging his accusers' narrow understanding of God's work.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events described in Acts 7:14 refer back to the patriarchal period of Israel's history, specifically the end of Jacob's life, as recorded primarily in [Genesis 45-46](/genesis/45 "Genesis 45 - Joseph Reveals Himself") and [Genesis 47](/genesis/47 "Genesis 47 - Jacob and Joseph in Egypt"). A severe, widespread famine had gripped the ancient Near East, forcing people to seek sustenance in Egypt, which, under Joseph's wise administration, had prepared for such a crisis. The act of a family migrating en masse for survival was not uncommon in ancient times, but the scale and divine orchestration of this particular migration were unique. The number "threescore and fifteen souls" (75) is a significant detail, reflecting the Septuagint (LXX) tradition, which was widely used by Greek-speaking Jews in the first century, including Stephen.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes to several overarching themes within Stephen's speech and the book of Acts. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates **Divine Providence**, showing how God orchestrated Joseph's suffering and elevation to preserve His chosen people from extinction, echoing the themes of God's faithfulness found throughout [Genesis](/genesis/1 "The Book of Genesis"). Secondly, it highlights the theme of **God's Covenant Faithfulness**, demonstrating how God upheld His promises to Abraham regarding his numerous descendants, even when the family faced dire circumstances ([Genesis 12:2](/genesis/12-2 "God's Promise to Abraham")). Thirdly, it subtly introduces the theme of **Israel's Sojourn and Growth in a Foreign Land**, setting the stage for their multiplication and eventual Exodus, a foundational event in their national identity, which Stephen will elaborate on in subsequent verses, such as [Acts 7:17](/acts/7-17 "Acts 7:17 - The People Multiplied in Egypt").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **sent (Greek, _apostéllō'_):** This verb signifies a purposeful dispatch, often with the implication of a mission or authority. Here, it highlights Joseph's decisive action, empowered by his position as Pharaoh's vizier, to initiate the reunion with his family. This "sending" is not merely an invitation but an authoritative summons, reflecting his ability to provide for and protect his family, thereby fulfilling a divine purpose.
* **kindred (Greek, _syngéneia'_):** Refers to blood relatives or family relationship. In this context, it emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the gathering—not just Jacob, but his entire extended family, encompassing all those connected by bloodline. This term underscores the preservation of the entire familial unit that would eventually grow into the nation of Israel.
* **souls (Greek, _psychḗ'_):** While often translated as "soul," in this context, _psychḗ_ refers to living individuals or persons. It denotes the total count of the human lives that comprised Jacob's household. The use of "souls" here emphasizes the numerical aspect of the family's migration, highlighting the substantial number of people God preserved and brought into Egypt.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then sent Joseph":** This clause emphasizes Joseph's initiative and authority. Having revealed himself to his brothers and secured Pharaoh's permission, Joseph takes the decisive step to bring his family to Egypt. This "sending" implies not just a message but also the provision of wagons and supplies, as detailed in the Genesis account, demonstrating Joseph's power and care.
* **"and called his father Jacob to him":** This highlights the primary object of Joseph's summons: his aged father, Jacob. The act of "calling" signifies an invitation to a place of safety and provision, underscoring Joseph's filial piety and his role as the family's deliverer from famine. It marks the long-awaited reunion of father and son after decades of separation and presumed death.
* **"and all his kindred":** This phrase expands the scope of the invitation beyond Jacob to include the entire extended family. "Kindred" refers to all the relatives, emphasizing that the preservation was not just for Jacob but for the entire lineage that would form the twelve tribes of Israel. This inclusive gathering ensures the continuity and growth of the covenant people.
* **"threescore and fifteen souls":** This precise numerical detail provides a concrete count of the individuals who migrated to Egypt. The number 75, derived from the Septuagint, includes Jacob's sons' wives and possibly other close relatives, distinguishing it from the 70 often found in the Masoretic Text. This specific detail underscores the significant scale of the family's migration and the comprehensive nature of God's preservation.

#### Literary Devices
Stephen's narrative in Acts 7:14 employs **Narrative Summary** to efficiently convey a significant historical event. Rather than detailing the emotional reunion or the logistics of the journey, he succinctly states the action and its outcome, serving his broader rhetorical purpose of recounting Israel's history. The inclusion of the specific number, "threescore and fifteen souls," serves as **Numerical Detail** and **Emphasis**, drawing attention to the scale of the family's preservation and their foundational presence in Egypt. This numerical precision, while a point of textual variation, functions to underscore the tangible growth and survival of the nascent nation, setting the stage for their later multiplication and the subsequent events of the Exodus.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 7:14 powerfully illustrates the theme of divine providence, demonstrating God's meticulous care for His chosen people even amidst severe adversity. Joseph's elevation to power in Egypt was not merely a stroke of luck but a divinely orchestrated plan to preserve the lineage through whom the Messiah would come. This event underscores that God works through human agents and challenging circumstances to fulfill His redemptive purposes, turning what was intended for evil into good. The gathering of Jacob's family in Egypt was a crucial step in God's covenant plan, ensuring their survival and growth into a mighty nation, ultimately preparing the way for the giving of the Law and the establishment of Israel as God's peculiar people.

* [Genesis 45:7](/genesis/45-7 "Genesis 45:7 - Joseph's Purpose")
* [Psalm 105:16-23](/psalms/105-16-23 "Psalm 105:16-23 - God's Providence for Joseph and Israel")
* [Romans 8:28](/romans/8-28 "Romans 8:28 - God Works for Good")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 7:14 reminds us that God's sovereign hand is at work even in the most challenging and seemingly chaotic circumstances of our lives. Just as Joseph's family faced a life-threatening famine, we too encounter periods of scarcity, uncertainty, or hardship. This verse encourages us to look beyond immediate difficulties and recognize God's overarching plan for preservation and blessing. It teaches us to trust that God can use unexpected means and even past suffering (like Joseph's) to bring about His good purposes. Furthermore, it highlights the importance of family and community as instruments of God's care, reminding us to cherish and support our loved ones, recognizing that our collective well-being is often intertwined with God's design. We are called to live with a deep-seated confidence in God's faithfulness, knowing that He is always working, even when we cannot perceive it, to fulfill His promises and guide us through every season.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the story of Joseph and his family's migration to Egypt encourage you to trust in God's providence during difficult times in your own life?**
* **In what ways might God be using seemingly negative circumstances in your life to bring about a greater good or fulfill a long-term purpose?**
* **How can you, like Joseph, be an instrument of God's care and provision for your family or community, especially in times of need?**
* **What does the preservation of Jacob's "kindred" teach us about the importance of family and community in God's plan for His people?**

### FAQ

**Why does Stephen say "threescore and fifteen souls" (75) when the Old Testament often says 70?**

Answer: The apparent discrepancy between Stephen's statement of "threescore and fifteen souls" (75) in [Acts 7:14](/acts/7-14 "Acts 7:14 - Jacob's Family in Egypt") and the number "seventy souls" found in the Hebrew Masoretic Text of the Old Testament (e.g., [Genesis 46:27](/genesis/46-27 "Genesis 46:27 - Seventy Souls to Egypt") and [Exodus 1:5](/exodus/1-5 "Exodus 1:5 - Seventy Souls in Egypt")) is not a contradiction but reflects different textual traditions available in the first century. Stephen, as a Hellenistic Jew, was likely quoting from the Septuagint (LXX), the ancient Greek translation of the Old Testament. Many Septuagint manuscripts of [Genesis 46:27](/genesis/46-27 "Genesis 46:27 - Jacob's Family in LXX") and [Exodus 1:5](/exodus/1-5 "Exodus 1:5 - Israel's Growth in LXX") include an additional five individuals (Joseph's two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim, and their three children, who were born in Egypt), bringing the total to 75. Both the Hebrew and Greek traditions were considered authoritative at the time, and Stephen's use of the Septuagint version demonstrates its widespread acceptance and validity within early Christian discourse.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 7:14, detailing Joseph's role in preserving his family, profoundly foreshadows the ultimate work of Jesus Christ. Joseph, sold into slavery by his brothers, yet elevated to a position of power to save his family from famine, serves as a powerful type of Christ. Just as Joseph gathered his "kindred" to himself in Egypt, providing sustenance and safety, so too does Christ gather His people, the church, into His kingdom, providing spiritual nourishment and eternal salvation. The famine in Canaan, threatening physical death, mirrors the spiritual famine of humanity, leading to eternal death, from which only Christ can deliver. Through His sacrificial death and glorious resurrection, Jesus, the true [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), became the ultimate deliverer, bringing His scattered "kindred"—all who believe—into the abundance of His grace. This act of preservation and gathering in Acts 7:14 points forward to the grand spiritual reunion and sustenance offered by Christ, who calls all people to Himself, promising life in abundance ([John 10:10](/john/10-10 "John 10:10 - Life Abundant")) and eternal security in His heavenly kingdom ([Hebrews 12:22-24](/hebrews/12-22-24 "Hebrews 12:22-24 - The Heavenly Jerusalem")).

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

Genesis 46:26

All the souls that came with Jacob into Egypt, which came out of his loins, besides Jacob's sons' wives, all the souls [were] threescore and six;

Genesis 46:27

And the sons of Joseph, which were born him in Egypt, [were] two souls: all the souls of the house of Jacob, which came into Egypt, [were] threescore and ten.

Deuteronomy 10:22

Thy fathers went down into Egypt with threescore and ten persons; and now the LORD thy God hath made thee as the stars of heaven for multitude.

Exodus 1:5

And all the souls that came out of the loins of Jacob were seventy souls: for Joseph was in Egypt [already].

Genesis 45:9

Haste ye, and go up to my father, and say unto him, Thus saith thy son Joseph, God hath made me lord of all Egypt: come down unto me, tarry not:

Genesis 45:11

And there will I nourish thee; for yet [there are] five years of famine; lest thou, and thy household, and all that thou hast, come to poverty.

Genesis 46:12

And the sons of Judah; Er, and Onan, and Shelah, and Pharez, and Zerah: but Er and Onan died in the land of Canaan. And the sons of Pharez were Hezron and Hamul.