Acts 7:15

So Jacob went down into Egypt, and died, he, and our fathers,

So {G1161} Jacob {G2384} went down {G2597} into {G1519} Egypt {G125}, and {G2532} died {G5053}, he {G846}, and {G2532} our {G2257} fathers {G3962},

And Ya‘akov went down to Egypt; there he died, as did our other ancestors.

So Jacob went down to Egypt, where he and our fathers died.

And Jacob went down into Egypt; and he died, himself and our fathers;

Acts 7:15 is a concise summary within Stephen's lengthy defense before the Sanhedrin, recounting the historical journey of the Israelite nation. This specific verse highlights a pivotal moment in the life of Jacob, also known as Israel, and the founding patriarchs of the twelve tribes.

Context

In his powerful sermon, Stephen is tracing the lineage and history of Israel from Abraham, demonstrating God's consistent presence and activity even before the giving of the Law or the building of the Temple. This verse quickly moves from Joseph's invitation to his family to settle in Egypt to the ultimate conclusion of Jacob's life and the lives of his sons (referred to as "our fathers") in that foreign land. This historical account serves to remind his listeners of God's sovereign plan, which often unfolded outside the confines of the Promised Land or the Temple structure, a subtle challenge to the Sanhedrin's narrow perspective.

Key Themes

  • Divine Providence: The verse underscores how God's hand guided Jacob and his family to Egypt, not as a random event, but as part of a larger divine purpose. This move was essential for the family to grow into a numerous nation, as foretold to Abraham (see Genesis 15:13).
  • Ancestral Heritage: Stephen emphasizes the shared heritage of the Jewish people, linking their identity directly to Jacob and the "fathers" – the twelve sons who became the heads of the tribes of Israel. Their lives and deaths in Egypt signify the beginning of the nation's formation before the Exodus.
  • Continuity of God's Plan: Despite the patriarchs dying in a foreign land, their journey to Egypt and subsequent growth there were integral steps in God's unfolding covenant with Abraham, leading eventually to the Exodus and the establishment of Israel as a distinct nation.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "our fathers" (Greek: hoi pateres hēmōn) is a common biblical term referring to the revered ancestors and patriarchs of Israel, particularly Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and in this context, Jacob's twelve sons. It emphasizes the deep respect and connection the Jewish people felt for their foundational figures, whose stories formed the bedrock of their national and religious identity.

Practical Application

Acts 7:15 reminds us that God's plans often span generations and unfold in ways we might not initially understand. Even in periods of displacement, hardship, or seeming inactivity, God is at work, orchestrating events to fulfill His promises. It encourages us to trust in God's long-term faithfulness and to appreciate the spiritual heritage passed down through history, knowing that our lives, too, are part of a larger divine narrative.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Genesis 49:33

    And when Jacob had made an end of commanding his sons, he gathered up his feet into the bed, and yielded up the ghost, and was gathered unto his people.

  • Exodus 1:6

    And Joseph died, and all his brethren, and all that generation.

  • Genesis 46:3

    And he said, I [am] God, the God of thy father: fear not to go down into Egypt; for I will there make of thee a great nation:

  • Genesis 46:7

    His sons, and his sons' sons with him, his daughters, and his sons' daughters, and all his seed brought he with him into Egypt.

  • Numbers 20:15

    How our fathers went down into Egypt, and we have dwelt in Egypt a long time; and the Egyptians vexed us, and our fathers:

  • 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.

  • Deuteronomy 26:5

    And thou shalt speak and say before the LORD thy God, A Syrian ready to perish [was] my father, and he went down into Egypt, and sojourned there with a few, and became there a nation, great, mighty, and populous:

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