Acts 7:15

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 7:15 concisely recounts a pivotal moment in the foundational history of Israel, noting Jacob's migration into Egypt with his family and the subsequent deaths of both Jacob and the other patriarchs there. This verse, embedded within Stephen's sweeping historical defense, serves as a crucial link in the narrative of God's sovereign plan, demonstrating His faithfulness to the covenant promises even as His chosen people sojourned and eventually died in a foreign land, setting the stage for their national formation and eventual exodus.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Acts 7:15 is situated within Stephen's extensive historical summary, delivered as his defense before the Sanhedrin. Beginning with Abraham's call in Mesopotamia, Stephen meticulously traces God's interaction with Israel through the patriarchs, the Exodus, the wilderness wanderings, and the building of the Temple. This verse follows directly from [Acts 7:14](/acts/7-14 "Acts 7:14 - Joseph calls Jacob to Egypt"), which describes Joseph sending for Jacob to come to Egypt, and it precedes [Acts 7:16](/acts/7-16 "Acts 7:16 - Burial of the Patriarchs"), which details their burial in Shechem. Stephen's rapid recounting of these events underscores God's continuous guidance over His people's destiny, even when they were outside the Promised Land or before the Mosaic Law, subtly challenging his accusers' rigid focus on Jerusalem and the Temple. The inclusion of the patriarchs' deaths in Egypt highlights a significant phase in Israel's development from a family into a nation, preparing the ground for the miraculous deliverance under Moses.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jacob's descent into Egypt, as recorded in [Genesis 46](/genesis/46 "Genesis 46 - Jacob Goes to Egypt"), was prompted by a severe famine and Joseph's position of power. This move was not merely a pragmatic decision but a fulfillment of God's earlier prophecy to Abraham in [Genesis 15:13-16](/genesis/15-13-16 "Genesis 15:13-16 - God's Covenant with Abraham"), that his descendants would be enslaved in a foreign land for 400 years before being brought out. The deaths of Jacob and his sons in Egypt signify the completion of the patriarchal era and the beginning of the nation's sojourn, during which they would multiply greatly. Culturally, the burial of ancestors held immense importance, symbolizing a connection to the land and heritage. The fact that Jacob and the "fathers" died in Egypt, yet their bones were eventually brought back to the Promised Land ([Genesis 50:13](/genesis/50-13 "Genesis 50:13 - Jacob's Burial") for Jacob; [Exodus 13:19](/exodus/13-19 "Exodus 13:19 - Joseph's Bones Carried Out of Egypt") for Joseph), speaks to their faith in God's promise of the land, even in death.

* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes to several overarching themes within Stephen's discourse and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it emphasizes **Divine Providence and Sovereignty**, illustrating how God orchestrated the events of Jacob's life, including his move to Egypt and his death there, as part of His grand redemptive plan. This move, though seemingly a consequence of famine, was a divinely appointed step for the family to grow into a numerous nation, as foretold to Abraham (e.g., [Genesis 12:2](/genesis/12-2 "Genesis 12:2 - God's Promise to Abraham")). Secondly, the verse highlights the **Ancestral Heritage and Continuity of God's Covenant**, linking the Jewish people's 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, underscoring that God's covenant promises transcended geographical boundaries and even death. Lastly, it subtly reinforces the theme of **God's Presence Outside the Temple**, as God's work with His people continued powerfully in a foreign land, long before the Temple was built, challenging the Sanhedrin's narrow, localized understanding of God's activity.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **went down (Greek, _katabaínō'_):** This verb signifies a literal descent, as Egypt is geographically lower than Canaan. However, in a theological sense, it also implies a movement into a state of sojourning or even vulnerability. Jacob "went down" into a foreign land, a place of temporary residence that would eventually become a place of oppression, yet it was also the crucible where Israel would be forged into a nation. This descent, though seemingly a step away from the Promised Land, was paradoxically a step towards the fulfillment of God's promise of a numerous offspring.
* **died (Greek, _teleutáō'_):** This term means "to finish life" or "expire." It marks the definitive end of the earthly lives of Jacob and the patriarchs. In the biblical narrative, death is not merely a biological cessation but often a transition that marks the end of one era and the beginning of another. The death of the patriarchs in Egypt signifies the close of the foundational family period and the impending birth of the nation of Israel, setting the stage for the Exodus.
* **fathers (Greek, _patḗr'_):** While literally meaning "father" or "parent," in this context, "our fathers" refers collectively to the revered ancestors and patriarchs of Israel, specifically Jacob's twelve sons who became the heads of the twelve tribes. This term emphasizes the deep respect and connection the Jewish people felt for these foundational figures, whose stories and lives formed the bedrock of their national and religious identity. Their collective death in Egypt underscores the shared experience and destiny of the nascent nation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"So Jacob went down into Egypt":** This clause succinctly states the decisive action of Jacob's migration. "So" (G1161, _dé_) acts as a continuative particle, linking this event to Joseph's invitation in the preceding verse. Jacob's journey to Egypt was a momentous event, not just a personal relocation, but a pivotal step in God's unfolding plan for the nation of Israel, allowing the family to escape famine and to grow into a multitude, as prophesied.
* **"and died, he":** This phrase directly addresses the death of Jacob. His death in Egypt, though a natural end to his life, carries significant theological weight. It marks the end of the direct patriarchal line in Canaan and signifies the beginning of the period of Israel's growth and eventual oppression in Egypt, preparing the ground for the Exodus. Jacob's final instructions regarding his burial in Canaan ([Genesis 49:29-32](/genesis/49-29-32 "Genesis 49:29-32 - Jacob's Burial Instructions")) underscore his faith in God's promises concerning the land, even in death.
* **"and our fathers":** This final phrase extends the statement of death to include Jacob's sons, the progenitors of the twelve tribes of Israel. The use of "our fathers" emphasizes the collective identity and shared heritage of the Jewish people, linking them directly to these foundational figures. Their deaths in Egypt further solidify the historical period of Israel's sojourn and growth in that foreign land, before their miraculous deliverance and establishment as a nation.

#### Literary Devices
Stephen's concise recounting in Acts 7:15 employs several literary devices. **Conciseness** and **Compression** are evident, as a vast period of time and significant events (Jacob's relocation, his death, and the deaths of all the patriarchs) are summarized in a single, compact verse. This rapid historical survey serves to propel Stephen's argument forward, focusing on the overarching divine narrative rather than lingering on individual details. The phrase "our fathers" functions as a form of **Synecdoche**, where a part (the twelve sons, or even just the prominent ones) stands for the whole (the collective group of patriarchs who founded the tribes). This choice emphasizes the communal identity and shared legacy of the Israelite people. Furthermore, the verse is rich in **Historical Allusion**, referencing well-known foundational events in Israel's history that would have been immediately recognizable and deeply significant to Stephen's Jewish audience.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 7:15, though brief, is profoundly significant in its theological implications. It underscores the unwavering nature of God's covenant faithfulness, demonstrating that His plans unfold across generations and geographical boundaries, even through periods of displacement and death. The patriarchs' deaths in Egypt, a foreign land, do not signify a failure of God's promise but rather a necessary stage in its fulfillment, preparing the way for Israel's growth into a mighty nation and their eventual exodus to the Promised Land. This narrative highlights the theme of divine sovereignty, where God orchestrates human events, even seemingly mundane ones like migration and death, to achieve His redemptive purposes. It also speaks to the enduring legacy of faith, as the patriarchs, though dying before seeing the full realization of the promises, lived and died in trust, passing on a heritage of faith to their descendants.

* [Genesis 15:13-16](/genesis/15-13-16 "God's Prophecy of Sojourn in Egypt")
* [Hebrews 11:13](/hebrews/11-13 "The Faith of the Patriarchs")
* [Exodus 1:7](/exodus/1-7 "Israel Multiplies in Egypt")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 7:15 serves as a powerful reminder that God's redemptive plan often unfolds over extended periods, through various stages, and sometimes in unexpected locations. Just as Jacob and the patriarchs died in a foreign land, yet their lives and deaths were integral to God's larger purpose, so too our lives, with their transitions, challenges, and even endings, are woven into God's grand narrative. This verse encourages us to cultivate a long-term perspective on God's work, trusting in His faithfulness even when circumstances seem to deviate from our expectations or when we experience seasons of displacement or waiting. It calls us to appreciate the spiritual heritage passed down through generations of believers, recognizing that we stand on the shoulders of those who have gone before us, contributing to a story much larger than ourselves. Our lives, like theirs, are part of a divine tapestry, each thread contributing to the ultimate fulfillment of God's promises.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the idea of God's plan unfolding over generations, as seen in Acts 7:15, impact your understanding of patience and perseverance in your own faith journey?**
* **What "foreign lands" or unexpected circumstances in your life might God be using to prepare you or others for a future purpose?**
* **How can reflecting on the "fathers" and their legacy encourage you to live a life that contributes to a spiritual heritage for future generations?**

### FAQ

**Why does Stephen recount so much history in his defense?**

Answer: Stephen's extensive historical recounting, including the detail in [Acts 7:15](/acts/7-15 "Acts 7:15 - Jacob and the Fathers Die in Egypt"), serves multiple purposes in his defense before the Sanhedrin. Firstly, it establishes his credentials as a faithful Jew, deeply knowledgeable in the history of his people, countering accusations of blasphemy against Moses and the Law. Secondly, and more subtly, Stephen uses this history to demonstrate that God's activity and presence were never confined to the Temple or even the Promised Land. He highlights instances where God appeared to Abraham in Mesopotamia ([Acts 7:2](/acts/7-2 "Acts 7:2 - God Appears to Abraham")), guided Joseph in Egypt ([Acts 7:9-10](/acts/7-9-10 "Acts 7:9-10 - God with Joseph in Egypt")), and spoke to Moses in the wilderness ([Acts 7:30](/acts/7-30 "Acts 7:30 - The Burning Bush")). By showing that the patriarchs, including Jacob and his sons, lived and died in a foreign land as part of God's plan, Stephen subtly challenges the Sanhedrin's rigid, localized understanding of God's presence and worship, paving the way for his climactic argument about a God who cannot be contained in temples made by human hands ([Acts 7:48](/acts/7-48 "Acts 7:48 - God Does Not Dwell in Temples")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 7:15, while a historical detail, finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the greater redemptive narrative of God's people. Just as Jacob and the patriarchs "went down into Egypt" and died in a foreign land, anticipating a future return to the Promised Land, so too humanity, by nature, is alienated from God, spiritually "dead" in a foreign land of sin ([Ephesians 2:1](/ephesians/2-1 "Ephesians 2:1 - Dead in Trespasses and Sins")). Christ, the true and ultimate Son of God, perfectly fulfills the journey of His people. He "went down" from heaven in the incarnation ([Philippians 2:6-8](/philippians/2-6-8 "Philippians 2:6-8 - Christ's Humiliation")), entering into the "foreign land" of human existence and ultimately descending into death itself, bearing the sins of His people ([Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - Christ Died for Us")). However, unlike the patriarchs whose deaths marked an end, Christ's death was a triumphant act, conquering the power of sin and death ([Hebrews 2:14-15](/hebrews/2-14-15 "Hebrews 2:14-15 - Christ Destroys Death")). His resurrection then signifies the ultimate "Exodus," leading His people out of spiritual bondage and into the true Promised Land, the heavenly kingdom, where we have an eternal inheritance ([1 Peter 1:3-4](/1_peter/1-3-4 "1 Peter 1:3-4 - A Living Hope, An Incorruptible Inheritance")). Thus, the deaths of the patriarchs in Egypt, a necessary step for the formation of physical Israel, foreshadow the greater spiritual journey and ultimate victory over death achieved through Christ, who brings all His "fathers" and all His people into eternal life.

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 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: