Acts 7:20

KJV

In which time Moses was born, and was exceeding fair, and nourished up in his father's house three months:

KJV (with Strong's)

In {G1722} which {G3739} time {G2540} Moses {G3475} was born {G1080}, and {G2532} was {G2258} exceeding {G2316} fair {G791}, and {G3739} nourished up {G397} in {G1722} his {G846} father's {G3962} house {G3624} three {G5140} months {G3376}:

Complete Jewish Bible

“It was then that Moshe was born, and he was beautiful in God’s sight. For three months he was reared in his father’s house;

Berean Standard Bible

At that time Moses was born, and he was beautiful in the sight of God. For three months he was nurtured in his father’s house.

American Standard Version

At which season Moses was born, and was exceeding fair; and he was nourished three months in his father’s house:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 7:20 introduces the birth of Moses, a pivotal figure in Israel's history, during a period of intense persecution in Egypt. Stephen, in his defense before the Sanhedrin, highlights Moses' miraculous birth and early preservation as a testament to God's sovereign providence and unique calling upon His chosen deliverer, even amidst the most dire circumstances and human opposition. This verse sets the stage for Moses' extraordinary life and leadership, which forms a significant part of Stephen's recounting of Israel's redemptive history.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Acts 7:20 is situated within Stephen's lengthy and impassioned defense before the Sanhedrin, a speech that spans the entire seventh chapter of Acts. Stephen, accused of blasphemy against the temple and the Law, responds by recounting Israel's history from Abraham to Solomon, demonstrating God's consistent presence and work outside of and prior to the temple, and often in spite of Israel's rebellion. The narrative flow leading up to this verse details the patriarchs' journey into Egypt and the subsequent oppression of the Israelites, culminating in Pharaoh's decree to kill all male Hebrew infants (as referenced in [Exodus 1:22](/exodus/1-22 "Exodus 1:22 - Pharaoh's Decree")). Moses' birth, therefore, is presented as a crucial turning point, introducing the figure through whom God would deliver His people, thus establishing the divine pattern of salvation emerging from impossible situations.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop is the severe enslavement of the Israelites in Egypt, a period of immense suffering and national crisis. Pharaoh, fearing the growing numbers of the Hebrews, implemented increasingly harsh measures, culminating in the infanticide decree. This was a direct assault on the future of the Israelite people and a challenge to God's covenant promises of a numerous offspring. In this oppressive environment, the act of preserving a male child was an act of profound faith and defiance against the most powerful empire of the ancient world. The cultural norms of the time would have dictated strict obedience to Pharaoh's decrees, making the actions of Moses' parents particularly courageous. Geographically, the setting is Goshen, the region in Egypt where the Israelites resided, which would have been under Pharaoh's direct and oppressive control.

* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes in Stephen's sermon and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Providence Amidst Peril**, illustrating how God orchestrates events and raises up deliverers precisely when human circumstances seem most hopeless. Moses' birth during a period of genocide highlights God's sovereignty over human decrees and His faithfulness to His covenant promises, a theme echoed throughout the biblical narrative, such as in God's preservation of Noah during the flood ([Genesis 7](/genesis/7 "Genesis 7 - The Flood Account")) or Joseph's rise to power in Egypt ([Genesis 41](/genesis/41 "Genesis 41 - Joseph's Rise to Power")). Secondly, it emphasizes the **Faith and Courage of God's People**, exemplified by Moses' parents who, by faith, defied Pharaoh's decree ([Hebrews 11:23](/hebrews/11-23 "Hebrews 11:23 - The Faith of Moses' Parents")). Their actions demonstrate that obedience to God often requires radical trust and a willingness to stand against oppressive systems. Lastly, the description of Moses as "exceeding fair" hints at his **Unique Divine Favor and Calling** from birth, setting him apart for the extraordinary role God had planned for him as the leader of the Exodus.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **born (Greek, _gennáō'_):** From G1080, meaning "to procreate (properly, of the father, but by extension of the mother); figuratively, to regenerate." In this context, it refers to Moses' physical birth. Stephen emphasizes that Moses came into existence at a specific, divinely appointed "time" (G2540, _kairós_), highlighting the providential nature of his arrival amidst national crisis.
* **exceeding fair (Greek, _asteîos'_):** From G791, meaning "urbane, i.e. (by implication) handsome." The KJV translates it as "exceeding fair," while other versions render it as "beautiful to God" (ESV, NIV). The Greek phrase is ἀστεῖος τῷ θεῷ (asteîos tō theō), literally "beautiful to God." This is not merely a statement about physical attractiveness, but implies a divine recognition or special quality that marked him as set apart for God's purposes from birth. His beauty was not just humanly perceived but divinely acknowledged, signifying his unique role in God's plan.
* **nourished up (Greek, _anatréphō'_):** From G397, meaning "to rear (physically or mentally); to bring up, nourish (up)." This word describes the act of caring for and raising a child. The detail that Moses was "nourished up in his father's house three months" underscores the initial period of hidden care by his parents, a period of great risk and faith, before he was placed in the ark of bulrushes.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"In which time Moses was born":** This clause establishes the historical context of Moses' birth, emphasizing that it occurred during the specific period of Israel's severe oppression and Pharaoh's genocidal decree against male Hebrew infants. The timing is crucial, highlighting God's sovereign intervention at a moment of extreme peril for His people.
* **"and was exceeding fair":** This phrase describes Moses' inherent quality from birth. As discussed in Key Word Analysis, the Greek "beautiful to God" suggests not merely physical attractiveness but a divine favor or special quality that marked him as uniquely appointed by God. This detail sets him apart as a divinely chosen individual from the very beginning of his life.
* **"and nourished up in his father's house three months":** This part of the verse reveals the initial, courageous actions of Moses' parents, Amram and Jochebed. Despite Pharaoh's decree, they defied the order and hid their son for three months, demonstrating profound faith and trust in God's protection over their child. This act of "nourishing up" speaks to their protective care and defiance, setting the stage for the next phase of Moses' miraculous preservation.

#### Literary Devices
Stephen's concise description of Moses' birth employs several **Literary Devices**. The narrative uses **Foreshadowing**, as the extraordinary circumstances of Moses' birth—being "exceeding fair" and miraculously preserved despite a death decree—hint at his future, divinely appointed role as Israel's deliverer. There is an element of **Divine Irony** in that the very decree meant to annihilate the Hebrew male population inadvertently leads to the preservation and eventual elevation of their greatest leader within the Egyptian royal household. The phrase "exceeding fair" (or "beautiful to God") serves as a form of **Characterization**, immediately distinguishing Moses as a person of unique divine favor and significance, even as an infant. This initial portrayal sets him apart, emphasizing his special calling from the womb.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 7:20 profoundly illustrates the theme of God's sovereign election and providential care, particularly in the face of human tyranny and seemingly insurmountable odds. Moses' birth, "beautiful to God" and preserved amidst a decree of infanticide, underscores that God's plans cannot be thwarted by human wickedness. It reveals a God who is intimately involved in the details of history, raising up instruments for His purposes at precisely the right time. This divine oversight provides comfort and assurance that even in our darkest moments, God is at work, orchestrating events for the good of His people and the fulfillment of His redemptive purposes. The faith of Moses' parents also highlights the human response of courageous obedience, demonstrating that our trust in God can align with and participate in His grand design.

* [Exodus 2:2](/exodus/2-2 "Exodus 2:2 - Moses' Parents Hide Him")
* [Hebrews 11:23](/hebrews/11-23 "Hebrews 11:23 - The Faith of Moses' Parents")
* [Romans 8:28](/romans/8-28 "Romans 8:28 - God Works for Good")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 7:20 offers a powerful reminder that God's redemptive plan unfolds even in the most challenging and hostile environments. Moses' birth during a period of state-sanctioned genocide for Israel serves as a profound testament to God's ability to work through dire circumstances, demonstrating His unwavering commitment to His covenant promises. For us today, this verse encourages a deep trust in God's providence, particularly when our own lives or the world around us seem overwhelmed by darkness, injustice, or despair. It calls us to remember that God is always at work behind the scenes, often in ways we cannot immediately perceive, orchestrating events to fulfill His good purposes. Furthermore, the courageous faith of Moses' parents, who defied a tyrannical decree to protect their child, challenges us to consider where God might be calling us to acts of faithful obedience and defiance against systems or ideologies that oppose His will, even when such actions carry significant personal risk. Our seemingly small acts of faith and obedience can play a vital role in God's larger redemptive narrative.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Moses' birth during a time of extreme peril encourage your faith in God's providence amidst your own challenging circumstances?**
* **In what ways might God be calling you to an act of courageous faith or defiance against societal norms or oppressive systems, similar to Moses' parents?**
* **How does the idea of being "beautiful to God" (as Moses was) inform your understanding of your own value and purpose in God's eyes?**

### FAQ
**What does "exceeding fair" mean in the context of Acts 7:20?**

Answer: The King James Version's "exceeding fair" translates the Greek phrase *asteîos tō theō* (ἀστεῖος τῷ θεῷ), which literally means "beautiful to God" or "pleasing to God." This implies more than mere physical attractiveness. It suggests a divine recognition or special quality that marked Moses as set apart for God's purposes from birth. It signifies that his beauty was not just humanly perceived but divinely acknowledged, indicating his unique role in God's unfolding plan for Israel's deliverance. This interpretation aligns with the account in [Exodus 2:2](/exodus/2-2 "Exodus 2:2 - Moses' Birth and Hiding"), where his parents saw that he was "a fine child" (ESV), and [Hebrews 11:23](/hebrews/11-23 "Hebrews 11:23 - The Faith of Moses' Parents"), which attributes their act of hiding him to their faith and seeing that he was "no ordinary child."

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 7:20, in its depiction of Moses' miraculous birth and preservation, foreshadows the ultimate deliverer, Jesus Christ. Just as Moses was born into a hostile world under a decree of death (Pharaoh's infanticide), so too was Jesus born under the shadow of a tyrannical king, Herod, who sought to kill all male children in Bethlehem ([Matthew 2:16](/matthew/2-16 "Matthew 2:16 - Herod's Slaughter of the Innocents")). Both deliverers were divinely protected and preserved from infancy, demonstrating God's sovereign hand in bringing about salvation. Moses, "exceeding fair" or "beautiful to God," was set apart for a unique calling; similarly, Jesus, the "radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature" ([Hebrews 1:3](/hebrews/1-3 "Hebrews 1:3 - The Radiance of God's Glory")), perfectly embodied divine beauty and was uniquely chosen to be the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). Moses' initial preservation in his father's house and subsequent placement in the ark prefigures Christ's humble beginnings and His ultimate role as the one who would lead His people out of the bondage of sin and death, into the true promised land of eternal life, fulfilling the law and the prophets ([Matthew 5:17](/matthew/5-17 "Matthew 5:17 - Jesus Fulfills the Law")).

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

Hebrews 11:23

By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw [he was] a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment.

Exodus 2:2

And the woman conceived, and bare a son: and when she saw him that he [was a] goodly [child], she hid him three months.

Exodus 2:10

And the child grew, and she brought him unto Pharaoh's daughter, and he became her son. And she called his name Moses: and she said, Because I drew him out of the water.

1 Samuel 16:12

And he sent, and brought him in. Now he [was] ruddy, [and] withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the LORD said, Arise, anoint him: for this [is] he.