Acts 7:24

And seeing one [of them] suffer wrong, he defended [him], and avenged him that was oppressed, and smote the Egyptian:

And {G2532} seeing {G1492} one {G5100} of them suffer wrong {G91}, he defended {G292} him, and {G2532} avenged {G1557}{G4160} him that was oppressed {G2669}, and smote {G3960} the Egyptian {G124}:

On seeing one of them being mistreated, he went to his defense and took revenge by striking down the Egyptian.

And when he saw one of them being mistreated, Moses went to his defense and avenged him by striking down the Egyptian who was oppressing him.

And seeing one of them suffer wrong, he defended him, and avenged him that was oppressed, smiting the Egyptian:

Context

Acts 7:24 is part of Stephen's lengthy defense before the Sanhedrin, a pivotal moment in early Christian history. Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, recounts the history of Israel from Abraham to Solomon, highlighting God's faithfulness and Israel's repeated resistance. This particular verse describes an early, significant event in the life of Moses, long before he became the great deliverer of Israel. At this point, Moses was living in the palace of Pharaoh, raised as an Egyptian prince, yet aware of his Israelite heritage. The scene described here, also found in Exodus 2:11-12, reveals Moses' initial act of identifying with his oppressed people, the Hebrew slaves laboring under harsh Egyptian rule.

Key Themes

  • Moses' Early Zeal for Justice: This verse portrays Moses' inherent sense of justice and his visceral reaction to witnessing the suffering of his own people. Despite his privileged upbringing, he could not ignore the brutal oppression faced by the Israelites. His act, though impulsive and violent, stemmed from a deep empathy and a desire to intervene on behalf of the wronged.
  • Defense of the Oppressed: Moses' action underscores a recurring biblical theme: God's concern for the downtrodden and the call for His people to stand against injustice. Moses "defended him, and avenged him that was oppressed," demonstrating a willingness to put himself at risk for another. This foreshadows his future role as Israel's deliverer.
  • Human Action vs. Divine Timing: While Moses' heart was in the right place, his method and timing were not yet aligned with God's plan. As Stephen explains in Acts 7:25, Moses thought his brethren would understand that God would use him for their deliverance, but they did not. This premature attempt at deliverance led to his flight from Egypt, marking a significant period of preparation before God called him at the burning bush.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "suffer wrong" translates the Greek adikoumenon, meaning "being wronged" or "treated unjustly." Moses "defended [him]" (Greek: hyperaspisas), which means to "stand over" or "shield" someone, acting as a protector. He "avenged him that was oppressed" (Greek: ekdikesas ton adikoumenon), signifying that he executed justice or retribution on behalf of the wronged party. The stark phrase "smote the Egyptian" indicates a decisive and fatal blow, highlighting the severity of Moses' intervention.

Practical Application

Moses' early act of defending the oppressed serves as a powerful reminder for believers today to have a heart for justice and to speak out against injustice. While we are not called to take matters into our own hands through violence, we are called to be advocates for the marginalized, the voiceless, and those who suffer wrong (Proverbs 31:8-9). This verse also offers a lesson in divine timing: God often uses our innate desires and abilities, but He refines our methods and orchestrates the perfect timing for His greater purposes. Moses' 40 years in Midian were crucial for his preparation, teaching him humility and dependence on God, rather than relying solely on his own strength or zeal.

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.

  • John 18:10

    Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest's servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant's name was Malchus.

  • John 18:11

    Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?

  • John 18:25

    And Simon Peter stood and warmed himself. They said therefore unto him, Art not thou also [one] of his disciples? He denied [it], and said, I am not.

  • John 18:27

    Peter then denied again: and immediately the cock crew.

  • Acts 7:28

    Wilt thou kill me, as thou diddest the Egyptian yesterday?

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