Acts 7:29

Then fled Moses at this saying, and was a stranger in the land of Madian, where he begat two sons.

Then {G1161} fled {G5343} Moses {G3475} at {G1722} this {G5129} saying {G3056}, and {G2532} was {G1096} a stranger {G3941} in {G1722} the land {G1093} of Madian {G3099}, where {G3757} he begat {G1080} two {G1417} sons {G5207}.

On hearing this, Moshe fled the country and became an exile in the land of Midyan, where he had two sons.

At this remark, Moses fled to the land of Midian, where he lived as a foreigner and had two sons.

And Moses fled at this saying, and became a sojourner in the land of Midian, where he begat two sons.

Context of Acts 7:29

Acts 7:29 is part of Stephen's lengthy and powerful sermon before the Sanhedrin, where he recounts the history of Israel, emphasizing God's faithfulness and Israel's repeated rejection of His messengers, particularly Moses and ultimately Jesus. In the preceding verses (Acts 7:27-28), Stephen describes Moses' attempt to intervene in a dispute between two Hebrews, which resulted in him killing an Egyptian. When this act became known, Moses' life was in danger, prompting his flight from Egypt.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Timing and Preparation: Moses' flight to Midian, though seemingly an act of self-preservation, was part of God's sovereign plan. This period of forty years in the wilderness of Midian was crucial for Moses' spiritual and practical preparation to lead the Israelites out of Egyptian bondage. It transformed him from a prince in Pharaoh's court into a humble shepherd.
  • The Status of a Stranger: The verse highlights Moses becoming "a stranger in the land of Madian." This emphasizes his isolation and detachment from his former life of privilege, forcing him to rely on God in a new way. It also foreshadows Israel's own journey as strangers in the wilderness.
  • Family and New Beginnings: During his time in Midian, Moses married Zipporah and begat two sons, Gershom ("a stranger there") and Eliezer. This signifies a new chapter in his life, one that would eventually lead to his divine calling at the burning bush.

Linguistic Insights

The term "stranger" (Greek: πάροικος - paroikos) signifies a resident alien or sojourner, someone living in a foreign land without full citizenship rights. This word choice underscores Moses' complete break from his Egyptian identity and his new, humble status in Midian. It also resonates with the broader biblical theme of God's people often being strangers and pilgrims on earth.

Practical Application

Moses' experience in Midian teaches us about the importance of divine timing and the value of seasons of solitude or apparent setbacks. What seems like a detour or a period of obscurity can often be God's training ground, preparing us for future assignments. Just as Moses spent forty years in the wilderness before being called, we too may undergo periods of waiting, learning, and character development before stepping into God's ultimate plan for our lives. This verse encourages patience and trust in God's often mysterious ways of preparation.

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.

  • Exodus 18:2

    Then Jethro, Moses' father in law, took Zipporah, Moses' wife, after he had sent her back,

  • Exodus 18:4

    And the name of the other [was] Eliezer; for the God of my father, [said he, was] mine help, and delivered me from the sword of Pharaoh:

  • Exodus 2:14

    And he said, Who made thee a prince and a judge over us? intendest thou to kill me, as thou killedst the Egyptian? And Moses feared, and said, Surely this thing is known.

  • Exodus 2:22

    And she bare [him] a son, and he called his name Gershom: for he said, I have been a stranger in a strange land.

  • Exodus 4:19

    And the LORD said unto Moses in Midian, Go, return into Egypt: for all the men are dead which sought thy life.

  • Exodus 4:20

    And Moses took his wife and his sons, and set them upon an ass, and he returned to the land of Egypt: and Moses took the rod of God in his hand.

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