Acts 7:3

KJV

And said unto him, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and come into the land which I shall shew thee.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} said {G2036} unto {G4314} him {G846}, Get thee {G1831} out of {G1537} thy {G4675} country {G1093}, and {G2532} from {G1537} thy {G4675} kindred {G4772}, and {G2532} come {G1204} into {G1519} the land {G1093} which {G3739}{G302} I shall shew {G1166} thee {G4671}.

Complete Jewish Bible

and said to him, ‘Leave your land and your family, and go into the land that I will show you.’

Berean Standard Bible

and told him, ‘Leave your country and your kindred and go to the land I will show you.’

American Standard Version

and said unto him, Get thee out of thy land, and from thy kindred, and come into the land which I shall show thee.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 7:3 presents God's foundational command to Abraham, initiating a radical call to depart from his homeland and family. This pivotal divine instruction, recounted by Stephen in his defense before the Sanhedrin, underscores God's sovereign initiative in establishing a covenant relationship, demanding profound obedience and trust from Abraham as he embarked on a journey to an as-yet-unrevealed land, setting the trajectory for the entire history of Israel.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Acts 7:3 is embedded within Stephen's extensive historical sermon, which spans from the call of Abraham to the building of Solomon's Temple and the coming of Christ. Stephen, falsely accused of blasphemy against the Temple and the Law, strategically recounts Israel's history to demonstrate God's consistent pattern of working outside human-made structures and through individuals chosen by divine initiative. The sermon serves as a defense, arguing that God's presence is not confined to the Temple and that Israel has a history of resisting the Holy Spirit, culminating in the rejection of the Messiah. This verse, quoting God's original command to Abraham from [Genesis 12:1](/genesis/12-1 "Genesis 12:1 - The Call of Abram"), establishes the precedent of God calling His people out of their comfort zones and into a new, divinely directed path, thereby setting the stage for Stephen's implicit critique of his audience's rigid adherence to tradition over divine revelation.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Abraham's original call took place in Ur of the Chaldees, a highly advanced Mesopotamian city-state during the early second millennium BC. Ur was a hub of sophisticated polytheistic worship, with a prominent cult dedicated to the moon god Nanna. In ancient Near Eastern society, one's identity, security, and social standing were inextricably linked to their family (kindred) and land (country). To "get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred" was an exceptionally radical and dangerous command. It meant severing ties with ancestral gods, economic stability, social protection, and cultural identity, venturing into the unknown. This command highlighted the exclusive and absolute nature of the God of Abraham, who demanded singular allegiance and a complete break from the prevailing pagan worldview, setting Abraham apart as the progenitor of a new people defined by their relationship with this one true God.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully introduces several overarching themes that resonate throughout Stephen's sermon and the biblical narrative. The most prominent is **Divine Initiative and Call**, emphasizing that God sovereignly chooses and calls individuals for His purposes, as seen in Abraham's call, Moses' commissioning in [Acts 7:30-34](/acts/7-30-34 "Acts 7:30-34 - Moses at the Burning Bush"), and ultimately the sending of Jesus. Closely related is the theme of **Radical Obedience and Faith**, exemplified by Abraham's willingness to leave everything familiar based solely on God's word, a faith later commended in [Hebrews 11:8](/hebrews/11-8 "Hebrews 11:8 - Abraham's Obedience of Faith"). The command also highlights **Separation for a Divine Purpose**, where God sets apart a people from the world's systems and idolatries to be uniquely His own, a principle echoed in the Law's commands for Israel's distinctiveness and the New Testament's call for believers to be "in the world but not of the world" ([John 17:14-16](/john/17-14-16 "John 17:14-16 - Jesus Prays for His Disciples")). Finally, the promise of a "land which I shall shew thee" introduces the theme of **Divine Promise and Future Inheritance**, which undergirds the entire covenant with Abraham and points to God's faithfulness in guiding His people towards their ultimate destiny, a theme that finds its ultimate fulfillment in the heavenly Jerusalem ([Hebrews 11:10](/hebrews/11-10 "Hebrews 11:10 - The Heavenly City")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Get thee out (Greek, _exérchomai'_):** This verb, G1831, signifies "to issue (literally or figuratively); to come forth, out; depart." In this context, it is an imperative command, demanding a decisive and complete departure. It implies not merely a physical relocation but an existential separation from one's roots, identity, and security. The force of the command underscores the radical nature of God's call, requiring Abraham to fully disengage from his past life and associations.
* **kindred (Greek, _syngéneia'_):** G4772 refers to "relationship, i.e. (concretely) relatives." In ancient societies, one's kindred represented their social safety net, economic support, and cultural identity. To leave one's kindred was to abandon all traditional forms of security and belonging. This word highlights the immense personal sacrifice involved in Abraham's obedience, emphasizing the depth of his trust in God over human ties.
* **shew (Greek, _deiknýō'_):** G1166 means "to show (literally or figuratively)." This word is crucial as it indicates God's active and ongoing revelation and guidance. Abraham was not given a map or a precise destination upfront; rather, God promised to "shew" him the land progressively. This emphasizes the nature of the journey as one of absolute dependence on divine direction, highlighting God's sovereignty and Abraham's need for continuous faith and observation of God's leading.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And said unto him,"**: This opening phrase identifies the speaker as God and the recipient as Abraham, establishing the divine origin and authority of the command. It grounds Stephen's narrative in the foundational acts of God in Israel's history, emphasizing that God initiates the relationship and directs His chosen ones.
* **"Get thee out of thy country,"**: This is the first part of God's twofold command for separation. "Country" (Greek, _gē_) refers to Abraham's geographical homeland, Ur of the Chaldees, along with its cultural and religious milieu. The command demands a physical and ideological exodus from the pagan environment, signaling the beginning of a new, distinct identity for Abraham and his descendants.
* **"and from thy kindred,"**: This is the second, equally radical, part of the command. "Kindred" (Greek, _syngéneia_) signifies his extended family and social network. In a collectivist society, leaving one's family was an act of profound dislocation, severing the bonds of protection, identity, and inheritance. This aspect of the command underscores the total surrender required of Abraham, prioritizing God's call above all human allegiances and securities.
* **"and come into the land"**: This phrase introduces the positive aspect of the command – the destination. It is an imperative to move towards a new territory, signifying a journey of faith and dependence. The "land" (Greek, _gē_) is not immediately specified, emphasizing that the journey itself, guided by God, is as important as the destination.
* **"which I shall shew thee."**: This concluding clause reveals the nature of God's promise and guidance. The future tense "I shall shew" highlights God's active role in revealing the path and the destination incrementally. It implies that Abraham's journey would be one of continuous divine leading, requiring ongoing trust and responsiveness rather than a predetermined itinerary. This divine showing underscores God's faithfulness and Abraham's absolute reliance on His providential direction.

#### Literary Devices
Acts 7:3 employs several powerful literary devices. The most prominent is **Imperative Mood**, as God issues direct commands ("Get thee out," "come") to Abraham. This highlights the divine authority and the non-negotiable nature of the call, demanding immediate and absolute obedience. There is also clear **Contrast** between Abraham's current state ("thy country," "thy kindred") and the promised future ("the land which I shall shew thee"). This contrast emphasizes the radical break from the familiar and secure to embrace the unknown, divinely-ordained future. Furthermore, the phrase "which I shall shew thee" utilizes **Divine Revelation** and **Progressive Guidance**, indicating that God's plan unfolds incrementally, requiring ongoing faith rather than complete foreknowledge. This sets a pattern for God's interaction with His people throughout history, where trust in His leading is paramount. Finally, the narrative of Abraham's call serves as a **Typology** or **Foreshadowing**, establishing a pattern for subsequent divine calls to separation and pilgrimage, including the exodus of Israel from Egypt and the spiritual journey of believers in Christ.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 7:3 encapsulates profound theological truths that reverberate throughout Scripture. It underscores the concept of God's sovereign election and His initiative in calling individuals into covenant relationship. Abraham's radical obedience, leaving behind all human security, sets a paradigm for faith that trusts God's unseen provision and unknown destination. This call to separation from the world's systems and allegiances for a divine purpose is a recurring biblical theme, from Israel's distinctiveness as a nation set apart to the New Testament's call for believers to live as aliens and strangers, pilgrims on a journey towards a heavenly city. The promise of a "land" foreshadows not only the physical inheritance of Israel but also the spiritual inheritance and eternal dwelling promised to all who walk by faith.

* [Genesis 12:1-4](/genesis/12-1-4 "The Call and Obedience of Abram")
* [Hebrews 11:8](/hebrews/11-8 "Abraham's Obedience of Faith")
* [Philippians 3:20](/philippians/3-20 "Our Citizenship is in Heaven")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 7:3 serves as a timeless reminder that God continues to call His people to radical obedience and trust. Just as Abraham was called to leave the familiar and secure for an unknown, divinely-guided future, believers today are often called to step out of their comfort zones, relinquish control, and surrender to God's leading. This might involve leaving behind old habits, destructive relationships, worldly ambitions, or even deeply ingrained cultural norms that conflict with God's will. The verse challenges us to examine where our ultimate security lies – in our "country" (our possessions, careers, social status) or our "kindred" (our family expectations, peer pressure, human approval) – versus our complete reliance on God. True spiritual growth often begins with a willingness to embrace the discomfort of the unknown, trusting that God will "shew" us the way, providing for our needs and guiding us to His perfect purpose. Our pilgrimage of faith requires daily surrender, listening for His voice, and moving forward even when the path ahead is not fully clear, knowing that the One who calls is faithful to lead.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "country" or "kindred" might God be calling me to "get out of" in my life today?**
* **In what areas of my life am I resisting God's call to radical obedience, perhaps due to fear of the unknown or attachment to worldly security?**
* **How does Abraham's journey of trusting God to "shew" him the way encourage me to rely more fully on divine guidance in my own life?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of Stephen quoting Acts 7:3 in his sermon?**

Answer: Stephen's quotation of [Acts 7:3](/acts/7-3 "Acts 7:3 - God's Call to Abraham") from God's original command to Abraham in [Genesis 12:1](/genesis/12-1 "Genesis 12:1 - The Call of Abram") is highly significant. It serves as the foundational point of his historical narrative, demonstrating God's consistent pattern of initiating relationships and calling His people out of their existing circumstances. By starting with Abraham's call, Stephen highlights that God's presence and work are not confined to the Temple or the Law, but began with a personal, radical call to an individual in a foreign land. This implicitly challenges his audience's rigid, institutionalized faith, suggesting that true faith involves a dynamic, obedient response to God's direct revelation, much like Abraham's, rather than mere adherence to tradition. It sets the stage for Stephen to argue that Israel, throughout its history, has resisted God's Spirit and His chosen messengers, culminating in their rejection of Jesus, the ultimate fulfillment of God's promises.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 7:3, recounting God's call to Abraham, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in several ways. Just as Abraham was called to leave his earthly country and kindred to follow God's unseen leading to a promised land, so too are believers called to leave behind their "old self" and worldly allegiances to follow Christ. Jesus Himself embodies the ultimate obedience to the Father, leaving the glory of heaven to enter human history and fulfill God's redemptive plan, becoming 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")). His call to discipleship is a radical summons to "deny himself and take up his cross and follow me" ([Matthew 16:24](/matthew/16-24 "Matthew 16:24 - Take Up Your Cross and Follow Jesus")), echoing Abraham's complete surrender. Furthermore, the "land which I shall shew thee" finds its ultimate reality not merely in a physical territory but in the spiritual inheritance and eternal dwelling offered through Christ. He is the one who "shows" us the way to the Father, declaring "I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto the Father, but by me" ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus is the Way, Truth, Life")). Through Christ, believers become Abraham's spiritual offspring, heirs according to the promise ([Galatians 3:29](/galatians/3-29 "Galatians 3:29 - Heirs According to the Promise")), embarking on a spiritual pilgrimage towards the "heavenly country" and the "city whose builder and maker is God" ([Hebrews 11:10](/hebrews/11-10 "Hebrews 11:10 - The Heavenly City")), which is ultimately realized in the new heavens and new earth where God dwells with His people ([Revelation 21:1-4](/revelation/21-1-4 "Revelation 21:1-4 - The New Heaven and New Earth")).

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 12:1

¶ Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee:

Hebrews 11:8

By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.

Joshua 24:3

And I took your father Abraham from the other side of the flood, and led him throughout all the land of Canaan, and multiplied his seed, and gave him Isaac.

Genesis 15:7

¶ And he said unto him, I [am] the LORD that brought thee out of Ur of the Chaldees, to give thee this land to inherit it.

Nehemiah 9:8

And foundest his heart faithful before thee, and madest a covenant with him to give the land of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Jebusites, and the Girgashites, to give [it, I say], to his seed, and hast performed thy words; for thou [art] righteous:

Luke 14:33

So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.

2 Corinthians 6:17

Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean [thing]; and I will receive you,