Acts 7:3

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

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}.

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

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

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

Acts 7:3 is part of Stephen's powerful sermon before the Sanhedrin, where he recounts the history of Israel, beginning with Abraham. This specific verse quotes God's direct command to Abraham (then Abram), initiating a foundational covenant relationship.

Historical and Cultural Context

Stephen, accused of blasphemy, uses this historical narrative to demonstrate God's consistent pattern of calling His people. The command to Abraham in Genesis 12:1 marked a pivotal moment. Abraham was living in Ur of the Chaldees, a highly developed Mesopotamian city, steeped in polytheistic worship. God's instruction to "Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred" was a radical demand, requiring Abraham to sever ties with his cultural, social, and religious heritage. In ancient Near Eastern society, leaving one's family and homeland was an immense sacrifice, signifying a complete surrender to a higher authority.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Initiative and Call: The verse highlights that God initiates the relationship, calling Abraham out of his existing circumstances. This underscores God's sovereignty and His desire to establish a unique people.
  • Radical Obedience: Abraham's immediate response to this challenging command demonstrates profound obedience. He leaves without knowing the specific destination, trusting entirely in God's guidance. This theme is further explored in Hebrews 11:8, which praises his faith.
  • Separation for a Divine Purpose: The call involves a necessary separation from the familiar and comfortable to embark on a new, God-ordained journey. This principle of being set apart for God's purposes is a recurring biblical theme.
  • Promise of a Future: God promises a "land which I shall shew thee," implying a future inheritance and a divine destination. This promise forms the basis of the covenant with Abraham and the eventual establishment of the nation of Israel.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek phrase for "country" (chōras) refers to a specific region or territory, while "kindred" (syngeneias) emphasizes blood relatives and the extended family unit. The command to leave both signifies a complete break from his past identity and security. The phrase "which I shall shew thee" (hēn deixō soi) indicates God's active and ongoing revelation. Abraham was not to discover the land himself but was to be led to it by divine guidance, emphasizing God's control over his journey.

Practical Application

Acts 7:3 offers timeless lessons for believers today. God continues to call individuals to step out in faith, sometimes requiring them to leave behind comfortable situations, old habits, or familiar ways of thinking for His purposes. This verse encourages us to cultivate a spirit of radical obedience and trust in God's leading, even when the path ahead is not fully clear. Just as Abraham obeyed without knowing the destination, we are called to trust that God will reveal His will and provide for us as we follow His divine commands. It reminds us that true spiritual growth often begins with a willingness to leave our "country and kindred" for God's unknown, yet perfect, plan.

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.

  • 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,

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