Acts 7:33

KJV

Then said the Lord to him, Put off thy shoes from thy feet: for the place where thou standest is holy ground.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then {G1161} said {G2036} the Lord {G2962} to him {G846}, Put off {G3089} thy shoes {G5266} from thy {G4675} feet {G4228}: for {G1063} the place {G5117} where {G1722}{G3739} thou standest {G2476} is {G2076} holy {G40} ground {G1093}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Adonai said to him, ‘Take off your sandals, because the place where you are standing is holy ground.

Berean Standard Bible

Then the Lord said to him, ‘Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.

American Standard Version

And the Lord said unto him, Loose the shoes from thy feet: for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 7:33, a pivotal verse within Stephen's defense before the Sanhedrin, recounts the Lord's direct command to Moses at the burning bush to remove his sandals. This divine instruction serves as a profound declaration of the sacredness of the ground consecrated by God's immediate presence, underscoring the necessity of reverence and humility when encountering the Holy One of Israel, and foreshadowing Moses' divine commissioning for the liberation of his people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within Stephen's lengthy historical recounting of Israel's relationship with God, presented as his defense against charges of blasphemy against the Temple and the Law. In [Acts 7](/acts/7 "Acts 7 - Stephen's Speech"), Stephen systematically traces God's faithfulness from Abraham to the wilderness generation, culminating in the story of Moses. His narrative highlights God's presence and activity outside the confines of the Temple (e.g., with Abraham in Mesopotamia, Joseph in Egypt, and Moses in the wilderness), subtly challenging the Sanhedrin's rigid adherence to a localized understanding of God's dwelling. The encounter at the burning bush, detailed from [Acts 7:30-34](/acts/7-30-34 "Acts 7:30-34 - Moses at the Burning Bush"), is a central moment in Stephen's argument, establishing Moses' divine call and the initial revelation of God's holiness to him.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The command to "put off thy shoes from thy feet" was a widely recognized gesture of reverence and humility in the ancient Near East, particularly when approaching sacred spaces, entering a king's presence, or signifying a solemn oath. Shoes, often soiled from travel, were considered defiling in holy places, symbolizing the removal of earthly impurities and the adoption of a posture of submission. The setting, the "wilderness of Mount Sinai" (also known as Horeb), was considered a desolate and unholy place by human standards, yet it became profoundly sacred through God's direct manifestation. This encounter was not in a man-made temple but in the raw, untamed wilderness, emphasizing that God's holiness is inherent to His being and not confined to human constructs.
* **Key Themes:** Acts 7:33 contributes to several overarching themes within Stephen's speech and the book of Acts. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates the theme of **Divine Presence and Holiness**, demonstrating that God's immediate manifestation renders any location sacred, demanding a posture of awe and separation from the mundane. This challenges the notion that God's presence is limited to the Temple in Jerusalem, a point central to Stephen's argument that ultimately leads to his martyrdom. Secondly, it highlights **Reverence and Humility** as the appropriate human response to divine encounter, a theme echoed throughout Scripture when individuals stand before God's glory, as seen in [Exodus 3:5](/exodus/3-5 "Exodus 3:5 - God's Command to Moses") and [Joshua 5:15](/joshua/5-15 "Joshua's Encounter with the Commander of the Lord's Army"). Finally, the verse underscores **God's Sovereign Initiative and Commissioning**, as He actively seeks out and prepares Moses for his monumental task, a pattern seen in God's calling of prophets and apostles throughout biblical history, including the apostles in [Acts 1](/acts/1 "Acts 1 - The Ascension and Pentecost").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Lord (Greek, _kýrios_):** From G2962, meaning "supreme in authority," "controller," or "Master." In this context, it refers to God Himself, emphasizing His absolute sovereignty and authority over all creation and over Moses. The use of "Lord" here signifies the divine speaker, establishing the ultimate source of the command and the holiness of the ground.
* **Put off (Greek, _lýō_):** From G3089, meaning "to loosen," "destroy," or "unloose." The imperative "put off" is a direct command to Moses to remove his sandals. This action symbolizes the shedding of the common, the profane, and the earthly, in order to approach the divine in a state of reverence and humility, acknowledging the sacredness of the moment and place.
* **Holy (Greek, _hágios_):** From G40, meaning "sacred," "pure," "consecrated," or "set apart." This word describes the nature of the ground, not as inherently sacred, but as made so by the direct, manifest presence of God. It signifies a separation from the common or profane, indicating that the place is now dedicated to God and demands a unique and reverent approach.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then said the Lord to him,"**: This clause establishes the divine origin of the command. Stephen emphasizes that it is "the Lord" (God Himself) who speaks directly to Moses, signifying the supreme authority and weight of the subsequent instruction. This highlights God's personal engagement with His chosen servant and the direct nature of the revelation.
* **"Put off thy shoes from thy feet:"**: This is the specific command given to Moses. It is an immediate, non-negotiable directive that requires a physical act of obedience. As discussed in the cultural context, this action symbolizes humility, reverence, and the acknowledgment of sacred space, preparing Moses for a holy encounter.
* **"for the place where thou standest is holy ground."**: This final clause provides the divine rationale for the command. The ground is not holy by its own nature or by human consecration, but because God's manifest presence has transformed it into "holy ground." This declaration underscores God's immanence and transcendence, as His presence alone can sanctify any location, demanding a specific posture from those who approach Him.

#### Literary Devices
Stephen's use of this verse employs several literary devices. The most prominent is **Quotation**, as he directly cites [Exodus 3:5](/exodus/3-5 "Exodus 3:5 - God's Command to Moses"), lending scriptural authority and historical weight to his argument. This direct quotation serves to connect his contemporary audience to the foundational moments of Israel's history and God's interaction with His people. **Symbolism** is also central, with the "shoes" representing the common, the defiling, or the earthly, and their removal symbolizing humility, reverence, and the shedding of worldly concerns when entering God's presence. The "holy ground" itself is a powerful **Symbol** of God's immediate, sanctifying presence, transforming an ordinary location into a sacred space. Furthermore, the entire encounter is a **Theophany**, a visible manifestation of God, which is a common literary and theological device in biblical narratives used to convey the awesome and transcendent nature of the divine.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 7:33 profoundly connects to the broader biblical understanding of God's holiness and humanity's required response. It teaches that holiness is not merely an attribute of God but a transformative power that emanates from His presence, consecrating whatever He touches. This encounter at the burning bush serves as a foundational moment for understanding the concept of sacred space and the posture of reverence required of those who approach the divine. It establishes a theological precedent that God's presence, not human ritual or location, is the ultimate source of holiness. This principle challenges any notion that God can be confined to man-made structures or rituals, emphasizing His transcendence and sovereign ability to manifest anywhere He chooses.

* [Leviticus 10:3](/leviticus/10-3 "Leviticus 10:3 - God's Holiness and Reverence")
* [Isaiah 6:3](/isaiah/6-3 "Isaiah 6:3 - The Seraphim's Proclamation of God's Holiness")
* [Hebrews 12:29](/hebrews/12-29 "Hebrews 12:29 - Our God is a Consuming Fire")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The divine command to Moses in Acts 7:33 resonates deeply with believers today, calling us to cultivate a profound sense of reverence and awe in our daily lives. While we no longer encounter God in a burning bush on a physical mountain, the principle remains: wherever God's presence is acknowledged and honored, that space becomes "holy ground" in a spiritual sense. This challenges us to recognize the sacredness of our ordinary moments—in our homes, workplaces, and relationships—as opportunities to encounter the living God. It invites us to approach prayer, worship, and the reading of Scripture not as mundane tasks, but as sacred encounters demanding our full attention, humility, and submission. Our "shoes" can represent anything that hinders our full devotion or distracts us from God's presence—our pride, anxieties, or worldly concerns. By symbolically "putting off" these things, we prepare our hearts to truly meet with God and respond to His divine callings in our lives, just as Moses did.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you need to "put off your shoes" and recognize God's active presence?**
* **How does understanding God's holiness at the burning bush influence your approach to prayer and worship?**
* **What "shoes" (attitudes, habits, distractions) might you need to remove to cultivate a deeper sense of reverence for God in your daily life?**

### FAQ
**Why did God specifically command Moses to remove his shoes?**

Answer: The command to remove shoes was a deeply significant act in the ancient Near East, symbolizing reverence, humility, and the recognition of sacred space. Shoes, being in contact with the dust and impurities of the world, were considered defiling when entering a holy place or in the presence of royalty. By commanding Moses to remove his shoes, God was instructing him to shed all earthly defilement and adopt a posture of profound respect and submission before the manifest divine presence. This act prepared Moses' heart and mind for the holy encounter and underscored the absolute holiness of the God who was speaking, as also seen in [Joshua's similar experience](/joshua/5-15 "Joshua's Encounter with the Commander of the Lord's Army"). It was a physical demonstration of spiritual awe.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 7:33, while rooted in an Old Testament theophany, finds its ultimate fulfillment and transformation in Jesus Christ. The "holy ground" Moses stood upon was made sacred by God's temporary, localized presence. In Christ, however, God's holiness is not merely present *at* a place, but is fully embodied *in* a person. Jesus is the ultimate "holy ground," the very dwelling place of God among humanity ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "The Word Became Flesh")). Through His perfect life, atoning death, and resurrection, Christ has not only revealed God's holiness but has also made a way for sinful humanity to approach a holy God without fear of consumption. The veil in the temple was torn ([Matthew 27:51](/matthew/27-51 "The Temple Veil Torn")), signifying that access to God's presence is no longer restricted by physical barriers or ritualistic purification, but is granted freely through faith in Christ ([Hebrews 10:19-22](/hebrews/10-19-22 "Confidence to Enter the Most Holy Place")). Moreover, through Christ, believers are made holy and consecrated, becoming a "royal priesthood, a holy nation" ([1 Peter 2:9](/1_peter/2-9 "1 Peter 2:9 - A Chosen Race, a Royal Priesthood")), meaning that wherever a believer stands, Christ's indwelling presence makes that ground spiritually holy. We no longer need to remove physical shoes, but rather the "shoes" of sin and self-righteousness, to walk in the newness of life that Christ provides ([Romans 6:4](/romans/6-4 "Romans 6:4 - Newness of Life")).

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

Exodus 3:5

And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest [is] holy ground.

Joshua 5:15

And the captain of the LORD'S host said unto Joshua, Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest [is] holy. And Joshua did so.

2 Peter 1:18

And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.

Ecclesiastes 5:1

¶ Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil.