Acts 7:34

I have seen, I have seen the affliction of my people which is in Egypt, and I have heard their groaning, and am come down to deliver them. And now come, I will send thee into Egypt.

I have seen {G1492}, I have seen {G1492} the affliction {G2561} of my {G3450} people {G2992} which {G3588} is in {G1722} Egypt {G125}, and {G2532} I have heard {G191} their {G846} groaning {G4726}, and {G2532} am come down {G2597} to deliver {G1807} them {G846}. And {G2532} now {G3568} come {G1204}, I will send {G649} thee {G4571} into {G1519} Egypt {G125}.

I have clearly seen how My people are being oppressed in Egypt, I have heard their cry, and I have come down to rescue them, and now I will send you to Egypt.’

I have indeed seen the oppression of My people in Egypt. I have heard their groaning and have come down to deliver them. Now come, I will send you back to Egypt.’

I have surely seen the affliction of my people that is in Egypt, and have heard their groaning, and I am come down to deliver them: and now come, I will send thee into Egypt.

Commentary

Acts 7:34 KJV is a pivotal moment in Stephen's defense before the Sanhedrin, where he recounts God's direct words to Moses at the burning bush. This verse highlights God's profound awareness of His people's suffering and His active plan for their deliverance.

Context of Acts 7:34

This verse is part of Stephen's lengthy and impassioned speech to the Jewish council, detailing the history of Israel from Abraham to Solomon. Stephen uses the story of Moses, a figure revered by the Jews, to illustrate God's consistent pattern of choosing and sending deliverers, even when met with rejection. Specifically, Acts 7:34 quotes God's declaration to Moses from the burning bush in Exodus 3, emphasizing God's initiation of the plan to free the Israelites from their harsh bondage in Egypt.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Empathy and Awareness: The repeated phrase "I have seen, I have seen" underscores God's intense and certain observation of His people's "affliction" and "groaning." This isn't a casual glance but a deep, compassionate understanding of their suffering. It assures us that God is not distant from human pain.
  • God's Initiative in Deliverance: God explicitly states, "and am come down to deliver them." This highlights God's active, personal involvement in the rescue of His people. He doesn't merely observe; He intervenes. This divine intervention is a central theme throughout biblical history, from the Red Sea crossing to the ultimate deliverance through Christ.
  • Divine Commissioning: Following His declaration of intent, God immediately commissions Moses: "And now come, I will send thee into Egypt." This demonstrates that God often works through human instruments to accomplish His will. Moses, despite his initial reluctance, was chosen and empowered by God for this monumental task.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek phrase "I have seen, I have seen" (idōn eidon) is a Hebraism, a common idiomatic expression in the Old Testament used to emphasize certainty and intensity. It means "I have surely seen" or "I have truly seen." Similarly, "groaning" (stenagmou) conveys the deep, inarticulate cries of distress and pain from the enslaved Israelites, which resonated deeply with God.

Practical Application

Acts 7:34 offers profound encouragement and insight for believers today. It reminds us that:

  • God Hears Our Cries: Just as God heard the groaning of the Israelites, He remains attentive to the suffering and prayers of His people in every generation. We can be confident in His awareness of our troubles, as seen in Psalm 34:17.
  • God Acts for Deliverance: We serve a God who actively intervenes. While deliverance may not always look like a dramatic exodus, God continues to work for the freedom and well-being of His children, whether from spiritual bondage, oppression, or personal trials.
  • God Calls Us to Service: Like Moses, we are often called to be part of God's redemptive work in the world. Our compassion for others' suffering should lead us to ask how God might be sending us to be agents of His love and justice, aligning with the call to make disciples of all nations.
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Exodus 3:7

    ΒΆ And the LORD said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which [are] in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows;

  • Exodus 3:10

    Come now therefore, and I will send thee unto Pharaoh, that thou mayest bring forth my people the children of Israel out of Egypt.

  • Psalms 106:44

    Nevertheless he regarded their affliction, when he heard their cry:

  • Nehemiah 9:9

    And didst see the affliction of our fathers in Egypt, and heardest their cry by the Red sea;

  • Exodus 4:31

    And the people believed: and when they heard that the LORD had visited the children of Israel, and that he had looked upon their affliction, then they bowed their heads and worshipped.

  • John 6:38

    For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.

  • Exodus 2:23

    ΒΆ And it came to pass in process of time, that the king of Egypt died: and the children of Israel sighed by reason of the bondage, and they cried, and their cry came up unto God by reason of the bondage.
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