Acts 7:42

KJV

¶ Then God turned, and gave them up to worship the host of heaven; as it is written in the book of the prophets, O ye house of Israel, have ye offered to me slain beasts and sacrifices [by the space of] forty years in the wilderness?

KJV (with Strong's)

Then {G1161} God {G2316} turned {G4762}, and {G2532} gave {G3860} them {G846} up {G3860} to worship {G3000} the host {G4756} of heaven {G3772}; as it {G2531} is written {G1125} in {G1722} the book {G976} of the prophets {G4396}, O ye house {G3624} of Israel {G2474}, have ye offered {G3361}{G4374} to me {G3427} slain beasts {G4968} and {G2532} sacrifices {G2378} by the space of forty {G5062} years {G2094} in {G1722} the wilderness {G2048}?

Complete Jewish Bible

So God turned away from them and gave them over to worship the stars — as has been written in the book of the prophets,

‘People of Isra’el, it was not to me
that you offered slaughtered animals
and sacrifices for forty years in the wilderness!

Berean Standard Bible

But God turned away from them and gave them over to the worship of the host of heaven, as it is written in the book of the prophets: ‘Did you bring Me sacrifices and offerings forty years in the wilderness, O house of Israel?

American Standard Version

But God turned, and gave them up to serve the host of heaven; as it is written in the book of the prophets, Did ye offer unto me slain beasts and sacrifices Forty years in the wilderness, O house of Israel?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 7:42 captures a pivotal moment in Stephen's defense, where he powerfully indicts Israel for its historical pattern of rebellion and idolatry, particularly during the wilderness wanderings. Quoting from the prophet Amos, Stephen reveals that God, in His righteous judgment, "turned and gave them up" to worship celestial bodies, exposing the profound hypocrisy of their outward religious practices that failed to stem their deep-seated inclination towards false gods, even amidst divine provision and presence.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within Stephen's extensive sermon in [Acts 7](/acts/7 "Acts 7 - Stephen's Address to the Sanhedrin"), which serves as his defense before the Sanhedrin. Rather than directly refuting the charges against him, Stephen launches into a sweeping historical review of Israel, beginning with Abraham and progressing through Moses, the wilderness generation, and the building of the Temple. His narrative highlights a recurring theme: Israel's persistent rejection of God's chosen messengers and their tendency towards idolatry and disobedience despite God's faithfulness. Verse 42 specifically hones in on the wilderness period, challenging the idealized view of this foundational era by exposing the nation's spiritual infidelity, setting the stage for Stephen's ultimate accusation that his audience is merely continuing this long-standing pattern of resistance to the Holy Spirit and rejection of God's Christ.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Stephen's quotation in Acts 7:42 comes directly from [Amos 5:25-27](/amos/5-25-27 "Amos 5:25-27 - Israel's Hypocritical Worship"), a scathing indictment of Israel's ritualistic worship that lacked true devotion and was accompanied by social injustice and idolatry. The "host of heaven" refers to astral worship—the adoration of the sun, moon, stars, and constellations—a prevalent practice among ancient Near Eastern cultures, which Israel was explicitly forbidden to engage in ([Deuteronomy 4:19](/deuteronomy/4-19 "Deuteronomy 4:19 - Warning Against Idolatry")). Despite God's miraculous deliverance from Egypt and His manifest presence in the wilderness through the pillar of cloud and fire, Israel repeatedly succumbed to pagan influences, as evidenced by the golden calf incident ([Exodus 32:1-6](/exodus/32-1-6 "Exodus 32:1-6 - The Golden Calf")) and their later adoption of cultic practices associated with Molech and Rephan, as alluded to in the subsequent verses of Stephen's speech. Stephen's rhetorical question, "have ye offered to me slain beasts and sacrifices...forty years in the wilderness?" challenges the notion that their wilderness worship was pure or exclusive to Yahweh, implying that much of it was tainted by syncretism.

* **Key Themes:** Acts 7:42 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within Stephen's discourse and the book of Acts. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Judgment and Consequences**. God's act of "giving them up" signifies a severe form of judgment where He withdraws His restraining hand, allowing humanity to experience the destructive consequences of its chosen path of rebellion. This is not arbitrary punishment but a natural unfolding of human choices. Secondly, the verse highlights the pervasive theme of **Idolatry and Rebellion** that characterized Israel's history. Despite being God's covenant people, their hearts were often turned away from Him, seeking satisfaction and security in false gods and human constructs, a pattern that Stephen argues culminated in their rejection of Jesus. Lastly, it speaks to **God's Sovereignty and Patience**, demonstrating that while God is incredibly patient with human sin, there comes a point where persistent disobedience leads to a divine release, allowing humanity to reap what it sows, a concept echoed by Paul in [Romans 1:24-28](/romans/1-24-28 "Romans 1:24-28 - God Gives Them Over to Sin").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **turned (Greek, _stréphō'_):** This verb (G4762) signifies a turning, twisting, or reversing, implying a decisive and deliberate shift in direction or posture. In this context, it describes God's active decision to change His approach towards Israel, moving from direct intervention and restraint to a posture of allowing them to pursue their idolatrous desires. It denotes a turning away from His protective and guiding hand.
* **gave them up (Greek, _paradídōmi'_):** This word (G3860) means "to surrender," "to yield up," or "to deliver over." Here, it describes a divine act of handing over or abandoning, where God permits people to follow their own desires rather than continuing to restrain them. It's a severe form of judgment, allowing the natural, destructive consequences of sin to unfold without divine impediment.
* **to worship (Greek, _latreúō'_):** This verb (G3000) specifically refers to rendering religious homage or ministering to God. The irony in Stephen's use is profound: God "gave them up" to engage in the very act of worship, but it was directed towards the "host of heaven" rather than to Him, highlighting the perversion of their spiritual devotion.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then God turned, and gave them up to worship the host of heaven":** This clause describes a profound divine action. "God turned" signifies a deliberate shift in His disposition towards Israel, moving from active intervention or restraint to a posture of allowing their rebellious inclinations to run their course. The phrase "gave them up" (or "handed them over") indicates a judicial act where God permits Israel to indulge in their idolatry, withdrawing His protective and guiding hand. This is a severe form of judgment, allowing the natural consequences of their persistent rebellion to unfold. The object of their worship, "the host of heaven," refers to celestial bodies (sun, moon, stars) worshipped as deities, a practice explicitly forbidden by God.
* **"as it is written in the book of the prophets":** This phrase serves as Stephen's authoritative appeal to the Old Testament Scriptures, specifically the prophetic writings. By citing this, Stephen grounds his historical indictment in divine revelation, demonstrating that Israel's idolatry was not merely a human failing but a matter already condemned and foretold by God's own spokesmen. It highlights the continuity of divine judgment throughout Israel's history.
* **"O ye house of Israel, have ye offered to me slain beasts and sacrifices [by the space of] forty years in the wilderness?":** This is a rhetorical question quoted from Amos 5:25. It implies a resounding "No" regarding the purity and exclusivity of Israel's worship during their wilderness wanderings. While they did offer sacrifices, Stephen (through Amos) asserts that these were often performed hypocritically, alongside or even secondary to their worship of other gods. The question challenges the notion that their wilderness period was one of pure devotion, exposing the deep-seated idolatry that plagued them even during a time of intimate divine provision and presence.

#### Literary Devices
Stephen's use of [Acts 7:42](/acts/7-42 "Acts 7:42 - God Gives Israel Up to Idolatry") is rich with literary devices that amplify his message. The most prominent is **Allusion**, as he directly quotes from the prophet Amos, lending prophetic authority and historical weight to his accusation. This **Intertextuality** connects the contemporary Sanhedrin's rejection of Jesus to a long-standing pattern of rebellion in Israel's history. The verse also employs a powerful **Rhetorical Question** ("have ye offered to me slain beasts and sacrifices...forty years in the wilderness?"), which, though seemingly asking for an answer, is designed to provoke introspection and reveal a self-evident truth: Israel's worship in the wilderness was far from pure. This rhetorical device serves to indict his audience by forcing them to acknowledge their ancestors' (and implicitly, their own) hypocrisy. Furthermore, there is profound **Irony** in God "giving them up to worship" – the very act of worship, intended for God alone, is perverted by being directed towards false deities, highlighting the severity of God's judgment as a consequence of their persistent unfaithfulness.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 7:42 profoundly illustrates the theological principle of divine judgment, where God, in His righteous sovereignty, can withdraw His restraining grace when a people persistently reject His commands and pursue idolatry. This "giving up" is not an arbitrary act of vengeance but a consequence of humanity's free choice to turn away from God, allowing them to experience the natural, destructive outcomes of their chosen path. It underscores that true worship is not merely ritualistic but must stem from a heart devoted exclusively to God. The verse serves as a stark reminder that God's patience is not infinite, and persistent rebellion against His will ultimately leads to a state where He allows individuals or nations to reap the bitter harvest of their unfaithfulness, demonstrating His justice alongside His mercy.

* [Romans 1:24](/romans/1-24 "Romans 1:24 - God Gives Them Over to Uncleanness")
* [Psalm 81:11-12](/psalm/81-11-12 "Psalm 81:11-12 - Israel's Disobedience and God's Response")
* [Hosea 4:17](/hosea/4-17 "Hosea 4:17 - Ephraim is Joined to Idols")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 7:42 serves as a sobering mirror for believers today, challenging us to examine the true object of our worship and devotion. It warns against the insidious nature of idolatry, which, while perhaps not manifesting as literal star worship, can easily take root in anything that displaces God from the supreme position in our hearts—be it career, relationships, material possessions, comfort, or even self-righteousness. The divine act of "giving up" reminds us that God's patience, though vast, is not without limits, and persistent rebellion can lead to a spiritual barrenness where we are left to the destructive consequences of our own choices. This should not instill fear in the repentant heart, but rather a profound sense of urgency to continually align our lives, desires, and worship with God's will, seeking genuine devotion over mere outward religious observance. It calls us to cultivate a heart that truly seeks God above all else, recognizing that true freedom and flourishing are found only in Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "hosts of heaven" or idols might I be tempted to worship in my own life, subtly or overtly, that distract me from exclusive devotion to God?**
* **How does the concept of God "giving them up" challenge my understanding of His justice and mercy?**
* **In what areas of my life might my outward religious practices be disconnected from the true affections of my heart?**

### FAQ

**What does "worship the host of heaven" mean in this context?**

Answer: In [Acts 7:42](/acts/7-42 "Acts 7:42 - God Gives Israel Up to Idolatry"), "worship the host of heaven" refers to astral worship, the adoration of celestial bodies like the sun, moon, and stars, or the deities associated with them. This was a common pagan practice in the ancient Near East, which God explicitly forbade Israel from engaging in ([Deuteronomy 4:19](/deuteronomy/4-19 "Deuteronomy 4:19 - Warning Against Worshipping Celestial Bodies")). Stephen uses this phrase to highlight Israel's historical tendency to turn away from the true God and embrace the idolatrous practices of surrounding nations, even during their foundational period in the wilderness.

**Why did God "give them up" to worship idols? Was this a punishment or a permission?**

Answer: God "giving them up" (Greek: _paradídōmi_) is a profound theological concept that signifies both a judicial act of judgment and a permission. It is a divine withdrawal of His restraining hand, allowing humanity to experience the natural, destructive consequences of their persistent rebellion and chosen path of idolatry. It is not that God actively forced them to worship idols, but rather that He ceased to prevent them from doing so, allowing their deep-seated inclinations to run their course. This concept is echoed in [Romans 1:24-28](/romans/1-24-28 "Romans 1:24-28 - God Gives Them Over to Sin"), where Paul describes God giving people over to their sinful desires as a consequence of their rejection of Him. It underscores God's justice and the severe repercussions of persistent unfaithfulness.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Stephen's indictment in [Acts 7:42](/acts/7-42 "Acts 7:42 - God Gives Israel Up to Idolatry") powerfully foreshadows the ultimate rejection of God's final messenger, Jesus Christ. Just as God "gave up" Israel to their idolatry in the wilderness due to their persistent rebellion, so too did the Jewish leaders of Stephen's day, by rejecting Jesus, demonstrate a continuation of this ancient pattern of resisting the Holy Spirit and turning away from God's true revelation. However, the narrative of God "giving up" also finds its ultimate, paradoxical fulfillment in Christ's atoning work. For humanity, lost in its idolatry and sin, God "gave up" His own Son, Jesus, not to judgment for His own sin, but as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of the world ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God So Loved the World")). Jesus, the true "Lamb of God" ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), offered Himself up on the cross, taking upon Himself the consequences of humanity's idolatry and rebellion, so that those who believe in Him might be delivered from the divine "giving up" to judgment and instead be "given up" to new life in Him ([Romans 4:25](/romans/4-25 "Romans 4:25 - Christ Delivered Up for Our Offenses")). Through Christ, the true worship of God is restored, not through external rituals or a physical temple, but through the Spirit and truth ([John 4:23-24](/john/4-23-24 "John 4:23-24 - Worship in Spirit and Truth")), allowing all who believe to turn from their idols and truly worship the living God.

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

Amos 5:25

Have ye offered unto me sacrifices and offerings in the wilderness forty years, O house of Israel?

Amos 5:26

But ye have borne the tabernacle of your Moloch and Chiun your images, the star of your god, which ye made to yourselves.

Ezekiel 20:39

As for you, O house of Israel, thus saith the Lord GOD; Go ye, serve ye every one his idols, and hereafter [also], if ye will not hearken unto me: but pollute ye my holy name no more with your gifts, and with your idols.

Jeremiah 19:13

And the houses of Jerusalem, and the houses of the kings of Judah, shall be defiled as the place of Tophet, because of all the houses upon whose roofs they have burned incense unto all the host of heaven, and have poured out drink offerings unto other gods.

Psalms 81:11

But my people would not hearken to my voice; and Israel would none of me.

Psalms 81:12

So I gave them up unto their own hearts' lust: [and] they walked in their own counsels.

Deuteronomy 4:19

And lest thou lift up thine eyes unto heaven, and when thou seest the sun, and the moon, and the stars, [even] all the host of heaven, shouldest be driven to worship them, and serve them, which the LORD thy God hath divided unto all nations under the whole heaven.