Acts 7:44

Our fathers had the tabernacle of witness in the wilderness, as he had appointed, speaking unto Moses, that he should make it according to the fashion that he had seen.

Our {G2257} fathers {G3962} had {G2258} the tabernacle {G4633} of witness {G3142}{G1722} in {G1722} the wilderness {G2048}, as {G2531} he had appointed {G1299}, speaking {G2980} unto Moses {G3475}, that he should make {G4160} it {G846} according {G2596} to the fashion {G5179} that {G3739} he had seen {G3708}.

“Our fathers had the Tent of Witness in the wilderness. It had been made just as God, who spoke to Moshe, had ordered it made, according to the pattern Moshe had seen.

Our fathers had the tabernacle of the Testimony with them in the wilderness. It was constructed exactly as God had directed Moses, according to the pattern he had seen.

Our fathers had the tabernacle of the testimony in the wilderness, even as he appointed who spake unto Moses, that he should make it according to the figure that he had seen.

Context

Acts 7:44 is part of Stephen's lengthy defense speech before the Sanhedrin, which chronicles the history of Israel from Abraham to Solomon. Stephen, accused of speaking against the Temple and the Law, uses this historical review to demonstrate God's consistent working through various dispensations, often outside or prior to the fixed Temple itself. Here, he focuses on the Tabernacle in the wilderness, highlighting its divine origin and God's specific instructions for its construction. This verse serves to underscore God's direct involvement in establishing worship among His people, even before the Temple was built.

Key Themes

  • Divine Blueprint and Authority: Stephen emphasizes that the Tabernacle was not a human invention but built "as he had appointed, speaking unto Moses." This underscores God's ultimate authority over worship and His meticulous attention to detail. The phrase "according to the fashion that he had seen" points to a heavenly prototype, reinforcing that the earthly structure was a divine revelation, not a man-made concept.
  • The "Tabernacle of Witness": The Tabernacle is called the "tabernacle of witness" because it served as a constant testimony to God's presence among His people, a witness to His covenant, His laws, and His promises. It was the central place where God met with Israel, validating His relationship with them and serving as a tangible sign of His guiding presence during their wilderness journey.
  • God's Portable Presence: Unlike the later fixed Temple in Jerusalem, the Tabernacle was mobile, designed to accompany Israel through their journeys in the wilderness. This symbolizes God's readiness to dwell with His people wherever they are, not confined to a single geographical location or edifice, a point relevant to Stephen's broader argument about God not dwelling in temples made with hands.

Linguistic Insights

The term "tabernacle of witness" translates the Greek skēnē tou martyriou (σκηνὴ τοῦ μαρτυρίου). The word skēnē refers to a tent or dwelling, emphasizing its portable nature. Martyriou signifies "testimony" or "evidence." Thus, the name highlights the Tabernacle's function as a tangible proof and constant reminder of God's covenant, His laws, and His active presence among His people, serving as a witness to His divine authority and faithfulness.

Related Scriptures

  • The detailed instructions for the Tabernacle's construction are found in Exodus 25-31, where God explicitly commands Moses to make it "according to all that I shew thee, after the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall ye make it."
  • The concept of the earthly Tabernacle being a copy of a heavenly original is further developed in the New Testament, particularly in Hebrews 8:5, which states that the priests "serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount."

Practical Application

Stephen's emphasis on the Tabernacle's divine origin reminds us that true worship and service to God must be rooted in His revealed will, not human preferences or traditions. Just as God gave a specific "fashion" or blueprint for the Tabernacle, so too does He provide guidance for how we are to approach Him and live for Him today. This verse encourages believers to seek God's blueprint for their lives and worship, recognizing that His ways are perfect and purposeful. It also subtly prepares the audience for the idea that God's presence is not limited to physical structures, but can be found in a more personal and spiritual way, ultimately fulfilled in Christ and the New Covenant.

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.

  • Exodus 25:40

    And look that thou make [them] after their pattern, which was shewed thee in the mount.

  • Exodus 38:21

    ¶ This is the sum of the tabernacle, [even] of the tabernacle of testimony, as it was counted, according to the commandment of Moses, [for] the service of the Levites, by the hand of Ithamar, son to Aaron the priest.

  • Hebrews 8:5

    Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, [that] thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount.

  • Numbers 9:15

    ¶ And on the day that the tabernacle was reared up the cloud covered the tabernacle, [namely], the tent of the testimony: and at even there was upon the tabernacle as it were the appearance of fire, until the morning.

  • 2 Chronicles 24:6

    And the king called for Jehoiada the chief, and said unto him, Why hast thou not required of the Levites to bring in out of Judah and out of Jerusalem the collection, [according to the commandment] of Moses the servant of the LORD, and of the congregation of Israel, for the tabernacle of witness?

  • Numbers 1:50

    But thou shalt appoint the Levites over the tabernacle of testimony, and over all the vessels thereof, and over all things that [belong] to it: they shall bear the tabernacle, and all the vessels thereof; and they shall minister unto it, and shall encamp round about the tabernacle.

  • Numbers 1:53

    But the Levites shall pitch round about the tabernacle of testimony, that there be no wrath upon the congregation of the children of Israel: and the Levites shall keep the charge of the tabernacle of testimony.

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