Acts 7:45

Which also our fathers that came after brought in with Jesus into the possession of the Gentiles, whom God drave out before the face of our fathers, unto the days of David;

Which {G3739} also {G2532} our {G2257} fathers {G3962} that came {G1237} after brought in {G1521} with {G3326} Jesus {G2424} into {G1722} the possession {G2697} of the Gentiles {G1484}, whom {G3739} God {G2316} drave out {G1856} before {G575} the face {G4383} of our {G2257} fathers {G3962}, unto {G2193} the days {G2250} of David {G1138};

Later on, our fathers who had received it brought it in with Y’hoshua when they took the Land away from the nations that God drove out before them.

“So it was until the days of David.

And our fathers who received it brought it in with Joshua when they dispossessed the nations God drove out before them. It remained until the time of David,

Which also our fathers, in their turn, brought in with Joshua when they entered on the possession of the nations, that God thrust out before the face of our fathers, unto the days of David;

Context

Acts 7:45 is a pivotal part of Stephen's powerful sermon before the Sanhedrin, where he recounts the history of Israel to demonstrate God's faithful, yet often misunderstood, dealings with His people. Following his discussion of the Tabernacle of witness in Acts 7:44, this verse describes its journey and significance after Moses' time. Stephen's aim is to show that God's presence was not confined to a single structure or location, nor was it limited by human expectations, thereby challenging the rigid interpretations of the Temple-centric Jewish leaders.

Meaning and Key Themes

  • The Entry into the Promised Land: The phrase "Which also our fathers that came after brought in with Jesus into the possession of the Gentiles" refers to the Tabernacle being brought into the land of Canaan. The "fathers that came after" are the generation that followed Moses, led by Joshua.
  • "Jesus" as Joshua: A crucial linguistic insight is that "Jesus" here is a direct transliteration of the Greek name Iesous (Ἰησοῦς), which is the Greek form of the Hebrew name Yehoshua (יהושע), known in English as Joshua. Stephen is speaking of the historical figure Joshua, Moses' successor, who led Israel into the Promised Land. This is not referring to Jesus Christ. For more on Joshua's leadership, see Joshua 1:5.
  • God's Active Role: The phrase "whom God drave out before the face of our fathers" emphasizes God's sovereign power and faithfulness in fulfilling His covenant promises. He actively dispossessed the Canaanite nations, clearing the way for Israel to inhabit the land He had promised to Abraham. This divine intervention is a recurring theme in Israel's history, as seen in Deuteronomy 7:1.
  • Continuity of Divine Presence: The Tabernacle, a portable sanctuary, represented God's presence among His people. Its journey from the wilderness into Canaan, and its continued use "unto the days of David," highlights the enduring nature of God's covenant relationship with Israel through various eras and leaderships.
  • Leading to David: The Tabernacle remained the central place of worship and the symbol of God's dwelling among His people until the time of King David, who first conceived the idea of building a permanent temple for God, a task later completed by his son Solomon (see 2 Samuel 7:1).

Theological Significance & Application

Acts 7:45 underscores several profound truths:

  • God's Unwavering Faithfulness: Just as God faithfully led Israel into the Promised Land under Joshua and provided His presence through the Tabernacle, He remains faithful to His promises to His people today.
  • Divine Providence in History: The verse reminds us that God is actively involved in human history, guiding events and fulfilling His purposes. He "drave out" nations, demonstrating His power to clear obstacles for His people.
  • The Journey of Faith: The historical narrative of the Tabernacle's journey into a new land reflects the spiritual journey of believers. We are led by God into new territories of faith, often requiring us to trust in His power to overcome challenges.
  • God's Presence is Not Limited: Stephen's broader argument (culminating in Acts 7:48) is that God is not confined to physical structures. While the Tabernacle was important, it was a symbol of His presence, a truth that points forward to God's ultimate dwelling among His people through Christ and the Holy Spirit.
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.

  • Psalms 44:2

    [How] thou didst drive out the heathen with thy hand, and plantedst them; [how] thou didst afflict the people, and cast them out.

  • Acts 13:19

    And when he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Chanaan, he divided their land to them by lot.

  • Joshua 24:18

    And the LORD drave out from before us all the people, even the Amorites which dwelt in the land: [therefore] will we also serve the LORD; for he [is] our God.

  • Joshua 23:9

    For the LORD hath driven out from before you great nations and strong: but [as for] you, no man hath been able to stand before you unto this day.

  • Joshua 18:1

    ¶ And the whole congregation of the children of Israel assembled together at Shiloh, and set up the tabernacle of the congregation there. And the land was subdued before them.

  • Deuteronomy 32:49

    Get thee up into this mountain Abarim, [unto] mount Nebo, which [is] in the land of Moab, that [is] over against Jericho; and behold the land of Canaan, which I give unto the children of Israel for a possession:

  • Psalms 78:55

    He cast out the heathen also before them, and divided them an inheritance by line, and made the tribes of Israel to dwell in their tents.

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