Acts 7:49

Heaven [is] my throne, and earth [is] my footstool: what house will ye build me? saith the Lord: or what [is] the place of my rest?

Heaven {G3772} is my {G3427} throne {G2362}, and {G1161} earth {G1093} is my {G3450} footstool {G4228}{G5286}: what {G4169} house {G3624} will ye build {G3618} me {G3427}? saith {G3004} the Lord {G2962}: or {G2228} what {G5101} is the place {G5117} of my {G3450} rest {G2663}?

‘Heaven is my throne,’ says Adonai,
‘and the earth is my footstool.
What kind of house could you build for me?
What kind of place could you devise for my rest?

‘Heaven is My throne and the earth is My footstool. What kind of house will you build for Me, says the Lord, or where will My place of repose be?

The heaven is my throne, And the earth the footstool of my feet: What manner of house will ye build me? saith the Lord: Or what is the place of my rest?

Acts 7:49 is a powerful declaration from Stephen's sermon before the Sanhedrin, directly quoting from the prophet Isaiah (specifically Isaiah 66:1). In this verse, God challenges the notion that He can be confined or fully honored by any human-made structure, no matter how grand.

Context

This verse is part of Stephen's extensive defense and historical recounting before the Jewish high council, a speech that ultimately led to his martyrdom. Stephen highlights God's presence with His people throughout history, from Abraham to Moses, often outside of a physical temple. He emphasizes that God's dwelling is not limited to buildings made by human hands, as he states in the preceding verse. By quoting Isaiah 66:1-2, Stephen directly confronts the Jewish leaders' overemphasis on the Jerusalem Temple as the sole place of God's presence, implying that their focus on the physical structure had overshadowed their understanding of God's boundless nature and true spiritual worship.

Meaning and Significance

The imagery of "Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool" vividly portrays God's absolute sovereignty, immense power, and universal dominion. A throne signifies authority and rule, while a footstool implies subjugation and control. This metaphor communicates that the entire cosmos is God's domain; He is not merely confined to one place or nation, nor does He require a physical dwelling built by human hands to reside or be worshiped. The rhetorical questions, "what house will ye build me? saith the Lord: or what is the place of my rest?", underscore God's self-sufficiency and transcendence. He doesn't need a house, for He created all things and fills all space. Even Solomon himself recognized this when dedicating the first temple.

Key Themes

  • God's Transcendence and Omnipresence: The verse powerfully asserts that God is above and beyond all creation, limitless and present everywhere. He cannot be contained or defined by human constructs.
  • Critique of Materialism in Worship: It challenges the idea that God is somehow more present or better served in a physical building than in the hearts and lives of His people. True worship is not about the edifice, but about the spirit.
  • Divine Sovereignty: The imagery of "throne" and "footstool" emphasizes God's supreme authority and control over all things, from the highest heavens to the lowest parts of the earth.

Linguistic Insights

The phrasing "Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool" is highly figurative language, drawing on ancient Near Eastern concepts of a king's dominion. The throne represents the seat of power and authority, while the footstool symbolizes a conquered territory or a subject's humble position before the monarch. Applied to God, it means His rule extends over everything, and all creation is subservient to His will. This is a powerful expression of His majesty and uncontainability, rather than a literal description.

Practical Application

For believers today, Acts 7:49 serves as a vital reminder that our worship and relationship with God are not bound by physical locations or ornate structures. While church buildings serve important purposes for gathering and community, God's true dwelling is not in temples made with hands, but in the hearts of those who believe (1 Corinthians 6:19). This verse encourages us to focus on internal devotion, spiritual truth, and living a life that honors God, rather than relying on external rituals or physical spaces. We are called to worship God in spirit and in truth, recognizing His omnipresence in every aspect of our lives.

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.

  • Isaiah 66:1

    ¶ Thus saith the LORD, The heaven [is] my throne, and the earth [is] my footstool: where [is] the house that ye build unto me? and where [is] the place of my rest?

  • Psalms 11:4

    ¶ The LORD [is] in his holy temple, the LORD'S throne [is] in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men.

  • John 4:21

    Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father.

  • Jeremiah 23:24

    Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the LORD. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the LORD.

  • 1 Kings 22:19

    And he said, Hear thou therefore the word of the LORD: I saw the LORD sitting on his throne, and all the host of heaven standing by him on his right hand and on his left.

  • Revelation 3:21

    To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.

  • Matthew 5:34

    But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne:

Add TrulyRandomVerse to your Home Screen for quick access!

← Back