Acts 7:5

KJV

And he gave him none inheritance in it, no, not [so much as] to set his foot on: yet he promised that he would give it to him for a possession, and to his seed after him, when [as yet] he had no child.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} he gave {G1325} him {G846} none {G3756} inheritance {G2817} in {G1722} it {G846}, no, not {G3761} so much as to set {G968} his foot {G4228} on {G968}: yet {G2532} he promised {G1861} that he would give {G1325} it {G846} to him {G846} for {G1519} a possession {G2697}, and {G2532} to his {G846} seed {G4690} after {G3326} him {G846}, when as yet he {G846} had {G5607} no {G3756} child {G5043}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He gave him no inheritance in it, not even space for one foot; yet he promised to give it to him as a possession and to his descendants after him, even though at the time he was childless.

Berean Standard Bible

He gave him no inheritance here, not even a foot of ground. But God promised to give possession of the land to Abraham and his descendants, even though he did not yet have a child.

American Standard Version

and he gave him none inheritance in it, no, not so much as to set his foot on: and he promised that he would give it to him in possession, and to his seed after him, when as yet he had no child.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 7:5, part of Stephen's pivotal defense before the Sanhedrin, underscores a profound paradox in God's covenant with Abraham: despite God's solemn promise to grant him the land of Canaan as an eternal possession, Abraham himself never owned a single foot of it during his lifetime. This verse highlights the certainty of divine promise, the nature of faith that trusts in delayed fulfillment, and God's sovereign timing, revealing that the ultimate realization of God's plans often extends beyond an individual's immediate experience, pointing instead to a future inheritance for his descendants.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Stephen's speech in Acts 7 serves as a sweeping historical review of Israel, from Abraham to Solomon, designed to counter the accusations of blasphemy against the Temple and the Law. By recounting God's dealings with their forefathers, Stephen aims to demonstrate God's consistent presence outside the Temple (e.g., with Abraham in Mesopotamia, with Moses in the wilderness) and Israel's recurring pattern of rebellion against divine revelation. Acts 7:5 specifically follows Stephen's account of God's call to Abraham in Mesopotamia and His initial promise of the land (Acts 7:2-4). This verse sets up the tension between God's clear promise and the patriarch's lack of immediate physical possession, a theme that Stephen will subtly use to illustrate that God's work is not bound by physical structures or immediate gratification, but by His eternal purpose.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is Jerusalem, before the Sanhedrin, the supreme Jewish judicial and religious council. Stephen, a Hellenistic Jew, is on trial for allegedly speaking against the Temple and the Law. For the Jewish people, the land of Canaan was not merely real estate; it was the tangible manifestation of God's covenant faithfulness, a central component of their identity and divine blessing. The promise of the land, first given to Abraham, was foundational to their national narrative. Stephen's emphasis on Abraham's landlessness, despite the promise, would have been striking to his audience, challenging their conventional understanding of immediate fulfillment and perhaps subtly preparing them for a spiritualized understanding of God's promises that transcends mere physical possession. Abraham's nomadic lifestyle, living in tents as a sojourner in the very land promised to him and his descendants, was a well-known aspect of his history.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Stephen's speech and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it emphasizes the **Certainty of Divine Promise**, illustrating that God's word is immutable and will be fulfilled, even if the timeline extends beyond human expectation. The promise of the land, though not immediately actualized for Abraham, was absolutely guaranteed for his future "seed." Secondly, it highlights **Faith in the Unseen**, showcasing Abraham as the quintessential example of one who believed God's promise despite contrary circumstances—possessing no land and having no child (as seen in [Genesis 15:5-6](/genesis/15-5-6 "God's Promise of Descendants to Abraham and His Belief")). This aligns with the biblical understanding of faith as "the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen," as later articulated in [Hebrews 11:1](/hebrews/11-1 "Hebrews 11:1 - The Definition of Faith"). Lastly, the verse underscores **God's Sovereign Timing**, demonstrating that divine plans unfold according to God's perfect schedule, not human impatience. The fulfillment of the land promise would come through Abraham's descendants over generations, reinforcing the idea that God's purposes are grander and more expansive than any single lifetime.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **gave (Greek, _dídōmi'_):** This verb, meaning "to give" or "to bestow," is used here in the negative ("he gave him none inheritance"). It highlights God's active role in bestowing or withholding. In this context, it emphasizes the divine prerogative: God *could* have given the land immediately, but chose not to, demonstrating His sovereign control over the timing and manner of His promises' fulfillment.
* **inheritance (Greek, _klēronomía'_):** Derived from the concept of "heirship," this term refers to a patrimony or possession passed down. In the Old Testament, the land of Canaan was the primary inheritance promised to Israel. Stephen's use of "none inheritance" for Abraham directly contrasts with the expectation of immediate possession, setting up the paradox that the patriarch, to whom the promise was given, received no physical share, yet his descendants would.
* **promised (Greek, _epangéllō'_):** This verb means "to announce upon (reflexively)," implying "to engage to do something" or "to assert something respecting oneself." It signifies a solemn, binding declaration or commitment. The use of this word stresses the absolute certainty and divine authority behind God's word to Abraham, even in the face of the immediate lack of fulfillment. It underscores that God's promise is not merely a suggestion but a guaranteed future reality.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he gave him none inheritance in it, no, not so much as to set his foot on":** This opening clause starkly presents the immediate reality of Abraham's situation. Despite God's promise, Abraham received no physical portion of the land. The phrase "not so much as to set his foot on" is an idiom emphasizing the absolute lack of even the smallest parcel of land under his personal ownership. This highlights the profound nature of Abraham's faith, which was not based on tangible possession but on the trustworthiness of God's word.
* **"yet he promised that he would give it to him for a possession, and to his seed after him":** This clause introduces the divine counterpoint to the immediate reality. The conjunction "yet" (Greek: `kai`, also "and," but here used adversatively) signals a powerful contrast. God's promise (epangéllō) is the unshakeable foundation. The land was guaranteed "for a possession" (katáschesis, meaning "a holding down" or "occupancy"), not just to Abraham, but crucially "to his seed after him." This phrase shifts the focus from Abraham's individual lifetime to the generational fulfillment of the covenant, emphasizing God's long-term plan.
* **"when as yet he had no child":** This final clause intensifies the miraculous nature of the promise and Abraham's faith. Not only did he lack physical possession of the land, but he also lacked the very "seed" (offspring) through whom the promise would eventually be realized. This highlights the human impossibility of the situation from Abraham's perspective, making God's promise and Abraham's belief in it all the more remarkable. It underscores that God works through seemingly impossible circumstances to bring about His purposes.

#### Literary Devices
Acts 7:5 effectively employs several literary devices to convey its profound theological message. Central to the verse is **Paradox**, where the immediate reality of Abraham's landlessness stands in stark contrast to God's unwavering promise of that very land as a possession. This creates a tension that highlights the nature of faith—believing in what is not yet seen. Closely related is **Juxtaposition**, placing the "none inheritance" directly against "he promised that he would give it," which emphasizes the certainty of God's word over present circumstances. The mention of "no child" while simultaneously promising "seed after him" introduces a layer of **Irony**, as the means of future fulfillment (descendants) was absent at the time of the promise. Furthermore, the entire scenario serves as **Foreshadowing**, setting a precedent for God's pattern of delayed but certain fulfillment, which will ultimately culminate in the spiritual inheritance offered through Christ, often requiring faith and patience from believers.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 7:5 serves as a powerful theological anchor, illustrating the enduring nature of God's covenant promises and the call to faith in the face of deferred gratification. It teaches that God's faithfulness is not contingent on immediate visible fulfillment, but on His unchanging character. The paradox of Abraham's landlessness, despite the promise, underscores that God's ultimate blessings may transcend material possession, pointing toward a spiritual inheritance. This verse reminds us that God's plans operate on an eternal timeline, often requiring generations for their full realization, thereby cultivating patience and trust in His sovereign design. It challenges a human tendency towards immediate gratification, instead inviting believers into a journey of faith that looks beyond present circumstances to the certainty of God's future work.

* [Genesis 12:7](/genesis/12-7 "God's Promise of Land to Abraham")
* [Genesis 15:2-6](/genesis/15-2-6 "Abraham's Trust in God's Promise of Descendants")
* [Hebrews 11:8-10](/hebrews/11-8-10 "Abraham's Faith as a Sojourner Looking for a City")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 7:5 offers profound encouragement and a vital challenge for contemporary believers. In a world that often demands instant results and tangible evidence, this verse calls us to cultivate a deep, abiding faith in God's promises, even when their fulfillment seems distant or impossible. It reminds us that our "inheritance" in Christ may not always manifest in immediate earthly blessings, but is ultimately secured in eternal realities. We are invited to identify with Abraham's journey of faith, living as sojourners who trust God's perfect timing and His unwavering commitment to His word. This requires patience, perseverance, and a willingness to surrender our timelines to His. Ultimately, it shifts our focus from what we can immediately possess to what God has eternally promised, fostering a spiritual perspective that values the unseen over the seen, and the eternal over the temporal.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life are you currently waiting on God's promises, and how does Abraham's example encourage you?**
* **How does the concept of delayed fulfillment challenge your expectations of God's timing and provision?**
* **What does it mean to live as a "sojourner" in this world, holding lightly to earthly possessions while anticipating a greater, spiritual inheritance?**

### FAQ

**Why did God not give Abraham the land immediately?**

Answer: God's decision not to give Abraham immediate possession of the land, despite promising it, served multiple purposes. Firstly, it underscored the nature of the promise as a covenant to be fulfilled over generations, not just in Abraham's lifetime. It cultivated Abraham's faith, requiring him to trust God's word without tangible evidence, thereby establishing him as the "father of faith" ([Romans 4:16](/romans/4-16 "Romans 4:16 - Abraham, Father of All Who Believe")). Secondly, it allowed for the full spiritual and numerical development of Abraham's "seed" before they would inhabit the land, aligning with God's perfect timing and plan for the nation of Israel. It also demonstrated God's sovereignty, showing that His promises are not bound by human timelines or immediate gratification, but unfold according to His divine wisdom.

**What is the significance of "seed" in this context?**

Answer: The term "seed" (Greek: _spérma_) in Acts 7:5 is profoundly significant, carrying both a literal and a prophetic meaning. Literally, it refers to Abraham's numerous physical descendants, who would eventually inherit the land of Canaan as the nation of Israel. However, biblically, "seed" also carries a singular, messianic implication. As Paul explains in [Galatians 3:16](/galatians/3-16 "Galatians 3:16 - The Promise to Abraham's Seed Is Christ"), the promise made to Abraham and "to his seed" ultimately points to one specific descendant: Christ. Therefore, the promise of the land, and indeed all the covenant blessings, find their ultimate and spiritual fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Through Him, believers—both Jew and Gentile—become Abraham's spiritual "seed" and heirs of the true, eternal inheritance, which transcends the physical land.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 7:5, though rooted in the Old Testament covenant with Abraham, finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus. The paradox of Abraham's landlessness, despite God's promise, powerfully foreshadows the spiritual nature of the ultimate inheritance. While Abraham received no physical possession, the promise to his "seed" (Greek: _spérma_) ultimately points to Christ, as Paul meticulously argues in [Galatians 3:16](/galatians/3-16 "Galatians 3:16 - The Promise to Abraham's Seed Is Christ"). Jesus is the true heir of all God's promises, and through Him, all who believe become Abraham's spiritual offspring and co-heirs with Christ ([Romans 8:17](/romans/8-17 "Romans 8:17 - Heirs with Christ")). The earthly land of Canaan, promised to Abraham's physical descendants, becomes a type of the heavenly country and eternal city that Abraham himself longed for ([Hebrews 11:10](/hebrews/11-10 "Hebrews 11:10 - Abraham's Hope for a Heavenly City")). Thus, the "possession" promised in Acts 7:5 is ultimately realized not in a geographical territory, but in the spiritual blessings and eternal kingdom inaugurated by Christ. Believers in Christ inherit not a plot of land, but "every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places" ([Ephesians 1:3](/ephesians/1-3 "Ephesians 1:3 - Spiritual Blessings in Christ")) and an "inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you" ([1 Peter 1:4](/1_peter/1-4 "1 Peter 1:4 - An Imperishable Inheritance")). This elevates the promise from a temporal, earthly reality to an eternal, spiritual one, fully secured and distributed through the ultimate "seed"—Jesus Christ.

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

Genesis 17:8

And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.

Genesis 12:7

And the LORD appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land: and there builded he an altar unto the LORD, who appeared unto him.

Genesis 15:18

In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates:

Genesis 13:15

For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever.

Genesis 26:3

Sojourn in this land, and I will be with thee, and will bless thee; for unto thee, and unto thy seed, I will give all these countries, and I will perform the oath which I sware unto Abraham thy father;

Nehemiah 9:8

And foundest his heart faithful before thee, and madest a covenant with him to give the land of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Jebusites, and the Girgashites, to give [it, I say], to his seed, and hast performed thy words; for thou [art] righteous:

Psalms 105:8

¶ He hath remembered his covenant for ever, the word [which] he commanded to a thousand generations.