Acts 7:5

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.

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}.

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.

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.

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.

Acts 7:5 is a foundational verse within Stephen's powerful defense speech before the Sanhedrin, where he recounts the history of Israel to demonstrate God's faithfulness and their forefathers' persistent rebellion. This particular verse highlights the paradox of God's promise to Abraham concerning the land of Canaan.

Context

Stephen, accused of blasphemy, uses this historical overview to show that God's presence and work are not confined to the Temple or the land of Israel, but have always been dynamic and spiritual. In Acts 7:5, Stephen reminds his audience that Abraham, the patriarch of their nation, received the promise of the land from God, yet possessed none of it physically during his lifetime. This emphasizes God's sovereign timing and Abraham's profound faith, setting a precedent for understanding divine promises that might not be immediately fulfilled. Stephen is building a case that God's promises extend beyond material possession and immediate gratification, ultimately pointing to a deeper, spiritual reality.

Key Themes

  • The Certainty of Divine Promise: This verse powerfully illustrates that God's promises are absolute and unwavering, even when their fulfillment is delayed or seems impossible from a human perspective. The land, though promised, was not given immediately to Abraham, demonstrating God's long-term plan and faithfulness across generations.
  • Faith in the Unseen: Abraham's remarkable faith is central here. He believed God's promise of a vast inheritance and numerous descendants (Genesis 15:5) even when he possessed nothing of the land and had no child of his own. This exemplifies biblical faith as the conviction of things not seen, the assurance of things hoped for, as described in Hebrews 11:1.
  • God's Sovereign Timing: The verse underscores that God's plans unfold according to His perfect timing, not ours. The promise of the land would be fulfilled through Abraham's "seed" (descendants) over many generations, culminating in the nation of Israel inhabiting Canaan. This waiting period tested and proved Abraham's unwavering trust in God's schedule.

Linguistic Insights

The stark contrast in the KJV text between "none inheritance in it, no, not [so much as] to set his foot on" and "yet he promised that he would give it to him for a possession" highlights the immediate lack of physical possession against the absolute certainty of God's future fulfillment. The term "seed" (Greek: sperma) is crucial; while referring broadly to Abraham's numerous physical descendants, it also carries a singular, prophetic meaning, ultimately pointing to Christ as the ultimate fulfillment of the promise to Abraham (Galatians 3:16).

Cross-References

  • The initial promise of the land to Abraham is recorded in Genesis 12:7.
  • Abraham's childlessness and God's reaffirmation of the promise, along with Abraham's belief, are detailed in Genesis 15:2-6.
  • The Epistle to the Hebrews further expounds on Abraham's faith, noting that he lived as a stranger in the promised land, looking forward to a heavenly city (Hebrews 11:9-10).

Practical Application

Acts 7:5 offers profound encouragement for believers today. It teaches us to trust in God's promises even when immediate evidence is lacking or circumstances seem contrary to what we expect. It reminds us that God's timing is perfect; we are often called to exercise patience and persistent faith, understanding that God's plans are grander and extend beyond our immediate lifespan. Furthermore, it challenges us to consider our true inheritance not merely in physical possessions, but in the spiritual realities of God's kingdom and the eternal promises given through Christ, just as Abraham looked beyond the earthly Canaan to a heavenly dwelling.

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.

  • 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.
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