Acts 7:9

KJV

And the patriarchs, moved with envy, sold Joseph into Egypt: but God was with him,

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} the patriarchs {G3966}, moved with envy {G2206}, sold {G591} Joseph {G2501} into {G1519} Egypt {G125}: but {G2532} God {G2316} was {G2258} with {G3326} him {G846},

Complete Jewish Bible

“Now the Patriarchs grew jealous of Yosef and sold him into slavery in Egypt. But Adonai was with him;

Berean Standard Bible

Because the patriarchs were jealous of Joseph, they sold him as a slave into Egypt. But God was with him

American Standard Version

And the patriarchs, moved with jealousy against Joseph, sold him into Egypt: and God was with him,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 7:9 encapsulates a pivotal moment in Stephen's historical recounting, illustrating the destructive power of human envy and the unwavering steadfastness of divine providence. It describes how Joseph's own brothers, driven by jealousy, sold him into slavery in Egypt, yet immediately counters this act of profound betrayal with the profound truth that God remained intimately present with Joseph, orchestrating His sovereign plan despite human sin and malice.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Acts 7:9 is nestled within Stephen's extensive defense speech before the Sanhedrin, a masterful, albeit confrontational, re-narration of Israel's history from Abraham to the building of the Temple. Stephen, accused of blasphemy against Moses and God, does not directly refute the charges but instead presents a sweeping theological argument: God's presence is not confined to the Temple or specific rituals, and Israel has a consistent history of rejecting God's chosen messengers, from Joseph to Moses, and ultimately, to Jesus Himself. The story of Joseph, beginning in Acts 7:9, serves as a crucial early example of Israel's internal betrayal and God's ability to work through such wickedness, foreshadowing the nation's later rejection of Christ.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Stephen's address takes place in Jerusalem during the nascent stages of the early church, facing intense opposition from the Jewish religious authorities. The Sanhedrin, composed of chief priests, elders, and scribes, represented the highest Jewish court. In this cultural setting, familial loyalty was paramount, making the patriarchs' act of selling their brother into slavery particularly heinous. Egypt, a powerful ancient civilization, was a common destination for slaves and a land that would later become a place of both refuge and oppression for the Israelites. The narrative of Joseph's enslavement and subsequent rise to power would have been well-known to Stephen's Jewish audience, providing a powerful historical precedent for God's redemptive work amidst suffering.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Acts and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights the pervasive nature of **human sin and envy**, demonstrating how even the foundational figures of Israel could succumb to destructive passions, leading to profound injustice. The brothers' actions underscore the fallen human condition, a theme echoed throughout Scripture, from [Cain's murder of Abel](/genesis/4-8 "Genesis 4:8 - Cain Kills Abel") to the betrayal of Jesus. Secondly, and perhaps most significantly, it emphasizes **divine providence and sovereignty**. The immediate shift from human malice to "but God was with him" powerfully asserts God's overarching control. This divine presence ensured that even the brothers' wicked deed was ultimately woven into God's larger redemptive plan, a truth later articulated by Joseph in [Genesis 50:20](/genesis/50-20 "Genesis 50:20 - Joseph's Perspective on God's Plan"). Lastly, the verse introduces the theme of **God's presence in adversity**, a recurring motif in the Joseph narrative (e.g., [Genesis 39:2](/genesis/39-2 "Genesis 39:2 - The LORD Was with Joseph")) and a source of comfort for believers facing trials.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **patriarchs (Greek, _patriárchēs'_):** This term refers to the heads or founders of a family or tribe. In this context, it specifically denotes the twelve sons of Jacob (Israel), who were the progenitors of the twelve tribes of Israel. Stephen uses this term to emphasize the foundational nature of these figures in Israel's history, making their act of betrayal all the more significant.
* **moved with envy (Greek, _zēlóō'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to have warmth of feeling," _zēlóō_ can denote positive zeal or negative jealousy/envy. Here, the context clearly indicates a destructive, malicious form of envy. It highlights the intense emotional state that drove the brothers to commit such a grave sin against their own kin, stemming from Jacob's favoritism and Joseph's prophetic dreams.
* **God (Greek, _theós'_):** This term, referring to the supreme Divinity, stands in stark contrast to the human actions described. Its inclusion immediately after the brothers' betrayal underscores the active, sovereign presence of the divine. It implies not merely a passive observation, but an active, guiding hand, even amidst human wickedness.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the patriarchs, moved with envy,"**: This clause identifies the perpetrators—Joseph's own brothers, the foundational figures of Israel—and their destructive motivation. Their "envy" (Gk. _zēlos_) was a potent, negative emotion fueled by Jacob's favoritism toward Joseph and Joseph's dreams of future prominence, leading to a deep-seated resentment.
* **"sold Joseph into Egypt:"**: This describes the heinous act itself. The patriarchs, driven by their envy, committed an unthinkable betrayal by selling their younger brother, Joseph, into slavery. This act was not merely a rejection but a deliberate attempt to remove him from their lives and thwart any perceived future ascendancy. Egypt, a foreign land, symbolized a complete severance from his family and heritage.
* **"but God was with him,"**: This crucial conjunction ("but") introduces a powerful theological counterpoint. Despite the profound injustice and human malice, God's presence with Joseph remained unwavering. This divine accompaniment was not merely a passive presence but an active, sustaining, and guiding force, ensuring that even this act of betrayal would ultimately serve His greater redemptive purposes.

#### Literary Devices
Acts 7:9 is rich in **Contrast**, juxtaposing the dark reality of human sin with the radiant truth of divine faithfulness. The "envy" and "selling" by the patriarchs stand in stark opposition to the immediate declaration that "God was with him." This highlights the theological tension between human agency and divine sovereignty. The verse also employs **Foreshadowing**, as Joseph's suffering at the hands of his own people, followed by his exaltation and role in saving his family, clearly prefigures the experience of Jesus Christ. Furthermore, there is profound **Irony** in the brothers' actions; their attempt to eliminate Joseph and thwart his dreams inadvertently became the very means by which God would elevate him and preserve their family from famine, demonstrating God's ability to turn human evil into divine good.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 7:9 encapsulates a profound theological truth central to the biblical narrative: God's sovereign ability to work His purposes through the crucible of human sin and suffering. The patriarchs' envy and betrayal of Joseph, while deeply wicked, did not derail God's plan but rather became an integral part of it. This verse teaches that even when people act with malicious intent, God remains actively present, orchestrating events to fulfill His ultimate good, demonstrating His unwavering faithfulness and redemptive power. It underscores that divine providence is not merely about preventing evil, but about transforming it into a means for greater good, ultimately for His glory and the salvation of His people.

* [Genesis 50:20](/genesis/50-20 "Genesis 50:20 - Joseph's Perspective on God's Plan")
* [Romans 8:28](/romans/8-28 "Romans 8:28 - God Works for Good")
* [Psalm 105:17](/psalm/105-17 "Psalm 105:17 - God Sent a Man Before Them")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 7:9 offers profound lessons for contemporary believers, reminding us that even in the face of deep betrayal, injustice, or suffering inflicted by others, God's presence and sovereign hand remain active. Like Joseph, we are called to trust that God can redeem even the most painful circumstances, weaving them into a tapestry of His greater purpose. This verse encourages us to cultivate a steadfast faith, knowing that our trials are not outside of God's watchful eye or His redemptive plan. It also serves as a potent warning against the destructive nature of envy and jealousy, urging us to guard our hearts against such corrosive emotions that can lead to profound harm to ourselves and others, and to instead cultivate love, forgiveness, and grace.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the contrast between human sin and divine faithfulness in Acts 7:9 challenge or comfort you in your current circumstances?**
* **In what ways have you experienced God's presence with you during times of adversity or betrayal, similar to Joseph's experience?**
* **What practical steps can you take to guard your heart against envy or jealousy, recognizing their destructive potential as seen in the patriarchs' actions?**

### FAQ

**Why did the patriarchs sell Joseph into Egypt?**

Answer: The patriarchs, Joseph's ten older brothers, sold him into Egypt primarily because they were "moved with envy" (Acts 7:9). Their jealousy stemmed from several factors: their father Jacob's favoritism toward Joseph (evidenced by the coat of many colors), and Joseph's prophetic dreams, which depicted his brothers bowing down to him ([Genesis 37:5-11](/genesis/37-5-11 "Genesis 37:5-11 - Joseph's Dreams")). This envy escalated into hatred, leading them to conspire against him and ultimately sell him to Ishmaelite traders heading to Egypt ([Genesis 37:18-28](/genesis/37-18-28 "Genesis 37:18-28 - Joseph Sold to Ishmaelites")).

**How was God "with him" despite Joseph's suffering?**

Answer: The phrase "but God was with him" signifies God's active and sustaining presence, not merely a passive observation. Despite being sold into slavery, falsely accused, and imprisoned, the biblical narrative repeatedly emphasizes that "the LORD was with Joseph" ([Genesis 39:2](/genesis/39-2 "Genesis 39:2 - The LORD Was with Joseph"), [Genesis 39:21](/genesis/39-21 "Genesis 39:21 - The LORD Was with Joseph in Prison")). This divine presence manifested in Joseph's prosperity even in servitude, his favor with his masters and prison keepers, and his God-given ability to interpret dreams, which ultimately led to his exaltation as second-in-command in Egypt. God's presence ensured that Joseph's suffering was not meaningless but part of a larger divine plan to preserve his family and nation.

**What is the significance of Stephen highlighting this event in his defense?**

Answer: Stephen highlights the story of Joseph's betrayal and God's faithfulness to illustrate a recurring pattern in Israel's history: the rejection of God's chosen messengers by His own people, followed by God's sovereign work through those very rejections. Joseph, though rejected and sold by his brothers, was ultimately elevated by God to save them from famine. Stephen uses this as a powerful parallel to the Sanhedrin's rejection and crucifixion of Jesus, God's ultimate messenger. His point is that just as God was with Joseph despite his brothers' sin, God was with Jesus, and His plan of salvation would proceed despite Israel's unbelief, ultimately culminating in the new covenant not bound by the Temple or Mosaic law.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 7:9, though recounting an Old Testament event, powerfully foreshadows the person and work of Jesus Christ. Joseph, betrayed by his own brothers, sold for a price, and sent away to suffer, yet ultimately exalted to a position of power through which he saved his family from death, serves as a profound **type** of Christ. Just as the patriarchs, driven by envy, rejected Joseph, so too did [Jesus come to His own, and His own received Him not](/john/1-11 "John 1:11 - He Came to His Own"), ultimately delivering Him over to be crucified out of envy ([Matthew 27:18](/matthew/27-18 "Matthew 27:18 - Pilate Knew They Had Handed Him Over Out of Envy")). Joseph's suffering and humiliation were not the end of his story, but the necessary path to his exaltation and the salvation of many. Similarly, Christ, though [despised and rejected by men](/isaiah/53-3 "Isaiah 53:3 - Despised and Rejected"), willingly [humbled Himself and became obedient to death, even death on a cross](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Humiliation"). Yet, "God was with him" in His suffering, and God subsequently [highly exalted Him and gave Him the name that is above every name](/philippians/2-9-11 "Philippians 2:9-11 - Christ's Exaltation"). Through Christ's betrayal, suffering, death, and resurrection, God accomplished the ultimate salvation, not just for a family from famine, but for all humanity from sin and death ([Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God Demonstrates His Love")). Thus, Joseph's story in Acts 7:9 stands as a testament to God's unwavering presence and His redemptive plan, which finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in 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 39:2

And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian.

Psalms 105:17

He sent a man before them, [even] Joseph, [who] was sold for a servant:

Isaiah 43:2

When thou passest through the waters, I [will be] with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.

Genesis 45:4

And Joseph said unto his brethren, Come near to me, I pray you. And they came near. And he said, I [am] Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt.

Isaiah 41:10

¶ Fear thou not; for I [am] with thee: be not dismayed; for I [am] thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

Genesis 39:21

But the LORD was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison.

Genesis 39:23

The keeper of the prison looked not to any thing [that was] under his hand; because the LORD was with him, and [that] which he did, the LORD made [it] to prosper.