Acts 13 19

Acts 13:19 kjv

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

Acts 13:19 nkjv

And when He had destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan, He distributed their land to them by allotment.

Acts 13:19 niv

and he overthrew seven nations in Canaan, giving their land to his people as their inheritance.

Acts 13:19 esv

And after destroying seven nations in the land of Canaan, he gave them their land as an inheritance.

Acts 13:19 nlt

Then he destroyed seven nations in Canaan and gave their land to Israel as an inheritance.

Acts 13 verses

Acts 13 19 Meaning

Acts 13:19 describes two pivotal actions of God in Israel's history: His destruction of seven significant nations in the land of Canaan and His subsequent division of that land as an inheritance to the Israelite people by lot. This sequence of events, spanning approximately 450 years according to the Apostle Paul's sermon, showcases God's fulfillment of ancient promises, His sovereignty over nations and territories, and His active role in establishing His chosen people in their promised inheritance. It underscores God's providential care and the unfolding of His redemptive plan across generations.

Acts 13 19 Context

Acts 13:19 forms part of the Apostle Paul's historical survey during his sermon in the synagogue at Pisidian Antioch. Having just established God's faithful hand in bringing Israel out of Egypt and sustaining them through the wilderness for forty years, Paul now transitions to the subsequent phase of their national formation: the conquest and settlement of Canaan. This historical review serves as a foundation, demonstrating God's consistent intervention and fulfillment of promises to His people throughout their history. The detailed mention of specific timeframes and events prepares the audience for the main point of his sermon: that Jesus, as a descendant of David and the Messiah, is the culmination of God's redemptive plan, fulfilling prophecies and offering salvation. The verse thus bridges the gap between the Exodus generation and the era of the Judges, setting the stage for the establishment of Israel's monarchy, leading eventually to Christ.

Acts 13 19 Word analysis

• And (καὶ - kai): A simple conjunction linking this event to the preceding divine actions in Israel's history (Exodus, wilderness wandering), emphasizing a continuous unfolding of God's plan.
• when he had destroyed (καθελὼν - kathelōn): From the verb kathaireo, meaning "to take down," "to pull down," "to cast down," or "to destroy." The use of this strong verb signifies a definitive, decisive act of God, illustrating His immense power and authority over the nations. It is not mere defeat but total removal.
• seven nations (ἔθνη ἑπτὰ - ethnē hepta): This refers to a specific, often-listed group of pre-Israelite peoples inhabiting Canaan (e.g., Hittites, Girgashites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, Jebusites). The number "seven" can convey a sense of completeness or totality, implying God's comprehensive work in clearing the land for Israel as promised. These nations represented a collective challenge that God fully overcame.
• in the land of Canaan (ἐν γῇ Χαναὰν - en gē Chanaan): Identifies the precise geographical area where these divine actions took place. This land was the specific inheritance promised by God to Abraham and his descendants.
• he divided their land (κατεκληροδότησεν αὐτοῖς τὴν γῆν αὐτῶν - kateklerodotēsen autois tēn gēn autōn): The verb kataklerodoteo is a compound form, derived from klēros (lot, inheritance) and didōmi (to give). It means "to give by lot as an inheritance" or "to distribute by lot." This phrase is crucial as it emphasizes:
  • Divine Initiative: God Himself is the one who divided.
  • Divine Sovereignty: The distribution was by lot, signifying God's ultimate ownership and perfect ordering, removing human bias in the allocation of territory. It underscored that the land was a gift, an inheritance.
  • Fulfillment of Promise: It connects directly to the covenant promise of land made to Abraham (Gen 12:7; 15:18).
• to them (αὐτοῖς - autois): Clearly specifies the recipients of this divine gift: the Israelites, God's chosen covenant people.
• by lot: Implied in the verb kateklerodotēsen, signifying the method of division, which underscored the divine, impartial nature of the land distribution among the tribes.
• for about four hundred and fifty years (ὡς ἔτεσιν τετρακοσίοις καὶ πεντήκοντα - hōs etesin tetrakosiois kai pentēkonta):
  • about (ὡς - hōs): This Greek particle indicates approximation, signaling that Paul is providing a general figure rather than an exact, precise number. This allows for slight variations in biblical chronology without contradiction.
  • four hundred and fifty years: This specific chronological period is one of the most debated aspects of the verse. It most likely refers to the duration from the time of the land distribution to the beginning of the era of the Judges and potentially extending into the time of the prophet Samuel or the reign of King Saul, leading up to the point where God gives Israel judges and later, a king. Paul emphasizes the long span of God's interaction with Israel, highlighting divine patience and steadfastness across many generations.

Word Group Analysis:

• "destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan": This phrase highlights God's justice and power. He directly intervened to remove the morally corrupt inhabitants of the land, demonstrating His righteousness and making way for His chosen people to inherit. It is the fulfillment of a long-standing divine promise and judgment.
• "he divided their land to them by lot": This emphasizes God's precision and sovereignty in bestowing the covenant inheritance. The method of "lot" meant that God was the ultimate disposer of portions, not human strategy, reinforcing the concept that the land was a divine gift and patrimony for Israel. It points to the establishment of the Israelite nation in their secured homeland.
• "for about four hundred and fifty years": This concluding phrase underscores the long duration of God's involvement with His people post-conquest, through their challenging formative years under the Judges. It speaks to God's enduring faithfulness, sustaining them and working through a succession of leaders during this significant historical period before the monarchy was fully established.

Acts 13 19 Bonus section

The specific figure of "four hundred and fifty years" in Acts 13:19 has been a subject of scholarly discussion regarding biblical chronology. It differs from other calculations, such as 1 Kings 6:1, which states 480 years from the Exodus to the fourth year of Solomon's reign. This apparent discrepancy can be understood in several ways:

• Approximate vs. Precise: Paul uses "about" (hos), indicating an approximate period rather than a precise chronological sum, typical of ancient historical discourse.
• Starting Point: Paul's 450 years likely measures the period from the commencement of the conquest and land distribution (after the wilderness wandering) through the era of the Judges and early Saulite kingdom, not from the Exodus itself. This chronological framing emphasizes God's rule within the land of promise.
• Paul's Thematic Focus: In a sermon, Paul prioritizes theological narrative over precise historical detailing for later chronologers. His aim is to showcase God's sustained, active faithfulness across generations of Israel's history, demonstrating a pattern leading to the Messiah. This approach mirrors Stephen's historical recounting in Acts 7. Both apostles use Israel's history to build a case for the gospel, focusing on the continuity of God's redemptive work.
• Significance of "Seven Nations": The specific enumeration of "seven nations" reinforces the Old Testament understanding of a complete conquest necessary for Israel's inheritance. It symbolizes God's thoroughness in fulfilling His promises, driving out every obstacle. The consistent divine action from destroying nations to giving land points to an active and purposeful God throughout Israel's historical journey.

Acts 13 19 Commentary

Acts 13:19 serves as a concise summary of two monumental events in Israel's foundational history, central to Paul's argument in Pisidian Antioch. Firstly, God's "destruction" of the "seven nations" demonstrates His covenant faithfulness to Abraham's descendants and His justice upon the wicked inhabitants of Canaan. This act of divine dispossession was not arbitrary but rooted in the long-standing iniquity of these nations (Gen 15:16). Secondly, God "divided their land" to Israel "by lot," signifying that the land was a sovereignly granted inheritance, not something taken by Israel's might. The use of "lot" confirmed divine ordering and ownership, underscoring that every portion was a divine bestowal. The approximate "four hundred and fifty years" indicates the substantial period of divine stewardship, encompassing the era of the Judges. This period, marked by Israel's spiritual struggles and God's repeated raising of deliverers, further illustrates His persistent faithfulness. Through this historical recounting, Paul sets the stage to declare that God, who had consistently worked in Israel's history by raising up deliverers, had now ultimately raised up Jesus as the promised Messiah and ultimate Deliverer, the heir of David, providing salvation for all.