Acts 7 10

Acts 7:10 kjv

And delivered him out of all his afflictions, and gave him favour and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh king of Egypt; and he made him governor over Egypt and all his house.

Acts 7:10 nkjv

and delivered him out of all his troubles, and gave him favor and wisdom in the presence of Pharaoh, king of Egypt; and he made him governor over Egypt and all his house.

Acts 7:10 niv

and rescued him from all his troubles. He gave Joseph wisdom and enabled him to gain the goodwill of Pharaoh king of Egypt. So Pharaoh made him ruler over Egypt and all his palace.

Acts 7:10 esv

and rescued him out of all his afflictions and gave him favor and wisdom before Pharaoh, king of Egypt, who made him ruler over Egypt and over all his household.

Acts 7:10 nlt

and rescued him from all his troubles. And God gave him favor before Pharaoh, king of Egypt. God also gave Joseph unusual wisdom, so that Pharaoh appointed him governor over all of Egypt and put him in charge of the palace.

Acts 7 verses

Acts 7 10 Meaning

Acts chapter 7 verse 10 explains God's direct intervention in Joseph's life. It states that God delivered Joseph from every one of his severe trials and granted him divine favor and exceptional understanding in the presence of Pharaoh, the king of Egypt. As a result of this divine enablement, Pharaoh appointed Joseph as the chief administrator over the entire land of Egypt and over the royal household.

Acts 7 10 Context

Acts chapter 7 records the lengthy defense speech given by Stephen before the Sanhedrin, the Jewish high court, just before his martyrdom. In this pivotal discourse, Stephen recounts the history of Israel, emphasizing God's continuous dealings with His people. He highlights how God acted in sovereignty outside of the land and Temple, demonstrating that God's presence is not limited by human structures or geographical boundaries. Stephen systematically presents examples of Israel's persistent rejection of God's chosen deliverers, beginning with Joseph, moving to Moses, and ultimately culminating in the rejection of Jesus, the Messiah. Verse 10 specifically describes God's divine orchestration in Joseph's life, detailing how despite betrayal and severe adversity, God's providential hand elevated Joseph to a position of immense power in Egypt to preserve His people.

Acts 7 10 Word analysis

• and rescued him (ἐξείλατο - exeilato): The Greek verb carries the strong sense of 'to deliver from, to pluck out, to rescue by pulling out of danger or from a disadvantageous situation.' This highlights an act of deliberate and powerful divine intervention. It signifies that Joseph did not merely escape his troubles, but God actively intervened to extricate him. This divine action reveals God's faithfulness and protective care for His chosen servant.
• out of all his afflictions (ἐκ πάσης τῆς θλίψεως αὐτοῦ - ek pasēs tēs thlipseōs autou):
  • all (πάσης - pasēs): Emphasizes the totality and comprehensiveness of God's deliverance. Joseph faced multiple severe hardships, including being sold into slavery (Gen 37), false accusation, and unjust imprisonment (Gen 39). God's deliverance was not partial but complete.
  • afflictions (θλίψεως - thlipseōs): This term refers to troubles, distress, tribulation, or pressure. It denotes suffering and adversity that places one under great strain. This comprehensive rescue demonstrates God's power to work even through the most dire circumstances.
• and gave him favor (ἔδωκεν αὐτῷ χάριν - edōken autō charin):
  • gave (ἔδωκεν - edōken): Indicates a direct imparting from God, an active bestowing.
  • favor (χάριν - charin): Signifies grace, benevolent regard, or goodwill. This refers to an undeserved influence or positive standing Joseph found in the eyes of others, particularly Pharaoh, orchestrated by God. It goes beyond mere human likeability to a divine enablement for success in interpersonal relations and administration. It indicates God's unmerited favor making Joseph stand out.
• and wisdom (καὶ σοφίαν - kai sophian): This refers to divine wisdom, insight, and practical discernment, particularly evident in Joseph's ability to interpret dreams (Gen 41:16, 39) and offer sound administrative counsel (Gen 41:33-36). It was a God-given spiritual gift, enabling him to navigate complex situations and lead effectively in a foreign land. This divine wisdom was superior to all human wisdom of Egypt.
• before Pharaoh, king of Egypt (ἐναντίον Φαραὼ βασιλέως Αἰγύπτου - enantion Pharaō basileōs Aigyptou):
  • before Pharaoh (enantion Pharaō): Highlights the public and authoritative nature of this divine bestowal and its manifestation. God’s grace and wisdom were evident precisely in the court of the most powerful man of that age.
  • king of Egypt (basileōs Aigyptou): Establishes the supreme secular authority under whom Joseph would operate. It emphasizes the magnitude of Joseph's elevation, from prison to the right hand of the world's most powerful ruler.
• who made him ruler (κατέστησεν αὐτὸν ἄρχοντα - katestēsen auton archonta):
  • made him ruler (katestēsen auton archonta): Denotes a formal appointment or installation into a position of high authority. It was Pharaoh's decree, but the entire preceding narrative by Stephen establishes it as God's divine orchestration and direct work, making Joseph a de facto co-regent.
• over Egypt and over all his household (ἐπ’ Αἴγυπτον καὶ ἐφ’ ὅλον τὸν οἶκον αὐτοῦ - ep' Aigypton kai eph' holon ton oikon autou):
  • This specifies the vast scope of Joseph's divinely appointed authority. He was given charge not only over the political and economic administration of the entire land of Egypt but also over the management of Pharaoh's personal, royal affairs. This illustrates the total trust and power vested in him, signifying God's purpose to use him comprehensively for the preservation of Israel.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "and rescued him out of all his afflictions": This phrase directly attributes Joseph's deliverance to God's intervention. It sets the stage for a recurring theme in Stephen's speech: God's unfailing protection of His chosen instruments despite human treachery and suffering. It underscores God's ability to turn adversity into advantage.
• "and gave him favor and wisdom before Pharaoh, king of Egypt": This emphasizes the source and nature of Joseph's success. It wasn't merely Joseph's cleverness or charm, but divinely imparted favor and supernatural wisdom that distinguished him. This divine endowment enabled Joseph to thrive in a pagan court, serving God's ultimate purposes.
• "who made him ruler over Egypt and over all his household": This signifies the culmination of God's redemptive work in Joseph's life. The transition from prisoner to second-in-command of the most powerful nation demonstrates God's power to elevate the humble and fulfil His promises through unlikely means. This was the precise position needed for Joseph to save his family and thereby the covenant line of Abraham.

Acts 7 10 Bonus section

• This verse subtly lays the groundwork for Stephen's implicit polemic against those who limited God's presence and activity to the Temple or the land of Israel. God was intimately with Joseph in Egypt, in the slave pit, and in prison, orchestrating events.
• Joseph’s story here serves as a type or foreshadowing of Christ, whom His own people rejected but whom God highly exalted, placing all authority in His hands. Both Joseph and Jesus, rejected by their brethren, became the means of salvation for those very people, bringing deliverance from a life-threatening famine and eternal destruction, respectively.
• The emphasis on "all his afflictions" reinforces the completeness of God's deliverance, ensuring that no trial was outside God's comprehensive redemptive plan.
• God's grace (favor) can make an individual shine even in hostile environments and before secular authorities, proving that divine blessing transcends human circumstances.

Acts 7 10 Commentary

Acts 7:10 encapsulates the profound providence of God, transforming extreme adversity into extraordinary exaltation. Stephen emphasizes that Joseph's remarkable rise in Egypt was not merely a stroke of luck or human cunning but a direct, deliberate act of God. Even in the depths of suffering—betrayed by his own family, sold into slavery, and unjustly imprisoned—God was actively at work. This verse powerfully illustrates that God does not abandon His chosen servants in their trials but delivers them fully and equips them with supernatural grace and discernment precisely when needed. The favor and wisdom granted by God positioned Joseph uniquely to manage the affairs of Egypt, directly enabling him to preserve the life of his family and the covenant people of Israel. Stephen uses this example to highlight a pattern: God's deliverers, though often rejected by their own, are ultimately exalted by God for His purposes, setting the stage for his discussion of Moses and, implicitly, Jesus.