Acts 7:12 kjv
But when Jacob heard that there was corn in Egypt, he sent out our fathers first.
Acts 7:12 nkjv
But when Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent out our fathers first.
Acts 7:12 niv
When Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent our forefathers on their first visit.
Acts 7:12 esv
But when Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent out our fathers on their first visit.
Acts 7:12 nlt
Jacob heard that there was still grain in Egypt, so he sent his sons ? our ancestors ? to buy some.
Acts 7 12 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 42:2 | "And he said, Behold, I have heard that there is corn in Egypt: get you down... | Gen 42:2 (Jacob's directive) |
| Gen 42:3 | "And Joseph's ten brethren went down to buy corn from Egypt." | Gen 42:3 (Initial journey) |
| Gen 45:17 | "And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Say unto thy brethren, This do ye; lade thy... | Gen 45:17 (Pharaoh's consent) |
| Gen 46:5-7 | "And Jacob rose up from Beersheba: and the sons of Israel carried their... | Gen 46:5-7 (Migration) |
| Gen 46:26 | "All the souls that came with Jacob, which came out of his loins, besides... | Gen 46:26 (Family total) |
| Ex 1:1 | "Now these are the names of the children of Israel, which came into Egypt... | Ex 1:1 (List of descendants) |
| Ex 12:40 | "Now the sojourning of the children of Israel, who dwelt in Egypt, was... | Ex 12:40 (Length of stay) |
| Ps 105:16 | "He called for a famine upon the land: he brake the whole staff of bread." | Ps 105:16 (Famine context) |
| Ps 105:17 | "He sent a man before them, even Joseph, who was sold for a servant:" | Ps 105:17 (Joseph's role) |
| Is 39:6 | "Behold, the days come, that all that is in thine house, and that which... | Is 39:6 (Future exile context) |
| Ezek 39:23 | "And the heathen shall know that the house of Israel went into captivity... | Ezek 39:23 (Captivity theme) |
| John 4:35 | "Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold,... | John 4:35 (Harvest metaphor) |
| Heb 11:20 | "By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both of Joseph's sons; and... | Heb 11:20 (Faithful actions) |
| Heb 11:21 | "By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children... | Heb 11:21 (Joseph's foresight) |
| Acts 7:10 | "And delivered him out of all his afflictions, and gave him favour and... | Acts 7:10 (Joseph's rise) |
| Acts 7:11 | "Now the famine and great tribulation came over all the land of Egypt and... | Acts 7:11 (The famine's impact) |
| Acts 7:13 | "And the second time Joseph's kindred were known of Joseph; and Joseph's... | Acts 7:13 (Brothers identified) |
| Acts 13:20 | "And after that he gave unto them judges about the space of four hundred... | Acts 13:20 (Historical periods) |
| Gen 47:29 | "And Israel said unto Joseph, If now I have found grace in thy sight, put... | Gen 47:29 (Jacob's request) |
| Acts 7:15 | "So Jacob went down into Egypt, and died, he, and our fathers," | Acts 7:15 (Descent and death) |
Acts 7 verses
Acts 7 12 Meaning
When Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent out our fathers. This verse marks a pivotal moment where Jacob, the patriarch, responds to the news of food availability, initiating the migration of his family to Egypt. It highlights faith and obedience in the face of scarcity and foreshadows Israel's eventual enslavement and Exodus.
Acts 7 12 Context
Stephen, before the Sanhedrin, recounts the history of Israel, focusing on God's faithfulness and Israel's frequent unfaithfulness. He begins with Abraham and moves through Joseph and the descent into Egypt. This verse occurs after Stephen describes the famine in Canaan and Joseph's providential rise in Egypt (Acts 7:11-12). The broader context is Stephen's defense against accusations of blasphemy towards Moses and the Temple, positioning the current generation's rejection of Jesus as a continuation of Israel's pattern of resisting the Holy Spirit and rejecting God's chosen deliverers, echoing their ancestors' behavior towards Joseph and Moses.
Acts 7 12 Word Analysis
- "When": Establishes a temporal link, indicating that Jacob's action was a direct consequence of the preceding condition.
- "Jacob": The patriarch of Israel, referred to here by his covenant name, emphasizing his lineage and his people's identity.
- "Heard": Implies receiving information, in this case, about the availability of grain in Egypt, signifying God's orchestration through the report.
- "That": Connects the hearing to the specific news.
- "There was grain": Indicates provisions and sustenance were available, contrasting with the scarcity in Canaan.
- "In": Specifies the location where grain was found.
- "Egypt": A foreign land, significant because it would become the place of both Israel's blessing and later their bondage.
- "He sent forth": A decisive action; "sent forth" (Greek: exepempse) implies dispatching or launching someone or something out. It suggests a purposeful commissioning.
- "Our": Refers to the shared ancestry of the listeners (Jews) and Stephen, uniting them in this historical narrative.
- "Fathers": Encompasses Jacob's sons and their families, representing the progenitor generation of Israel.
Acts 7 12 Bonus Section
The act of Jacob sending his sons down into Egypt is an example of faith in action, trusting in God's provision through his son Joseph, even if Jacob himself did not fully comprehend the divine plan behind Joseph's suffering and exaltation. It underscores the principle that God often works through circumstances and individuals, even in difficult situations, to accomplish His purposes for His people. This journey into Egypt, though a temporary relief from famine, would eventually lead to four centuries of oppression, yet it was essential for the formation and growth of the nation of Israel. The narrative connects the promise made to Abraham concerning his descendants dwelling as strangers in a foreign land and serving it, and afterward coming out with great possessions (Genesis 15:13).
Acts 7 12 Commentary
This verse highlights the divine providence at play in the life of Israel. Despite the severe famine, God ensured sustenance through Joseph in Egypt. Jacob's action to send his sons to Egypt demonstrates faith and obedience, recognizing that the resourcefulness of his son Joseph was a sign of God's continued care. This event, while saving Jacob's family from starvation, also marks the beginning of their sojourn in Egypt, setting the stage for future trials and ultimately God's mighty deliverance through Moses. Stephen uses this to illustrate a consistent pattern: God provides, and His people are called to respond with faith, a pattern tragically repeated by his audience in rejecting Jesus.