Acts 7 12

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 verses

Acts 7 12 meaning

Acts 7:12 describes Jacob's decisive action to send his sons to Egypt upon learning that there was food available there during a severe famine. This marked a critical moment in the early history of Israel, setting in motion God's plan to lead the burgeoning family into Egypt, where they would grow into a numerous people before their eventual exodus. The verse highlights Jacob's practical wisdom in a crisis and the unfolding of divine providence through human events.

Acts 7 12 Context

Acts chapter 7 records Stephen's powerful, extensive defense before the Sanhedrin, recounting the history of Israel from Abraham to Solomon. Accused of blasphemy against the Temple and the Law, Stephen uses Israel's own history to demonstrate their repeated resistance to God's will and His chosen messengers, and that God's presence is not confined to human-made structures like the Temple. This verse, Acts 7:12, is part of his narrative of God's providence concerning Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and specifically sets the stage for the family of Israel to enter Egypt. It transitions from Joseph's experience in Egypt (Acts 7:9-11) to Jacob's direct involvement in the migration, emphasizing God's guidance through the famine. The historical context is the widespread famine in Canaan and Egypt during the time of Joseph, approximately 1876 BC according to traditional chronologies.

Acts 7 12 Word analysis

• But (δὲ, de): This conjunction serves to transition and slightly contrast or connect to the preceding narrative (Acts 7:11, concerning Joseph). While the previous verse highlights the famine in Canaan and Egypt, this verse shifts focus specifically to Jacob's awareness and response to the situation in Egypt. It functions as a linking particle, guiding the listener through Stephen's historical recounting.
• when Jacob (Ἰακώβ, Iakōb): Refers to the patriarch, son of Isaac and grandson of Abraham, and the father of the twelve tribes of Israel. Stephen emphasizes his historical role. The name "Jacob" signifies "he grasps the heel" or "supplanter," indicative of his early life. He is a pivotal figure in God's covenantal promises and the formation of the nation of Israel.
• heard (ἤκουσεν, ēkousen): From ἀκούω (akouō), meaning "to hear," "to listen," "to perceive by hearing." It denotes Jacob's reception of vital information, not merely passive hearing, but a piece of news that required immediate and significant action given the dire circumstances of the famine. It implies active recognition of a solution to a pressing problem.
• that there was grain (σῖτα εἶναι, sita einai):
  • Grain (σῖτα, sita): The plural of σῖτος (sitos), referring to harvested corn, wheat, or other cereal crops, essentially "food supplies." It stands in stark contrast to the widespread famine, representing abundance and life-sustaining provision.
  • there was (εἶναι, einai): The infinitive of the verb "to be," indicating the present reality of available food supplies. The phrase signifies that resources existed in Egypt when they did not elsewhere.
• in Egypt (ἐν Αἰγύπτῳ, en Aigyptō): Egypt was known as the breadbasket of the ancient world due to the fertility of the Nile Delta, and through Joseph's wisdom, it had meticulously prepared for the severe famine (Gen 41:48-49, 56-57). This location becomes God's providential temporary home for Israel, fulfilling aspects of the Abrahamic covenant.
• he sent out (ἐξαπέστειλεν, exapesteilen): A strong compound verb, from ἐκ (ek, "out of") and ἀποστέλλω (apostellō, "to send away"). It means "to dispatch," "to send forth with a specific mission." It highlights Jacob's intentional, purposeful action as the family's leader, indicating the seriousness and urgency of the task.
• our fathers (τοὺς πατέρας ἡμῶν, tous pateras hēmōn): This refers specifically to the sons of Jacob, except for Benjamin (and potentially Joseph who was already there), who would be the progenitors of the twelve tribes of Israel. Stephen, identifying as an Israelite, includes himself in this historical lineage, affirming his connection to his heritage while simultaneously challenging his audience about their failures.
• first (πρῶτον, prōton): This adverb emphasizes the initial expedition. It indicates that this was the first of two trips his sons would make before Joseph revealed himself and invited the whole family to settle in Egypt (Gen 42-43). This temporal marker highlights the unfolding of God's plan in distinct steps.

Acts 7 12 Bonus section

• The famine forcing Jacob's family into Egypt parallels other biblical accounts where famine acts as a catalyst for significant moves or divine intervention, such as Abraham's temporary move to Egypt (Gen 12) or Naomi's family moving to Moab (Ruth 1). These highlight God's sovereignty over natural circumstances and their use in directing human history.
• Stephen's use of "our fathers" is strategic. He embraces their lineage and history, indicating that his critique is from within the tradition, not an attack from an outsider. This bolsters his authority while allowing him to point out their recurring unfaithfulness.
• The detail of sending them "first" subtly hints at the testing the brothers underwent with Joseph, God's further work in softening their hearts, and the eventual family reunion, all crucial for Jacob's entire family to settle in Egypt and commence the fulfilling of the "four hundred years" of sojourning mentioned in the Abrahamic covenant (Gen 15:13).

Acts 7 12 Commentary

Acts 7:12, embedded within Stephen's historic summary, is far more than a simple historical recounting. It underscores God's intricate providence, showing how seemingly mundane family decisions, prompted by necessity, were integral to His overarching plan. Jacob's action was a response to immediate physical need, a desperate measure to secure survival amidst a devastating famine, but it precisely aligned with God's prophetic word to Abraham that his descendants would sojourn in a foreign land. Egypt, though a pagan nation, served as a divine refuge, prepared through Joseph's faithfulness, where Israel could be preserved and grow. Stephen uses this moment to illustrate God's active involvement in the nation's formative years, highlighting that God operates beyond the perceived sacred spaces and orchestrates events to achieve His redemptive purposes, even through circumstances that might initially appear adverse. The verse demonstrates how the needs of humanity are often met through God's pre-arranged provisions, leading His people precisely where He intends them to be for their development and for the fulfillment of His promises.