Acts 7:18 kjv
Till another king arose, which knew not Joseph.
Acts 7:18 nkjv
till another king arose who did not know Joseph.
Acts 7:18 niv
Then 'a new king, to whom Joseph meant nothing, came to power in Egypt.'
Acts 7:18 esv
until there arose over Egypt another king who did not know Joseph.
Acts 7:18 nlt
But then a new king came to the throne of Egypt who knew nothing about Joseph.
Acts 7 18 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Genesis 47:27 | So Israel lived in the land of Egypt, in the land of Goshen. | Genesis 47:27 (Fulfillment) |
| Exodus 1:6 | Joseph died, and all his brothers, and all that generation. | Exodus 1:6 (Continuation) |
| Exodus 1:7 | But the Israelites were fruitful and multiplied greatly... | Exodus 1:7 (Explication) |
| Exodus 1:8 | Now a new king arose over Egypt, who did not know Joseph. | Exodus 1:8 (Direct Echo) |
| Deuteronomy 7:1 | For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. | Deut. 7:1 (Nation's Identity) |
| Joshua 24:4 | Then I gave to Isaac Jacob and Esau, but to Esau I gave Mount Seir... | Joshua 24:4 (Patriarchal History) |
| Psalm 105:23-24 | Then Israel sojourned in the land of Ham and gave them trouble in the land of his brother Joseph. He made his people to greatly multiply and made them stronger than their enemies. | Psalm 105:23-24 (Divine Plan) |
| Isaiah 63:9 | In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them. | Isaiah 63:9 (God's Empathy) |
| Acts 13:17 | The God of this people Israel chose our fathers and exalted the people when they dwelt as strangers in the land of Egypt... | Acts 13:17 (Historical Parallel) |
| Acts 7:50 | Did not my hand make all these things? | Acts 7:50 (God's Sovereignty) |
| Genesis 15:13-14 | Then he said to Abram, “Know for certain that your offspring will be sojourners in a land that is not theirs, and they will be servants to them, and they will afflict them for four hundred years... | Gen. 15:13-14 (Prophecy of Affliction) |
| Exodus 3:7 | Then the LORD said, “I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt... | Ex. 3:7 (God's Awareness) |
| Jeremiah 11:16 | The LORD once called you, 'A flourishing olive tree, beautiful in fruit.' ... | Jer. 11:16 (Nation's Blessing/Peril) |
| Acts 14:3 | So they remained for a long time, speaking boldly in the Lord, who bore witness to the word of his grace... | Acts 14:3 (Bold Witness) |
| Acts 17:29 | Being then God’s offspring, we ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man. | Acts 17:29 (Distinction from Idolatry) |
| Romans 3:23 | for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God | Rom. 3:23 (Universal Sin) |
| Romans 9:17 | For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” | Rom. 9:17 (God's Purpose in Rulers) |
| 1 Corinthians 10:13 | No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. But God is faithful... | 1 Cor. 10:13 (God's Faithfulness) |
| Galatians 3:29 | And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise. | Gal. 3:29 (Spiritual Offspring) |
| 1 Peter 2:9 | But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession... | 1 Pet. 2:9 (Chosen Identity) |
| Revelation 21:3-4 | And behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them... | Rev. 21:3-4 (God's Presence) |
Acts 7 verses
Acts 7 18 Meaning
The verse describes a time after Joseph’s death when a new king rose to power in Egypt. This king did not remember Joseph or understand the positive impact Joseph had on Egypt. This new ruler viewed the descendants of Jacob (Israel) as a threat because of their large population.
Acts 7 18 Context
This verse is spoken by Stephen, addressing the Sanhedrin, in Acts chapter 7. Stephen is recounting the history of Israel from its beginnings, highlighting God’s faithfulness and Israel's repeated disobedience. He emphasizes God’s work through Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph, and how Joseph saved Egypt during a famine, which allowed Jacob’s family to settle there. Stephen is using this historical narrative to underscore a theological point about God's overarching plan, the rejection of God's chosen people and messengers, and ultimately, Jesus himself. Stephen is in the midst of a powerful defense that will lead to his martyrdom.
Acts 7 18 Word Analysis
- "Now": (Greek: δε - de) A conjunction often used to introduce a new section or thought, signifying a transition in the narrative.
- "when": (Greek: τε - te) Another conjunctive particle, often continuing a thought or showing a sequence of events. Here it marks the passing of time.
- "another": (Greek: ἕτερος - heteros) Another, different, of a different kind. It implies a distinction from Joseph’s era and character.
- "king": (Greek: βασιλεύς - basileus) King. The supreme ruler.
- "arose": (Greek: ἐγείρω - egeiro) To raise up, to wake, to stir up. It can suggest a divinely appointed rise or simply a succession.
- "over": (Greek: ἐπί - epi) Upon, over, against. Indicating dominion.
- "Egypt": (Greek: Αἴγυπτος - Aigyptos) Egypt. Refers to the nation and its people.
- "who": (Greek: ὅς - hos) Relative pronoun referring to the king.
- "did not know": (Greek: οὐκ οἶδα - ouk oida) To not know, to be ignorant of. This ignorance is not just factual but likely implies a disregard for Joseph's legacy and deeds.
- "Joseph": (Greek: Ἰωσήφ - Iōsēph) Joseph. The beloved son of Jacob who rose to prominence in Egypt.
Word Group Analysis:
- "another king arose over Egypt": This phrase marks a significant shift in the political and social landscape of Egypt. It signals the end of the era where Joseph’s contributions were remembered and respected. The word "arose" (egeiro) suggests a new power structure that could potentially be influenced by divine will or human ambition.
- "who did not know Joseph": This highlights a fundamental disconnect between the new leadership and the history that shaped Egypt's prosperity. It’s not just an absence of factual knowledge, but a critical lack of recognition for Joseph's instrumental role, suggesting a political and ideological break with the past that benefited the Israelites.
Acts 7 18 Bonus Section
This verse underscores a critical aspect of God's redemptive history: His plans often unfold through shifts in power and human remembrance, or forgetfulness. The rise of a king who "did not know Joseph" is a divine allowance that leads to the fulfillment of prophecy regarding Israel's time in Egypt and their subsequent deliverance. Stephen is expertly using this historical transition to draw parallels to the contemporary situation, where many of his listeners (the Sanhedrin) also refuse to acknowledge God's work through Jesus. It's a powerful example of how human leaders can be either instruments of God’s purpose or obstacles to it, based on their awareness and attitude towards God’s actions.
Acts 7 18 Commentary
Stephen uses this specific detail to explain the ensuing oppression of the Israelites. The new king’s ignorance or indifference to Joseph's significant contributions signifies a turning point. It sets the stage for a pharaonic policy shift that views the growing Israelite population not as a blessing or a neutral group, but as a potential danger. This reflects a common theme in biblical history where those God has favored and blessed can become targets for rulers who do not acknowledge God's sovereignty or His people's purpose. The contrast is stark: Joseph saved Egypt, but a future ruler endangered God's people because he had no regard for that history. This verse also sets up the fulfillment of the prophecy concerning Israel’s sojourning and affliction in Egypt, as foretold to Abraham.