Acts 7:21 kjv
And when he was cast out, Pharaoh's daughter took him up, and nourished him for her own son.
Acts 7:21 nkjv
But when he was set out, Pharaoh's daughter took him away and brought him up as her own son.
Acts 7:21 niv
When he was placed outside, Pharaoh's daughter took him and brought him up as her own son.
Acts 7:21 esv
and when he was exposed, Pharaoh's daughter adopted him and brought him up as her own son.
Acts 7:21 nlt
When they had to abandon him, Pharaoh's daughter adopted him and raised him as her own son.
Acts 7 21 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Exodus 2:10 | "And the child grew, and she brought him unto Pharaoh's daughter, and he became her son." | Moses' adoption by Pharaoh's daughter |
| Hebrews 11:24 | "By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter;" | Moses' faith in choosing suffering |
| Acts 7:20 | "In which time Moses was born, and was exceeding fair, and nourished up in his father's house:" | Prior verse setting the stage |
| Exodus 1:15 | "And the king of Egypt spake to the Hebrew midwives, of which the name of the one was Shiprah, and the name of the other Puah:" | Pharaoh's initial decrees against Hebrews |
| Exodus 1:22 | "And Pharaoh charged all his people, saying, Every son that is born ye shall cast into the river, and every daughter ye shall save alive." | Pharaoh's general decree for Israelite sons |
| Numbers 12:3 | "Now the man Moses was very meek above all the men which were upon the face of the earth." | Moses' character during his upbringing |
| John 1:14 | "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth." | Christ's adoptive status |
| Ephesians 1:5 | "Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will," | God's adoption of believers |
| Galatians 4:4 | "But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law," | God's sovereign timing in sending Christ |
| Matthew 2:13 | "And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him." | Moses' infancy, parallel with Jesus |
| Acts 7:22 | "And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words, and in deeds." | Moses' education and capabilities |
| Romans 9:11 | "For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand; not of works, but of him that calleth;" | God's election, even in Moses' lineage |
| Acts 13:22 | "And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will." | David, another chosen leader |
| Deuteronomy 34:7 | "And Moses was an hundred and twenty years old when he died: his eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated." | Moses' later life, demonstrating nurturing |
| Joshua 1:1 | "Now after the death of Moses the servant of the LORD it came to pass, that the LORD spake unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' minister, saying," | Succession of leadership |
| Psalm 27:10 | "When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up." | God's provision in family absence |
| Isaiah 49:15 | "Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee." | God's unwavering care |
| 1 Corinthians 1:27 | "But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the mighty;" | God using unlikely instruments |
| 2 Timothy 3:15 | "And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus." | Importance of early training |
| Proverbs 17:6 | "Children's children are the crown of the old men; and the glory of children are their fathers." | The value of heritage |
| 1 Peter 2:9 | "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:" | Divine calling and identity |
Acts 7 verses
Acts 7 21 Meaning
The verse describes Moses' upbringing. He was adopted by Pharaoh's daughter and was raised as her own son, an exceptional circumstance given his Hebrew heritage in a predominantly Egyptian environment.
Acts 7 21 Context
Stephen, defending himself before the Sanhedrin, recounts the history of Israel. In Acts 7:20, he describes Moses' birth as extraordinary, highlighting his exceptional beauty and nurturing. This verse, Acts 7:21, elaborates on his adoption by Pharaoh's daughter. This detail serves to contrast the precariousness of Moses' birth (a Hebrew boy thrown into the Nile by royal decree) with the very authority that decreed his death. It underscores God's sovereignty and plan to rescue His people through a man intimately connected to their oppressors. Stephen is implicitly showing that God uses even the strategies of His enemies for His purposes. The broader context is Stephen's defense of Judaism against the accusations of the Sanhedrin, emphasizing God's continuous interaction with Israel through key figures, culminating in Jesus.
Acts 7 21 Word Analysis
"And" (καὶ, kai): A common conjunction, linking this verse to the previous one, showing a continuous narrative.
"Moses" (Μωϋσῆς, Mōusēs): The central figure being discussed, Hebrew name possibly derived from "to draw out."
"was" (ἐγενήθη, egenēthē): Aorist passive indicative of γίνομαι (ginomai), meaning "to become" or "to be born." Indicates the act of being brought up or educated.
"nourished up" (ἐνεπτίζετο, eneptizeto): Imperfect passive indicative of ἐμπτίζω (emptizō), meaning "to suckle," "to feed," or "to bring up." It emphasizes the active process of nurturing and upbringing, likely referring to nursing and early care.
"of" (ἐκ, ek): A preposition indicating origin or source.
"Pharaoh's" (Φαραὼ, Pharaō): The royal title of the Egyptian king.
"daughter" (θυγατρός, thugatros): Refers to the king's daughter.
Word Group: "was nourished up of Pharaoh's daughter": This phrase highlights the unique and ironic circumstances of Moses' upbringing. Despite the decree to kill Hebrew male infants, Moses was not only saved but raised in the very household of the oppressor. This demonstrates divine providence, taking a child rescued from a death sentence and placing him in the care of the one who indirectly issued the sentence. This signifies God's ability to work within human systems and even through those who oppose His will.
Acts 7 21 Bonus Section
The exceptional "beauty" of Moses mentioned in the previous verse (Acts 7:20) might have been a divine indicator or a personal characteristic that attracted Pharaoh's daughter. In many cultures, including ancient Egypt, striking appearance could denote favor or destiny. This detail adds to the extraordinary nature of Moses' salvation and subsequent upbringing, setting him apart for the divine task ahead. His nurture within the Egyptian court would have equipped him with knowledge and understanding of their ways, crucial for the leadership role he would later assume. This is a clear instance of God preparing His servants by giving them the necessary tools, even from within challenging environments.
Acts 7 21 Commentary
Stephen's account reveals God's remarkable intervention in raising Moses. This wasn't merely survival; it was an intentional placement within the Egyptian royal court. Moses, destined to lead Israel out of slavery, received an education and upbringing within the framework of his oppressors. This divine strategy positioned Moses to understand both the Egyptian power structure and his own people's plight. It foreshadows God's ultimate plan of redemption, often achieved through unlikely means and individuals placed in pivotal positions by His hand, mirroring how Jesus, born into humble circumstances, ultimately conquered worldly powers.