Acts 7 22

Acts 7:22 kjv

And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and in deeds.

Acts 7:22 nkjv

And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and deeds.

Acts 7:22 niv

Moses was educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians and was powerful in speech and action.

Acts 7:22 esv

And Moses was instructed in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and he was mighty in his words and deeds.

Acts 7:22 nlt

Moses was taught all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and he was powerful in both speech and action.

Acts 7 verses

Acts 7 22 Meaning

Acts 7:22 states that Moses received a complete and comprehensive education in all the sophisticated knowledge of ancient Egypt and that he was remarkably capable both in speech and in action. This highlights Moses's significant human qualifications, meticulously shaped by divine providence, to prepare him for his monumental role as Israel's leader and deliverer.

Acts 7 22 Context

Acts chapter 7 presents Stephen's profound and extensive defense speech before the Sanhedrin, which ultimately leads to his martyrdom. Accused of blasphemy against the Law and the Temple, Stephen responds by recounting the grand sweep of Israel's history, highlighting God's faithfulness despite His people's consistent rejection of His messengers. Verse 22 functions as a critical juncture in this narrative, establishing Moses's exceptional qualifications by worldly standards before introducing the surprising theme of his initial rejection by Israel, a deliberate parallel to their later rejection of Jesus Christ.

Historically and culturally, Moses's upbringing in Pharaoh's royal court meant exposure to the pinnacle of ancient Egyptian civilization. Egypt was renowned for its advanced knowledge in diverse fields such as administration, law, mathematics, astronomy, architecture, engineering, medicine, and military strategy. Royal education included rhetoric, a command of hieroglyphs, and potentially, the practices of Egyptian magicians. The "wisdom of the Egyptians" (sophia) referred to this comprehensive body of sophisticated, yet largely pagan, knowledge and practical skill. Stephen uses this background to emphasize that Moses, far from being an unlearned prophet, was fully equipped with the most refined secular wisdom available, showing God's providence in preparing an extraordinarily capable individual for leadership.

Acts 7 22 Word analysis

• And Moses (Kai Mouses): A simple conjunction and subject, transitioning Stephen's historical narrative to the pivotal figure of Moses.

• was learned (ἐπαιδεύθη / epaideuthē): The Greek perfect passive verb from paideuō, meaning "to educate," "to train," "to instruct," or "to discipline." The passive voice emphasizes that Moses received this extensive training, underscoring its deliberate and thorough nature within the Egyptian royal system. It indicates a complete and structured formation.

• in all (ἐν πάση / en pasē): This emphasizes the comprehensiveness and mastery of his education. Moses's learning was not partial but encompassed the entire scope of Egyptian knowledge.

• the wisdom (τῇ σοφίᾳ / tē sophia): Greek for "wisdom," signifying profound knowledge, skill, insight, understanding, and intellectual ability. In this specific context, it refers to the vast secular knowledge and philosophical traditions of ancient Egypt, a dominant civilization of the era. It can be seen in tension with divine wisdom from God (e.g., Prov 1:7).

• of the Egyptians (Αἰγυπτίων / Aigyptiōn): Specifies the source of this advanced knowledge. It underscores that Moses’s education came from a leading pagan culture, demonstrating God's ability to providentially use various means, even secular ones, to prepare His chosen servants.

• and was mighty (καὶ ἦν δυνατός / kai ēn dynatos): Greek dynatos means "powerful," "able," "strong," "potent," or "capable." It conveys Moses's effectiveness and forceful capability. This suggests his ability to act decisively and impactfully.

• in words (ἐν λόγοις / en logois): Refers to his rhetorical power, persuasive communication, administrative commands, and ability to articulate divine revelations or laws. While Moses initially claimed to be "slow of speech" (Exod 4:10), this statement by Stephen implies his acquired and divinely assisted oratorical strength developed during his preparation and commissioning.

• and in deeds (καὶ ἔργοις / kai ergois): Relates to Moses's actions, accomplishments, and tangible impact. This encompasses his leadership acts, administrative feats, and most prominently, the numerous signs, wonders, and miraculous acts performed through him by God’s power in Egypt and during the Exodus journey.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians": This phrase portrays Moses as possessing an unparalleled intellectual and practical education from the most sophisticated worldly source of his time. It highlights God’s meticulous, even if outwardly secular, preparation of His chosen instrument. While worldly, this training provided him with foundational skills for administration, leadership, and critical thinking.
  • "and was mighty in words and in deeds": This describes the powerful efficacy of Moses in both communication and action. "Mighty in words" signifies his capacity to articulate God's will and persuade or confront, overcoming any previous limitations. "Mighty in deeds" points to his executive leadership and the demonstrably powerful, often miraculous, works God accomplished through him, solidifying his authority and divine commission.

Acts 7 22 Bonus section

• The detail of Moses being "mighty in words" may derive from extrabiblical Jewish traditions that flourished in Stephen's time, highlighting Moses's significant rhetorical skills later in life despite his initial hesitation mentioned in Exodus. These traditions served to amplify the stature of Moses.
• Moses's upbringing and vast knowledge served God’s purposes beyond merely leading Israel; he also documented much of the Old Testament law and history. His intellectual capacity was utilized for divine revelation.
• The fact that Moses, fully prepared with worldly wisdom and human might, still depended entirely on God for deliverance (e.g., Red Sea parting, manna, water from the rock) subtly reinforces that true power for God's work comes from Him, not solely from human endowments.
• This verse can be understood as an example of how God often prepares His chosen vessels over a long period, even through seemingly secular or unexpected channels, to hone their skills and character for His specific kingdom purposes.

Acts 7 22 Commentary

Acts 7:22 offers a succinct yet profound summary of Moses's comprehensive qualifications, setting the stage for Stephen's overarching argument. Stephen paints a portrait of Moses as exceptionally well-equipped: intellectually brilliant due to his training in "all the wisdom of the Egyptians," signifying mastery of the highest available human knowledge, from governance to natural sciences. Furthermore, being "mighty in words and in deeds" underscores his effectiveness as a leader. This dual capacity implies not only rhetorical power and persuasive articulation of God’s messages and commands but also a dynamic, impactful presence through action, particularly through the miraculous signs and wonders he performed. This verse showcases God’s intricate providence, allowing His servant to gain vital skills within a sophisticated but pagan culture, then supernaturally empowering him. This robust preparation emphasizes that Israel's rejection of Moses was not due to his inadequacy, a point Stephen uses to draw a direct parallel to the unjust rejection of Jesus, God's ultimate prophet and deliverer.