Acts 7 26

Acts 7:26 kjv

And the next day he shewed himself unto them as they strove, and would have set them at one again, saying, Sirs, ye are brethren; why do ye wrong one to another?

Acts 7:26 nkjv

And the next day he appeared to two of them as they were fighting, and tried to reconcile them, saying, 'Men, you are brethren; why do you wrong one another?'

Acts 7:26 niv

The next day Moses came upon two Israelites who were fighting. He tried to reconcile them by saying, 'Men, you are brothers; why do you want to hurt each other?'

Acts 7:26 esv

And on the following day he appeared to them as they were quarreling and tried to reconcile them, saying, 'Men, you are brothers. Why do you wrong each other?'

Acts 7:26 nlt

"The next day he visited them again and saw two men of Israel fighting. He tried to be a peacemaker. 'Men,' he said, 'you are brothers. Why are you fighting each other?'

Acts 7 verses

Acts 7 26 Meaning

Acts 7:26 recounts a specific incident from Moses' early life, highlighted by Stephen in his speech before the Sanhedrin. It describes Moses intervening in a dispute between two Israelite men. Having recognized his people's oppression, Moses steps forward as a potential reconciler and judge. His words, "Men, you are brothers; why do you wrong each other?" cut to the core of their shared identity and lament the internal strife plaguing his own people. This act demonstrates Moses' early inclination towards justice and unity among the Israelites, foreshadowing his greater role as their divinely appointed deliverer and lawgiver.

Acts 7 26 Context

Acts chapter 7 contains Stephen's impassioned defense speech before the Sanhedrin. Accused of speaking against the Temple and the Law, Stephen recounts a panoramic history of Israel, from Abraham to the giving of the Law, the Tabernacle, and the building of the Temple. His purpose is not merely to narrate history but to highlight a recurring pattern: God's faithfulness in sending deliverers and prophets, and Israel's consistent rejection of them. Acts 7:26 specifically fits into Stephen's exposition of Moses' life. Stephen details Moses' divine call, his attempts to intervene for his people, and how these very efforts were initially rejected by those he sought to help (Acts 7:27-28). This historical incident of Moses attempting to reconcile his feuding "brothers" directly precedes his initial rejection and subsequent flight, laying the groundwork for Stephen's overarching argument that Israel, and particularly the Sanhedrin, have always resisted God's appointed messengers, culminating in their rejection and murder of Jesus Christ, the ultimate Deliverer (Acts 7:51-53).

Acts 7 26 Word analysis

• And (δὲ - de): A conjunction indicating sequence or transition. Here, it signifies the next stage or event in Moses' growing awareness and actions related to his people's suffering, building on the previous verses which describe his decision to "visit his brothers."
• the next day (τῇ ἐπιούσῃ ἡμέρᾳ - tē epiousē hēmera): Literally "on the following day" or "the coming day." This emphasizes the immediate progression of events, indicating Moses' persistent concern and engagement with his kinsmen's plight. It's not a casual encounter but a purposeful "going out."
• he appeared (ὤφθη - ōphthē): From horaō (to see), here in the passive voice, implying "he was seen" or "he showed himself." Moses actively presented himself, taking the initiative to intervene, reflecting his emerging sense of responsibility and leadership.
• to them (αὐτοῖς - autois): Refers to the two Israelite men, as depicted in the original Exodus narrative, highlighting that Moses' focus was on fellow Israelites, his "brothers."
• as they were quarreling (μαχομένοις - machomenois): The present participle from machomai (to fight, contend, quarrel). This denotes ongoing, active conflict or antagonism. It paints a picture of disunity and internal strife among God's people, a deep wound Moses immediately sought to address.
• and tried to reconcile them (συνήλλασσεν αὐτοὺς εἰς εἰρήνην - synēllassen autous eis eirēnēn): Stephen’s phrasing here echoes the Septuagint (Greek Old Testament) of Exodus 2:13, conveying Moses’ action as one who was bringing them together unto peace. The verb synallassō means to reconcile, to settle differences, or to bring into alliance. This demonstrates Moses' initial, God-given impulse to mediate and bring peace to his people, positioning him as an agent of reconciliation, not just observation.
• saying (εἰπών - eipōn): Indicating a direct address, a verbal intervention. Moses did not just physically intervene but spoke authoritatively to the situation.
• ‘Men (Ἄνδρες - Andres): A respectful, direct address used when speaking to adult males. It highlights the serious and reasoned nature of Moses' interjection.
• you are brothers (ἀδελφοί ἐστε - adelphoi este): A foundational statement emphasizing their shared ethnic and spiritual identity as descendants of Abraham, united by a common heritage and divine election. It challenges their strife by appealing to their inherent bond and solidarity. This brotherhood should negate hostility.
• why (ἵνα τί - hina ti): A rhetorical question, literally "to what purpose?" or "for what reason?" It expresses incredulity, dismay, and a challenge to their irrational and destructive behavior. It seeks to expose the senselessness of their conflict.
• do you wrong (ἀδικεῖτε - adikeite): From adikeō (to do injustice, wrong, injure, harm). This word implies not just disagreement but actual injury or unrighteous conduct against one another. It's an accusation of active sin and violation of shared ethical principles.
• each other?’ (ἀλλήλους - allēlous): Indicates reciprocal action, highlighting the mutual nature of the harm or injustice. It emphasizes that both parties, being brothers, are engaging in self-destructive behavior.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And the next day he appeared to them": This phrase underlines Moses' persistence and immediate action after witnessing the Israelites' oppression (Exod 2:11-12). He deliberately put himself in a position to observe and then to intervene among his people. It's not an accidental stumble upon a scene, but a continuation of his developing concern for his Hebrew kinsmen.
• "as they were quarreling and tried to reconcile them": This highlights the core conflict Stephen wishes to emphasize. The Israelites' internal strife ("quarreling") necessitated external intervention. Moses’ "tried to reconcile them" demonstrates his messianic, peacemaking intent from the very beginning of his public ministry. It points to his initial—though rejected—effort to bring harmony, aligning him with the broader theme of God sending reconcilers whom Israel repeatedly resisted.
• "saying, ‘Men, you are brothers; why do you wrong each other?’": These words form the central theological point of this verse. Moses appeals to their shared identity and common bond ("you are brothers") as the very reason their conflict ("why do you wrong each other?") is both senseless and sinful. It's a foundational challenge to their divisiveness, implicitly pointing to a deeper unity required of God's chosen people. This sentiment prefigures the call for unity throughout the Bible, particularly in the New Testament Church.

Acts 7 26 Bonus section

The Hebrew context for the interaction in Exodus 2:13-14 reveals even deeper nuances relevant to Stephen's message. The one "wronging" or "striking" the other is likely the physically stronger one, emphasizing an act of injustice against a weaker kinsman, rather than a balanced dispute. Moses' intervention isn't just peacemaking, but judicial correction. Stephen implicitly positions Moses as the first among many "judges and deliverers" God sent, whose authority was challenged by the very people they came to save. This resonates strongly with Jesus' role as the ultimate Ruler and Deliverer, likewise rejected by His own people. The resistance Stephen highlights demonstrates that even when God raises up one from among their own people, and demonstrates an unmistakable care for them, the pattern of resistance to divine authority persists. This historical incident sets a poignant tone for Stephen's condemnation of the Sanhedrin's rejection of Jesus.

Acts 7 26 Commentary

Acts 7:26 is a brief but profound statement within Stephen's lengthy speech. It describes Moses' compassionate yet direct intervention in a Jewish dispute. Far from being a mere historical anecdote, Stephen uses this incident to unveil a recurring theme in Israel's history: the internal strife among God's people and their subsequent rejection of the deliverer God provides. Moses' attempt at reconciliation was foundational to his identity as a God-appointed leader, showing him to be a shepherd who sought peace and justice within his own flock. His words, "Men, you are brothers; why do you wrong each other?", were an appeal to their covenantal solidarity and a rebuke of their unjust conduct.

This verse lays the groundwork for Stephen's immediate follow-up: how the man being wronged rejected Moses' authority ("Who made you a ruler and a judge over us?" Acts 7:27-28). This swift rejection, right at the start of Moses' efforts, parallels Israel's rejection of God's other prophets throughout history, culminating in their rejection and crucifixion of Jesus. Thus, the quarreling brothers and their resistance to Moses' peacemaking initiative serve as a microcosm of Israel's larger, persistent resistance to the Holy Spirit and to God's chosen instruments of salvation and reconciliation. The verse therefore is not just about a specific quarrel, but about Israel's spiritual blindness to its divinely appointed leaders and the devastating consequences of disunity within God's own household.

Examples:

• Failure to recognize shared identity: When believers quarrel over trivial matters, forgetting their spiritual brotherhood in Christ.
• Rejecting reconciliation: Stubborn refusal to forgive or seek peace with fellow believers who are in conflict.