Acts 7 29

Acts 7:29 kjv

Then fled Moses at this saying, and was a stranger in the land of Madian, where he begat two sons.

Acts 7:29 nkjv

Then, at this saying, Moses fled and became a dweller in the land of Midian, where he had two sons.

Acts 7:29 niv

When Moses heard this, he fled to Midian, where he settled as a foreigner and had two sons.

Acts 7:29 esv

At this retort Moses fled and became an exile in the land of Midian, where he became the father of two sons.

Acts 7:29 nlt

When Moses heard that, he fled the country and lived as a foreigner in the land of Midian. There his two sons were born.

Acts 7 verses

Acts 7 29 meaning

Acts 7:29 describes a pivotal moment in Moses' life following his initial attempt to intervene on behalf of his people in Egypt. Upon realizing his actions were known and his authority questioned, Moses fled Pharaoh's reach and sought refuge in the land of Midian. During this period of self-imposed exile, he established a new life, marrying and fathering two sons, thus becoming a sojourner away from his native land. This retreat into obscurity marked a transformative forty-year period, essential for his divine preparation before his call as God's chosen deliverer.

Acts 7 29 Context

Acts 7:29 is part of Stephen's sermon before the Sanhedrin, where he recounts the history of Israel from Abraham to Solomon. Stephen's purpose is to demonstrate God's activity and presence throughout history, often outside specific geographical locations (like the Temple) and through individuals initially rejected by their own people. This verse immediately follows Stephen's account of Moses' first attempt to deliver his people by killing an Egyptian, an act that leads to his discovery and the rejection of his nascent leadership by a fellow Israelite. The historical and cultural context underscores the danger Moses faced, as revealing his deed could lead to execution by Pharaoh. His flight to Midian highlights divine providence, transforming a desperate escape into a period of profound preparation for his eventual, more powerful, divine calling at the burning bush. Stephen uses Moses' experience of rejection, flight, and eventual divine commissioning to build his argument, implicitly drawing parallels with Jesus, the ultimate rejected deliverer.

Acts 7 29 Word analysis

• Then (Τότε, tote): This conjunction denotes a sequence of events. It connects Moses' flight directly to the preceding events of his attempt to intervene for an Israelite and his subsequent rejection/exposure (Acts 7:28; Exod 2:13-14).
• Moses (Μωϋσῆς, Mōysēs): The central figure. Signifies God's chosen, yet initially misunderstood and rejected, deliverer for Israel. Stephen uses him as a pivotal historical figure to trace God's working.
• fled (ἔφυγεν, ephugen): This verb signifies a hurried and desperate escape, driven by the immediate threat on his life (Pharaoh seeking to kill him, Exod 2:15). It highlights a human act of self-preservation that, in God's sovereignty, becomes a divinely orchestrated removal and preparation.
• at this statement (ἐν τῷ λόγῳ τούτῳ, en tō logō toutō): Refers specifically to the questioning Israelite's words, "Who made you a ruler and a judge over us? Are you intending to kill me as you killed the Egyptian yesterday?" (Acts 7:28; Exod 2:14). This revealed his secret act and threatened his life, demonstrating both Israel's immediate rejection of Moses and the cause of his flight.
• and became a sojourner (καὶ ἐγένετο πάροικος, kai egeneto paroikos):
  • became (ἐγένετο, egeneto): Signifies a transition or change of state; Moses moved from a princely life to one of exile.
  • sojourner (πάροικος, paroikos): Refers to a non-citizen living in a foreign land. It emphasizes his statelessness, detachment from his people, and dependence. This term is significant as it ties Moses' experience to a long tradition of "sojourners" in Israel's history, from Abraham onwards, often signifying a relationship of trust in God's providence (Heb 11:9-10). The naming of his first son, Gershom ("a sojourner there"), reflects this status (Exod 2:22).
• in the land of Midian (ἐν γῇ Μαδιάμ, en gē Madiam):
  • Midian (Μαδιάμ, Madiam): A desert region located east of the Gulf of Aqaba and south of Moab, traditionally associated with the area around Mount Sinai. It was a suitable place for obscurity and quiet shepherding, removed from Egyptian power. This region becomes the location of Moses' spiritual training and divine encounter.
• where he became the father of two sons (οὗ ἐγέννησεν υἱοὺς δύο, hou egennēsen huiou sduo): This clause shows life continuing and even thriving in his exile. The birth of his sons, Gershom and Eliezer, were personally significant, their names reflecting his new status as an alien and God's protective help (Exod 18:3-4).

• Moses fled at this statement: This phrase emphasizes the direct consequence of his perceived exposure and rejection by his own people. His self-initiated action was met with repudiation, necessitating his flight from Pharaoh's wrath. This serves as a parallel to Stephen's message of a divinely appointed leader (Jesus) being rejected.
• became a sojourner in the land of Midian: This denotes a complete shift in Moses' status and location. From an Egyptian prince to a stateless alien in a remote land. This period of approximately forty years transformed him from an impetuous individual relying on his own strength to a humble shepherd, essential for God's redemptive plans. It prepared him for the solitude of the wilderness, crucial for leading the Israelites.
• where he became the father of two sons: This phrase signifies the establishment of a new domestic life during his exile. It implies a sense of normalcy and God's provision even in banishment. The very names of his sons bear witness to his experience as a 'sojourner' (Gershom) and God's 'help' (Eliezer), providing insight into his emotional and spiritual state during this time.

Acts 7 29 Bonus section

The "forty years" in Midian for Moses echo biblical patterns of significant durations (e.g., 40 days of flood, 40 years in the wilderness for Israel, 40 days for Jesus' temptation). This repeated pattern often signifies periods of testing, preparation, or judgment leading to a divine new beginning or revelation. Moses' time as a 'sojourner' not only served as a period of personal maturation and spiritual stripping away of his Egyptian identity, but it also immersed him in the desert environment. This intimate knowledge of the wilderness topography and its harsh realities was invaluable for him as he later led the Israelite nation through that very same desert, underscoring the practical aspects of God's 'boot camp' training. Stephen's account also subtly positions Moses as a precursor to Jesus, both of whom were initially rejected by their people despite being appointed for deliverance, thus serving as a polemic against the Sanhedrin's rejection of Christ.

Acts 7 29 Commentary

Acts 7:29 concisely articulates a crucial turning point in Moses' life, detailing his flight from Egyptian persecution to Midian and his establishment of a new family there. Stephen strategically highlights this period of exile as God's preparatory phase, transforming an impulsive Egyptian prince into a humble shepherd through forty years of wilderness obscurity. This experience of rejection by his own, forced relocation, and growth in a foreign land showcases God's sovereign timing and methods for preparing His instruments, often outside the expected centers of power or in moments of apparent failure. The term "sojourner" emphasizes his alienation, yet it's precisely this detachment that allows him to reconnect with the roots of his heritage and the God of Abraham, preparing him for the monumental task of delivering Israel.