Acts 7 31

Acts 7:31 kjv

When Moses saw it, he wondered at the sight: and as he drew near to behold it, the voice of the LORD came unto him,

Acts 7:31 nkjv

When Moses saw it, he marveled at the sight; and as he drew near to observe, the voice of the Lord came to him,

Acts 7:31 niv

When he saw this, he was amazed at the sight. As he went over to get a closer look, he heard the Lord say:

Acts 7:31 esv

When Moses saw it, he was amazed at the sight, and as he drew near to look, there came the voice of the Lord:

Acts 7:31 nlt

When Moses saw it, he was amazed at the sight. As he went to take a closer look, the voice of the LORD called out to him,

Acts 7 verses

Acts 7 31 meaning

Acts 7:31 describes the crucial moment of Moses' encounter with the burning bush. Moses observed an extraordinary sight – a bush engulfed in flames yet not consumed – and was filled with wonder. His curiosity prompted him to draw closer for a clearer examination. At this point, the sight transcended visual marvel, as a distinct, authoritative voice emerged, explicitly identified as the Lord's. This marked a profound, direct divine communication, initiating Moses' prophetic call and commission.

Acts 7 31 Context

Acts 7:31 is part of Stephen's impassioned defense before the Sanhedrin, where he recounts a detailed history of Israel, from Abraham to Solomon. He uses this historical overview to demonstrate God's consistent working with His people, often outside of man-made structures or the established religious order. This specific verse emphasizes God's sovereign call of Moses in the Midian desert, far from the Temple and even the Promised Land, through the extraordinary event of the burning bush. Stephen highlights that God’s presence and revelation are not confined to particular holy sites or human institutions. He is indirectly refuting the accusation that he spoke against the Temple and the Law, by showing that God initiated His covenant relationship and gave the Law through a profound, direct encounter in the wilderness, underlining divine freedom and initiative.

Acts 7 31 Word analysis

• When Moses saw it (ἰδὼν δὲ Μωϋσῆς - idōn de Mōüsēs):
  • `ἰδὼν (idōn)`: A participial form, meaning "having seen" or "when he saw." It signifies direct, personal visual perception and the immediate commencement of an event triggered by sight. Stephen emphasizes Moses' firsthand observation as a foundation for the divine encounter.
  • `Μωϋσῆς (Mōüsēs)`: The Greek transliteration of the Hebrew name "Moses," meaning "drawn out." Moses' identity as the foundational figure for Israel’s Law and nationhood makes this encounter supremely significant.
• he wondered (ἐθαύμασεν - ethaumasen):
  • From `θαυμάζω (thaumazō)`, "to marvel, be astonished, wonder at." This expresses Moses' initial profound awe and bewilderment, indicating the event was clearly supernatural and defied natural explanation, sparking deep curiosity.
• at the sight (τὸ ὅραμα - to horama):
  • `ὅραμα (horama)`: Meaning "a vision, a sight, an appearance." It refers specifically to the visible manifestation of the burning bush, distinct and extraordinary, not a hallucination but a concrete object. This was no ordinary fire.
• and as he drew near to examine (προσερχομένου δὲ αὐτοῦ κατανοῆσαι - proserchomenou de autou katanoēsai):
  • `προσερχομένου (proserchomenou)`: "as he was approaching" or "while he drew near." A participle describing a deliberate movement towards the sight. Moses was not passive; his wonder led to a purposeful advance.
  • `κατανοῆσαι (katanoēsai)`: "to understand fully, observe closely, scrutinize." An infinitive indicating Moses’ intent – he wanted to comprehend why the bush was burning yet not consumed. This reveals a critical, discerning spirit that moved from initial astonishment to thoughtful investigation. This curiosity opened the way for direct communication.
• there came a voice (ἐγένετο φωνὴ - egeneto phōnē):
  • `ἐγένετο (egeneto)`: "it came to pass, it happened, there occurred." Signifies a sudden, divine act. It's an expression emphasizing divine initiative, marking a turning point from visual wonder to audible revelation.
  • `φωνὴ (phōnē)`: "a sound, a voice, an utterance." This denotes clear, audible communication, transforming the silent spectacle into direct, personal address, thus confirming the active presence of a speaking entity.
• of the Lord (Κυρίου - Kyriou):
  • `Κυρίου (Kyriou)`: "of the Lord." Genitive case of `Κύριος (Kyrios)`, the standard Greek word used in the Septuagint to translate the sacred Hebrew name YHWH (Yahweh). This identifies the speaker as the covenant God of Israel, the ultimate authority, imbuing the voice with absolute divine power and authority.

• "When Moses saw it, he wondered at the sight": This phrase describes the initial, overwhelming impact of the supernatural event on Moses. His astonishment isn't fear, but a captivated awe that points to something extraordinary beyond the natural realm, signaling a moment of divine intrusion into human experience.
• "and as he drew near to examine": This phrase captures Moses' crucial responsive action. His deliberate approach is born of intellectual curiosity combined with an implicit sense of reverence, seeking a rational explanation for the irrational sight. This active engagement positioned him for further divine encounter rather than merely observing from a distance.
• "there came a voice of the Lord": This phrase marks the climax and purpose of the visual manifestation. The visible wonder prepared the way for the audible, personal revelation of God Himself. It underscores God's active, intentional initiation of communication, transforming observation into intimate dialogue, setting the stage for Moses' monumental calling. The direct mention of "the Lord" asserts divine identity and ultimate authority behind the encounter.

Acts 7 31 Bonus section

The episode of the burning bush in Acts 7:31, as recounted by Stephen, serves as a significant prefigurement. It is a 'theophany,' a direct and tangible manifestation of God, where God reveals Himself not within a sanctuary built by human hands, but in the desolate wilderness—emphasizing His omnipresence and freedom from human constructs. This challenge to established norms, by placing divine encounter outside conventional "holy places," is crucial to Stephen's polemic against his accusers who were fixated on the Jerusalem Temple. Furthermore, the progression from sight (wonder) to proximity (examination) to sound (voice of the Lord) delineates a divinely guided process of engagement and revelation. This foundational account solidifies God’s practice of personally calling individuals to specific missions, often through experiences that profoundly arrest their attention and invite inquiry, before issuing direct commands.

Acts 7 31 Commentary

Acts 7:31 pinpoints the pivotal intersection of the miraculous and the divine call in Moses' life. God used a spectacular visual, the burning bush, not as an end in itself, but as an irresistible lure to draw Moses' attention. Moses' response, moving from mere wonder to a deliberate investigative approach, exemplifies a receptive heart to God’s leading. This moment confirms that God is not silent but desires to communicate. His voice, emanating directly from the visible manifestation, established the identity and authority of the speaker, the sovereign Lord, initiating the grand narrative of Israel’s deliverance. Stephen employs this incident to illustrate that God’s presence is not confined and that His revelation is often personal and direct, laying the groundwork for greater truths concerning the Messiah.

• Examples: Like Moses, an unexpected event or phenomenon (e.g., a challenging life circumstance, a beautiful sunset, an unexpected act of kindness) can pique our wonder and draw us closer to examine life's deeper spiritual realities. This focused curiosity can often precede a profound sense of God's presence or a clear call to action, just as the voice came to Moses only after he "drew near to examine."