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 31 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Exodus 3:2 | the angel of the Lord appeared to him | Ex. 3:2 (angelic appearance) |
| Exodus 3:4 | God called to him out of the bush | Ex. 3:4 (direct divine call) |
| Isaiah 63:9 | in all their affliction he was afflicted | Isa. 63:9 (divine empathy) |
| John 8:58 | Before Abraham was, I AM | John 8:58 (Jesus' eternal nature) |
| Hebrews 1:3 | upholding the universe by his word | Heb. 1:3 (Christ's divine glory) |
| Hebrews 11:8 | By faith Abraham obeyed when called | Heb. 11:8 (obedience to divine call) |
| Acts 7:30 | an angel of the Lord in a flame of fire | Acts 7:30 (preceding mention) |
| Acts 7:32 | the God of your fathers | Acts 7:32 (God of the patriarchs) |
| Ps 132:11 | the Lord swore to David | Ps. 132:11 (God's oath to David) |
| Jer 1:4 | the word of the Lord came to me | Jer. 1:4 (divine commission) |
| Acts 7:33 | the voice of the Lord came to him | Acts 7:33 (divine voice) |
| Acts 7:34 | I have surely seen my affliction | Acts 7:34 (God's observation) |
| Acts 7:35 | God sent as ruler and redeemer | Acts 7:35 (God's provision) |
| Acts 7:36 | brought them out, doing wonders | Acts 7:36 (divine deliverance) |
| Acts 7:38 | in the wilderness with the angel | Acts 7:38 (angel's role with Israel) |
| Heb 2:2 | spoken through angels | Heb. 2:2 (ministry of angels) |
| Deut 18:15 | a prophet from your midst... to him | Deut. 18:15 (promise of a prophet) |
| John 1:14 | the Word became flesh | John 1:14 (incarnation of the Word) |
| Rom 10:14 | How then will they call on him | Rom. 10:14 (calling on God) |
| Gal 3:19 | instituted through angels | Gal. 3:19 (law given via angels) |
| Ex 23:20 | I will send an angel before you | Ex. 23:20 (angel leading Israel) |
| Zech 1:12 | has wept and comforted us | Zech. 1:12 (God's mercy) |
| Acts 1:16 | the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand | Acts 1:16 (Spirit's prophetic voice) |
Acts 7 verses
Acts 7 31 Meaning
The Lord appeared to Moses.
Acts 7 31 Context
This verse is part of Stephen's defense speech before the Sanhedrin in Acts chapter 7. He is recounting the history of Israel, focusing on God's faithfulness and the repeated rejection of His messengers by the people. Stephen emphasizes that the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob appeared to Moses, highlighting God's persistent presence and intervention in the lives of the patriarchs and their descendants. This introduction sets the stage for Stephen to connect Israel's past rebellions to the present rejection of Jesus Christ by his accusers. The immediate context is Stephen describing God's appearance to Moses at the burning bush in the land of Midian.
Acts 7 31 Word Analysis
- And (Greek: καί - kai): A common conjunction, linking phrases or clauses. Here, it connects the previous statement about the angel to the Lord's appearance.
- the (Greek: ὁ - ho): The definite article, specifying "Lord."
- Lord (Greek: Κύριος - Kyrios): A title signifying sovereignty and authority. In the Septuagint and the New Testament, it often translates the Hebrew Yahweh, referring to God Himself.
- appeared (Greek: ὤφθη - ophthe): Aorist passive indicative of the verb ὀράω (horaō), meaning "to see" or "to appear." In the passive, it means "was seen" or "appeared." This indicates a manifestation of God's presence to Moses.
- to (Greek: πρός - pros): A preposition indicating direction or motion towards.
- Moses (Greek: Μωυσῇ - Mōysē): The Greek form of the Hebrew name Moses.
Word Group Analysis:
- "the Lord appeared": This phrase signifies a direct manifestation of God's presence. In the Old Testament, divine appearances were significant events, often marked by a voice, a vision, or a consuming fire, confirming God's covenantal relationship and active involvement. This language is consistent with God revealing Himself to His chosen instruments.
Acts 7 31 Bonus Section
Stephen here affirms that it was the "Lord" who appeared to Moses. While Acts 7:30 mentions an "angel of the Lord" appearing in the flame of fire, verse 31 clarifies the identity of this divine messenger as the Lord Himself. This usage of "Kyrios" (Lord) is significant, as it points to the divine nature of the one who interacted with Moses. Many scholars suggest Stephen is implicitly referring to the pre-incarnate Christ, the divine "Angel of the Lord," a theme explored in various Old Testament passages and further elaborated in New Testament theology, particularly concerning the identification of Jesus as "I AM." The experience of Moses was a prelude to God's ultimate appearance in human form through Jesus Christ, fulfilling the promise of redemption.
Acts 7 31 Commentary
Stephen uses "the Lord" (Kyrios) to identify God, underscoring His ultimate authority. The verb "appeared" (ophthe) points to a tangible manifestation of God's glory and presence. This direct appearance to Moses at the burning bush is a foundational event in Israel's history, initiating God's deliverance from Egypt and the establishment of the covenant. Stephen highlights this as the Lord, not just an angel as mentioned in the previous verse, appearing to Moses. This assertion is crucial for Stephen's argument, identifying the divine entity that called Moses and commissioned him to lead Israel. This event sets a pattern for God's leadership and interaction with His people.