Acts 7 39

Acts 7:39 kjv

To whom our fathers would not obey, but thrust him from them, and in their hearts turned back again into Egypt,

Acts 7:39 nkjv

whom our fathers would not obey, but rejected. And in their hearts they turned back to Egypt,

Acts 7:39 niv

"But our ancestors refused to obey him. Instead, they rejected him and in their hearts turned back to Egypt.

Acts 7:39 esv

Our fathers refused to obey him, but thrust him aside, and in their hearts they turned to Egypt,

Acts 7:39 nlt

"But our ancestors refused to listen to Moses. They rejected him and wanted to return to Egypt.

Acts 7 verses

Acts 7 39 Meaning

Acts 7:39 reveals the Israelites' profound and wilful disobedience to Moses in the wilderness, equating their rejection of God's appointed leader with a spiritual desire to return to the oppressive and idolatrous ways of Egypt. It describes an internal betrayal and a deliberate casting off of God's authority, rooted in the very core of their being. This verse, part of Stephen's historical recounting, underscores a pervasive pattern of rebellion against God and His messengers throughout Israel's history.

Acts 7 39 Context

Acts chapter 7 contains Stephen's impassioned sermon delivered before the Sanhedrin, who had accused him of blasphemy against Moses, the Law, and the Temple. Stephen's defense is a panoramic historical overview of Israel, stretching from Abraham to Solomon. Far from blaspheming, Stephen demonstrates a deep understanding and reverence for Israel's covenant history. However, his sermon systematically highlights a consistent theme: Israel's repeated rebellion and disobedience towards God and His appointed deliverers and prophets, from Moses onwards. Acts 7:39 specifically refers to the generation freed from Egypt. Stephen points out the stark irony that while Moses led them by divine mandate, they rejected him and yearned for their past bondage in Egypt, effectively rejecting God's deliverance and plans. This historical narrative builds to a sharp polemic, implicating his current audience, the Jewish leaders, in the same pattern of resistance to God's ultimate messenger, Jesus the Messiah.

Acts 7 39 Word analysis

• To whom: (Gk: hō) Refers directly to Moses from the preceding verse (Acts 7:38). Stephen emphasizes the target of their disobedience was God's divinely appointed leader.
• our fathers: (Gk: hoi pateres hēmōn) Stephen, though one of the Jews, here subtly distances himself to critique the historical actions, emphasizing a generational pattern of collective rebellion inherent within the ancestry of his listeners. It highlights the historical continuity of Israel's spiritual failings.
• would not obey: (Gk: ouk ēthelēsan hypēkooi genesthai) A powerful statement combining negation (ouk = not), wilful refusal (ēthelēsan = they desired not/were unwilling), and failure to be obedient (hypēkooi genesthai = to be obedient/to hear under). This was not mere forgetfulness or inability, but a deliberate, conscious, and volitional choice to reject authority and disregard divine instruction.
• but thrust him from them: (Gk: alla apōsanto) The strong conjunction alla ("but") marks a stark contrast to any potential expectation of obedience. Apōsanto ("they thrust away," "they rejected") is a forceful verb, indicating an active, violent, and disdainful casting off. It denotes a decisive and contemptuous repudiation, not simply ignoring but aggressively rejecting Moses' leadership.
• and in their hearts: (Gk: kai en tais kardiais autōn) The "heart" in biblical terms is the seat of intellect, will, emotion, and the entire inner person. This phrase underscores that their rebellion was not merely superficial or external action but deeply rooted in their inner disposition, their desires, and their core spiritual identity. Their longing for Egypt stemmed from a corrupted inner man.
• turned back again into Egypt: (Gk: epestraphēsan eis Aigypton) The verb epestraphēsan signifies a literal "turning back" or a "reverting." The specific direction "into Egypt" is profoundly significant. Egypt symbolized the world system, slavery, and idolatry from which God had miraculously delivered them. Their desire to return was a spiritual act of apostasy, preferring the perceived security of bondage and the familiar paganism over the demanding path of covenant faithfulness and freedom in the Promised Land. This represented a fundamental spiritual regression and an ungrateful rejection of divine redemption.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "To whom our fathers would not obey, but thrust him from them": This phrase meticulously details the Israelite's rebellious attitude. It shows their conscious refusal and deliberate act of casting off God's representative, Moses. This underscores the intentional nature of their defiance and forms a foundational parallel for Stephen to later accuse his contemporary Jewish audience of a similar rejection of God's ultimate Messenger, Jesus.
• "and in their hearts turned back again into Egypt": This profound phrase uncovers the true depth of their spiritual problem. Their physical movements in the wilderness were driven by an internal spiritual defection. "In their hearts" emphasizes that the core of their being desired to return to the former bondage, symbolizing a yearning for sin and idolatry rather than embracing the freedom and spiritual journey God had provided. This internal corruption manifested in their outward actions and rejection of divine guidance.

Acts 7 39 Bonus section

• The Polemical Context: Stephen's recounting of this historical rebellion is highly polemical. He is speaking directly to the Sanhedrin, Jewish leaders who prided themselves on their adherence to the Law given through Moses. By detailing how "their fathers" (implying spiritual lineage) rejected Moses and longed for Egypt, Stephen challenges their claims of faithfulness and righteousness. He indirectly asserts that their present rejection of Jesus follows this ancient, ungodly pattern, demonstrating a continuous "stiff-necked" disposition (Acts 7:51).
• Typological Significance: Moses serves as a significant type of Christ throughout the Old Testament and specifically in Stephen's sermon (Acts 7:37 speaks of "a Prophet like me"). The rejection of Moses by Israel, despite all the signs and wonders, foreshadows and typologically parallels the Jewish nation's rejection of Jesus, the ultimate Prophet and Messiah, even after witnessing His signs and wonders. Similarly, "Egypt" functions typologically as a symbol of the world, sin, and bondage from which God delivers His people. The Israelites' desire to return to Egypt symbolizes a spiritual regression back to the dominion of sin or worldly comforts, forsaking the freedom and divine path.
• The Irony of Veneration: The irony embedded in Stephen's historical narrative is palpable. The very people who venerated Moses, claiming to be his followers and keepers of the Law he delivered, were spiritual descendants of those who, in their hearts, rejected him and God's liberating plan by desiring a return to slavery. This stark contradiction serves to expose the hypocrisy of Stephen's accusers.

Acts 7 39 Commentary

Acts 7:39 captures a pivotal aspect of Stephen's sermon: the chronic rebellion of Israel, culminating in their rejection of God's appointed messengers. Stephen strategically highlights that the Israelites in the wilderness not only failed to obey Moses—God's direct representative—but actively scorned and cast him aside. Crucially, this outward rejection stemmed from a deeper, internal issue: their hearts yearned to return to Egypt, a place of bondage and idolatry. This wasn't merely homesickness but a spiritual apostasy, preferring the "flesh-pots" and false security of the past to the journey of faith towards God's promises. Stephen uses this historical precedent to deliver a scathing indictment against his contemporary audience, the Sanhedrin, subtly implying that their rejection of Jesus is a continuation of this age-old pattern of spurning God's ultimate deliverer. The verse therefore serves as a powerful historical mirror, reflecting Israel's inherent spiritual recalcitrance and unwillingness to submit to divine authority, regardless of the miracles witnessed. It underscores that true faith involves heart-felt obedience and unwavering commitment, rather than a longing for the world's false comforts.