Acts Chapter 12 · Verse 19
And when Herod had sought for him, and found him not, he examined the keepers, and commanded that they should be put to death. And he went down from Judaea to Caesarea, and there abode.
Original Language Analysis
ἐπιζητήσας
had sought for
G1934
ἐπιζητήσας
had sought for
Strong's:
G1934
Word #:
3 of 21
to search (inquire) for; intensively, to demand, to crave
αὐτὸν
him
G846
αὐτὸν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
4 of 21
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
5 of 21
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
μὴ
not
G3361
μὴ
not
Strong's:
G3361
Word #:
6 of 21
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
ἀνακρίνας
he examined
G350
ἀνακρίνας
he examined
Strong's:
G350
Word #:
8 of 21
properly, to scrutinize, i.e., (by implication) investigate, interrogate, determine
τοὺς
G3588
τοὺς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀπαχθῆναι
that they should be put to death
G520
ἀπαχθῆναι
that they should be put to death
Strong's:
G520
Word #:
12 of 21
to take off (in various senses)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
13 of 21
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
κατελθὼν
he went down
G2718
κατελθὼν
he went down
Strong's:
G2718
Word #:
14 of 21
to come (or go) down (literally or figuratively)
ἀπὸ
from
G575
ἀπὸ
from
Strong's:
G575
Word #:
15 of 21
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
16 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰουδαίας
Judaea
G2449
Ἰουδαίας
Judaea
Strong's:
G2449
Word #:
17 of 21
the judaean land (i.e., judaea), a region of palestine
εἰς
to
G1519
εἰς
to
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
18 of 21
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
19 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Historical Context
Seven nations (Deuteronomy 7:1—Hittites, Girgashites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, Jebusites) represent complete conquest. Destroyed (Greek: kathaireo) means demolished/overthrew. Divided by lot (Joshua 13-19) ensured fair distribution. Paul's reference around 48 CE reminded hearers of God's faithfulness fulfilling ancient promises. The conquest typologically foreshadowed Christ conquering spiritual enemies and giving inheritance to His people.
Questions for Reflection
- How does conquest demonstrate both divine judgment and covenant faithfulness?
- What does complete victory teach about God's thorough redemption?
- In what ways does land inheritance foreshadow spiritual inheritance in Christ?
- Why recount conquest when preaching gospel centuries later?
- What does fulfilling ancient promises reveal about God's reliability?
Analysis & Commentary
And when he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Chanaan, he divided their land to them by lot. The Canaanite conquest's recounting emphasizes God's judgment on wickedness while fulfilling covenant promises to Abraham's descendants.