Acts 13:17
The God of this people of Israel chose our fathers, and exalted the people when they dwelt as strangers in the land of Egypt, and with an high arm brought he them out of it.
Original Language Analysis
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεὸς
The God
G2316
θεὸς
The God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
2 of 28
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
λαὸν
people
G2992
λαὸν
people
Strong's:
G2992
Word #:
4 of 28
a people (in general; thus differing from g1218, which denotes one's own populace)
Ἰσραὴλ
of Israel
G2474
Ἰσραὴλ
of Israel
Strong's:
G2474
Word #:
6 of 28
israel (i.e., jisrael), the adopted name of jacob, including his descendants (literally or figuratively)
τοὺς
G3588
τοὺς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πατέρας
fathers
G3962
πατέρας
fathers
Strong's:
G3962
Word #:
9 of 28
a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
11 of 28
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
λαὸν
people
G2992
λαὸν
people
Strong's:
G2992
Word #:
13 of 28
a people (in general; thus differing from g1218, which denotes one's own populace)
τῇ
G3588
τῇ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
16 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
γῇ
the land
G1093
γῇ
the land
Strong's:
G1093
Word #:
19 of 28
soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe (including the occupants in each application)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
21 of 28
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
μετὰ
with
G3326
μετὰ
with
Strong's:
G3326
Word #:
22 of 28
properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)
αὐτῆς
it
G846
αὐτῆς
it
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
26 of 28
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
Historical Context
Paul delivered this sermon around AD 47-48 during his first missionary journey. Speaking in a diaspora synagogue, he follows the synagogue homily pattern: recite salvation history, then apply it christologically. His Gentile audience ("those who fear God," v. 16) needed this redemptive-historical framework to understand Jesus as Israel's promised Messiah and Savior of the world.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Paul's emphasis on God's sovereign election in Israel's history challenge works-based religion?
- In what ways does your own spiritual journey reflect God exalting you 'when you dwelt as a stranger' in bondage to sin?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The God of this people of Israel chose our fathers—Paul begins his synagogue address at Pisidian Antioch by grounding Israel's identity in divine election (ἐξελέξατο, exelexato). This verb emphasizes God's sovereign choice, not human merit—the same election theology Paul develops in Romans 9-11.
Exalted the people when they dwelt as strangers (ὕψωσεν τὸν λαὸν ἐν τῇ παροικίᾳ, hypsōsen ton laon en tē paroikia)—God elevated Israel during their Egyptian oppression, multiplying them despite Pharaoh's genocidal policies (Exodus 1:7-12). With an high arm (μετὰ βραχίονος ὑψηλοῦ, meta brachionos hypselou) recalls the Exodus imagery of God's outstretched arm—divine power overcoming human tyranny. Paul's rehearsal of salvation history will climax in verses 38-39, showing Jesus as the ultimate fulfillment of God's covenant promises to the fathers.