Acts 13:19
And when he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Chanaan, he divided their land to them by lot.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 12
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
καθελὼν
when he had destroyed
G2507
καθελὼν
when he had destroyed
Strong's:
G2507
Word #:
2 of 12
to lower (or with violence) demolish (literally or figuratively)
ἔθνη
nations
G1484
ἔθνη
nations
Strong's:
G1484
Word #:
3 of 12
a race (as of the same habit), i.e., a tribe; specially, a foreign (non-jewish) one (usually, by implication, pagan)
γῆν
land
G1093
γῆν
land
Strong's:
G1093
Word #:
6 of 12
soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe (including the occupants in each application)
Χανάαν
of Chanaan
G5477
Χανάαν
of Chanaan
Strong's:
G5477
Word #:
7 of 12
chanaan (i.e., kenaan), the early name of palestine
κατεκληροδότησεν
by lot
G2624
κατεκληροδότησεν
by lot
Strong's:
G2624
Word #:
8 of 12
to be a giver of lots to each, i.e., (by implication) to apportion an estate
αὐτῶν
their
G846
αὐτῶν
their
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
9 of 12
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
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 12
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Deuteronomy 7:1When the LORD thy God shall bring thee into the land whither thou goest to possess it, and hath cast out many nations before thee, the Hittites, and the Girgashites, and the Amorites, and the Canaanites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, seven nations greater and mightier than thou;Psalms 78:55He cast out the heathen also before them, and divided them an inheritance by line, and made the tribes of Israel to dwell in their tents.Acts 7:45Which also our fathers that came after brought in with Jesus into the possession of the Gentiles, whom God drave out before the face of our fathers, unto the days of David;Joshua 14:1And these are the countries which the children of Israel inherited in the land of Canaan, which Eleazar the priest, and Joshua the son of Nun, and the heads of the fathers of the tribes of the children of Israel, distributed for inheritance to them.Joshua 19:51These are the inheritances, which Eleazar the priest, and Joshua the son of Nun, and the heads of the fathers of the tribes of the children of Israel, divided for an inheritance by lot in Shiloh before the LORD, at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. So they made an end of dividing the country.
Historical Context
Paul delivered this sermon in the synagogue at Pisidian Antioch during his first missionary journey (c. AD 47-48). Speaking to Jews and God-fearing Gentiles, he traces Israel's history from the Exodus to David, establishing continuity between God's past faithfulness and the gospel. The conquest and settlement of Canaan (c. 1406-1375 BC) was foundational to Jewish identity as the fulfillment of the Abrahamic covenant.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises to Israel strengthen your confidence in His promises to you through Christ?
- What does the "casting down" of seven nations reveal about God's power to remove obstacles to His redemptive purposes in your life?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And when he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Chanaan—Paul references the conquest of Canaan, recounting God's redemptive acts in Israel's history. The "seven nations" (Greek: ἔθνη ἑπτά, ethnē hepta) recalls Deuteronomy 7:1, where God lists the Canaanites, Hittites, Girgashites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites. The verb destroyed (καθελών, kathelōn) means "to cast down" or "overthrow," emphasizing God's sovereign power in removing obstacles to His covenant promises.
He divided their land to them by lot (κατεκληρονόμησεν, kateklēronomēsen)—This compound verb literally means "to distribute as an inheritance." Paul highlights God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promise to Abraham (Genesis 15:18-21). The "lot" system (Joshua 14-19) demonstrated divine sovereignty in the land distribution, not human merit. This historical recitation in Paul's Antioch sermon establishes that salvation history flows from God's initiative, preparing his audience to receive Jesus as the culmination of these promises.