Acts 17:26
And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;
Original Language Analysis
ἐποίησέν
hath made
G4160
ἐποίησέν
hath made
Strong's:
G4160
Word #:
1 of 24
to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)
ἐξ
of
G1537
ἐξ
of
Strong's:
G1537
Word #:
3 of 24
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
αἵματός
blood
G129
αἵματός
blood
Strong's:
G129
Word #:
5 of 24
blood, literally (of men or animals), figuratively (the juice of grapes) or specially (the atoning blood of christ); by implication, bloodshed, also k
ἔθνος
nations
G1484
ἔθνος
nations
Strong's:
G1484
Word #:
7 of 24
a race (as of the same habit), i.e., a tribe; specially, a foreign (non-jewish) one (usually, by implication, pagan)
κατοικεῖν
for to dwell
G2730
κατοικεῖν
for to dwell
Strong's:
G2730
Word #:
9 of 24
to house permanently, i.e., reside (literally or figuratively)
ἐπὶ
on
G1909
ἐπὶ
on
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
10 of 24
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
προσώπον
the face
G4383
προσώπον
the face
Strong's:
G4383
Word #:
13 of 24
the front (as being towards view), i.e., the countenance, aspect, appearance, surface; by implication, presence, person
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
γῆς
of the earth
G1093
γῆς
of the earth
Strong's:
G1093
Word #:
15 of 24
soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe (including the occupants in each application)
ὁρίσας
and hath determined
G3724
ὁρίσας
and hath determined
Strong's:
G3724
Word #:
16 of 24
to mark out or bound ("horizon"), i.e., (figuratively) to appoint, decree, specify
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
19 of 24
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τὰς
G3588
τὰς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
20 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὁροθεσίας
the bounds
G3734
ὁροθεσίας
the bounds
Strong's:
G3734
Word #:
21 of 24
a limit-placing, i.e., (concretely) boundary-line
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
22 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Genesis 3:20And Adam called his wife's name Eve; because she was the mother of all living.Malachi 2:10Have we not all one father? hath not one God created us? why do we deal treacherously every man against his brother, by profaning the covenant of our fathers?1 Corinthians 15:22For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.1 Corinthians 15:47The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven.Psalms 31:15My times are in thy hand: deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me.Job 14:5Seeing his days are determined, the number of his months are with thee, thou hast appointed his bounds that he cannot pass;Job 12:23He increaseth the nations, and destroyeth them: he enlargeth the nations, and straiteneth them again.Genesis 9:19These are the three sons of Noah: and of them was the whole earth overspread.Daniel 11:35And some of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make them white, even to the time of the end: because it is yet for a time appointed.
Historical Context
Paul delivered this sermon on the Areopagus (Mars Hill) in Athens around AD 50-51, addressing both Stoic and Epicurean philosophers (Acts 17:18). Athens prided itself on cultural superiority and autochthonous origin. Paul's declaration of common descent and divine sovereignty over nations directly confronted Greek philosophical assumptions about racial hierarchy, fate, and the gods' relationship to humanity.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the truth that all humanity shares 'one blood' challenge modern forms of racial or ethnic pride?
- In what ways do you see God's sovereignty in 'appointed times and boundaries' working through current geopolitical realities?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And hath made of one blood all nations of men (ἐξ ἑνὸς αἵματος πᾶν ἔθνος, ex henos haimatos pan ethnos)—Paul declares the fundamental unity of humanity from a single origin. The Greek ex henos ('from one') affirms monogenesis, refuting both Greek theories of racial superiority and any hierarchy among nations. This devastates the Athenian pride in autochthony (belief they sprang from Attic soil).
Hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation (ὁρίσας προστεταγμένους καιροὺς καὶ τὰς ὁροθεσίας, horisas prostetagmenous kairous kai tas horothesias)—God's sovereignty extends to human history and geography. Prostetagmenous kairous ('appointed seasons') refers to the rise and fall of civilizations, while horothesias ('boundaries') indicates territorial limits. Paul presents divine providence governing nations, not blind fate or human autonomy—a direct challenge to Stoic determinism and Epicurean randomness.