Acts 7:19
The same dealt subtilly with our kindred, and evil entreated our fathers, so that they cast out their young children, to the end they might not live.
Original Language Analysis
οὗτος
The same
G3778
οὗτος
The same
Strong's:
G3778
Word #:
1 of 19
the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)
κατασοφισάμενος
dealt subtilly
G2686
κατασοφισάμενος
dealt subtilly
Strong's:
G2686
Word #:
2 of 19
to be crafty against, i.e., circumvent
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
γένος
kindred
G1085
γένος
kindred
Strong's:
G1085
Word #:
4 of 19
"kin" (abstract or concrete, literal or figurative, individual or collective)
τοὺς
G3588
τοὺς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πατέρας
fathers
G3962
πατέρας
fathers
Strong's:
G3962
Word #:
8 of 19
a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ποιεῖν
so that
G4160
ποιεῖν
so that
Strong's:
G4160
Word #:
11 of 19
to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)
τὰ
G3588
τὰ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
βρέφη
young children
G1025
βρέφη
young children
Strong's:
G1025
Word #:
14 of 19
an infant (properly, unborn) literally or figuratively
αὐτῶν
G846
αὐτῶν
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
15 of 19
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
εἰς
to the end
G1519
εἰς
to the end
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
16 of 19
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
17 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Historical Context
Exodus 1:15-22 details Pharaoh's genocidal policy: first commanding Hebrew midwives to kill male infants at birth, then ordering all Hebrew boys cast into the Nile. This combined population control with religious terrorism (the Nile was deified in Egyptian religion). Archaeological evidence shows harsh labor conditions for Semitic slaves in Egypt during this period.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Pharaoh's infanticide reveal Satan's consistent strategy of attacking covenant promises through destroying children?
- What encouragement does God's preservation of Moses despite genocide give us when facing overwhelming opposition?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Pharaoh's 'subtil' dealings (Greek: katasophizomai, outwitting through cunning) reveal satanic opposition to God's covenant people. The evil treatment—forcing Hebrews to cast out infants—represents demonic attack on covenant seed, paralleling Herod's later infanticide targeting Christ. Satan consistently attacks God's promises through destroying covenant children. Yet God's purposes cannot be thwarted; Moses survived, and Israel multiplied despite genocide.