Acts 7:2
And he said, Men, brethren, and fathers, hearken; The God of glory appeared unto our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Charran,
Original Language Analysis
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἔφη
he said
G5346
ἔφη
he said
Strong's:
G5346
Word #:
3 of 27
to show or make known one's thoughts, i.e., speak or say
ἀδελφοὶ
brethren
G80
ἀδελφοὶ
brethren
Strong's:
G80
Word #:
5 of 27
a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like g0001)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
6 of 27
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
πατρὶ
father
G3962
πατρὶ
father
Strong's:
G3962
Word #:
7 of 27
a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)
Ὁ
G3588
Ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεὸς
The God
G2316
θεὸς
The God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
10 of 27
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
δόξης
of glory
G1391
δόξης
of glory
Strong's:
G1391
Word #:
12 of 27
glory (as very apparent), in a wide application (literal or figurative, objective or subjective)
ὤφθη
appeared
G3700
ὤφθη
appeared
Strong's:
G3700
Word #:
13 of 27
to gaze (i.e., with wide-open eyes, as at something remarkable; and thus differing from g0991, which denotes simply voluntary observation; and from g1
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πατρὶ
father
G3962
πατρὶ
father
Strong's:
G3962
Word #:
15 of 27
a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)
τῇ
G3588
τῇ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
20 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Μεσοποταμίᾳ
Mesopotamia
G3318
Μεσοποταμίᾳ
Mesopotamia
Strong's:
G3318
Word #:
21 of 27
mesopotamia (as lying between the euphrates and the tigris; compare h0763), a region of asia
κατοικῆσαι
he dwelt
G2730
κατοικῆσαι
he dwelt
Strong's:
G2730
Word #:
24 of 27
to house permanently, i.e., reside (literally or figuratively)
Cross References
Acts 22:1Men, brethren, and fathers, hear ye my defence which I make now unto you.Genesis 11:31And Terah took Abram his son, and Lot the son of Haran his son's son, and Sarai his daughter in law, his son Abram's wife; and they went forth with them from Ur of the Chaldees, to go into the land of Canaan; and they came unto Haran, and dwelt there.Psalms 29:3The voice of the LORD is upon the waters: the God of glory thundereth: the LORD is upon many waters.Hebrews 1:3Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;Nehemiah 9:7Thou art the LORD the God, who didst choose Abram, and broughtest him forth out of Ur of the Chaldees, and gavest him the name of Abraham;John 1:14And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.Genesis 15:7And he said unto him, I am the LORD that brought thee out of Ur of the Chaldees, to give thee this land to inherit it.
Historical Context
Genesis 11:31-12:1 records Abraham's call, which Stephen dates to Ur, before Haran. Some see two calls; Stephen emphasizes God's sovereign initiative in choosing Abraham.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's initiative in calling Abraham inform your understanding of salvation?
- What does 'the God of glory' reveal about who initiated the covenant?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Stephen addresses them as 'Men, brethren, and fathers' - respectful terms despite their hostility. 'The God of glory appeared unto our father Abraham' emphasizes God's initiative in revelation. The phrase 'before he dwelt in Charran' notes Abraham's obedience began before settling in Haran.