Acts 7:25
For he supposed his brethren would have understood how that God by his hand would deliver them: but they understood not.
Original Language Analysis
ἐνόμιζεν
he supposed
G3543
ἐνόμιζεν
he supposed
Strong's:
G3543
Word #:
1 of 19
properly, to do by law (usage), i.e., to accustom (passively, be usual); by extension, to deem or regard
συνῆκαν
they understood
G4920
συνῆκαν
they understood
Strong's:
G4920
Word #:
3 of 19
to put together, i.e., (mentally) to comprehend; by implication, to act piously
τοὺς
G3588
τοὺς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀδελφοὺς
brethren
G80
ἀδελφοὺς
brethren
Strong's:
G80
Word #:
5 of 19
a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like g0001)
αὐτοῖς·
his
G846
αὐτοῖς·
his
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
6 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
ὅτι
how
G3754
ὅτι
how
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
7 of 19
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεὸς
that God
G2316
θεὸς
that God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
9 of 19
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
διὰ
by
G1223
διὰ
by
Strong's:
G1223
Word #:
10 of 19
through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
χειρὸς
hand
G5495
χειρὸς
hand
Strong's:
G5495
Word #:
11 of 19
the hand (literally or figuratively (power); especially (by hebraism) a means or instrument)
αὐτοῖς·
his
G846
αὐτοῖς·
his
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
12 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
δίδωσιν
would deliver
G1325
δίδωσιν
would deliver
Strong's:
G1325
Word #:
13 of 19
to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)
αὐτοῖς·
his
G846
αὐτοῖς·
his
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
14 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
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
16 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Historical Context
This rejection began Moses' forty years as a shepherd in Midian, a period of humbling that prepared him for servant leadership. God often uses rejection and exile to refine those He calls to great service.
Questions for Reflection
- Why does God often allow His chosen deliverers to experience rejection before vindication?
- How does Israel's failure to recognize Moses prefigure their rejection of Christ?
- What does this teach about the necessity of divine illumination for spiritual recognition?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Stephen highlights Moses' mistaken assumption that Israel would recognize God's deliverance through him. This mirrors Israel's later rejection of Christ - God's ultimate Deliverer whom they failed to recognize (John 1:11). The Reformed perspective sees God's electing grace working despite human blindness; Moses' brethren could not perceive what God had not yet revealed. Recognition of God's messengers depends on God opening eyes, not human perception alone.