Acts 7:29
Then fled Moses at this saying, and was a stranger in the land of Madian, where he begat two sons.
Original Language Analysis
ἔφυγεν
fled
G5343
ἔφυγεν
fled
Strong's:
G5343
Word #:
1 of 17
to run away (literally or figuratively); by implication, to shun; by analogy, to vanish
Μωσῆς
Moses
G3475
Μωσῆς
Moses
Strong's:
G3475
Word #:
3 of 17
moseus, moses, or mouses (i.e., mosheh), the hebrew lawgiver
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
λόγῳ
saying
G3056
λόγῳ
saying
Strong's:
G3056
Word #:
6 of 17
something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension, a
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
8 of 17
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐγένετο
was
G1096
ἐγένετο
was
Strong's:
G1096
Word #:
9 of 17
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
πάροικος
a stranger
G3941
πάροικος
a stranger
Strong's:
G3941
Word #:
10 of 17
having a home near, i.e., (as noun) a by-dweller (alien resident)
γῇ
the land
G1093
γῇ
the land
Strong's:
G1093
Word #:
12 of 17
soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe (including the occupants in each application)
ἐγέννησεν
he begat
G1080
ἐγέννησεν
he begat
Strong's:
G1080
Word #:
15 of 17
to procreate (properly, of the father, but by extension of the mother); figuratively, to regenerate
Historical Context
Midian was east of the Gulf of Aqaba, descended from Abraham through Keturah (Genesis 25:2). Moses married Zipporah, daughter of Jethro the Midianite priest, integrating into this pastoral society for forty years (circa 1486-1446 BC).
Questions for Reflection
- How did Moses' identity as a 'stranger' prepare him to lead Israel, themselves strangers in Egypt?
- What role does exile and displacement play in God's preparation of His servants?
- In what ways are all believers called to be 'strangers and pilgrims' (1 Peter 2:11)?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Moses' flight to Midian marks a crucial transition from self-confident Egyptian prince to humble shepherd. The term 'stranger' (Greek paroikos, sojourner) became Moses' identity - he named his son Gershom meaning 'stranger there.' Reformed theology sees God's providence in this exile: Moses needed to become a stranger and sojourner to identify with Israel's condition and to learn dependence on God alone. His two sons represented both his alien status (Gershom) and God's help (Eliezer).