Acts 7:30
And when forty years were expired, there appeared to him in the wilderness of mount Sina an angel of the Lord in a flame of fire in a bush.
Original Language Analysis
Καὶ
And
G2532
Καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 18
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
πληρωθέντων
were expired
G4137
πληρωθέντων
were expired
Strong's:
G4137
Word #:
2 of 18
to make replete, i.e., (literally) to cram (a net), level up (a hollow), or (figuratively) to furnish (or imbue, diffuse, influence), satisfy, execute
ὤφθη
there appeared
G3700
ὤφθη
there appeared
Strong's:
G3700
Word #:
5 of 18
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
αὐτῷ
to him
G846
αὐτῷ
to him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
6 of 18
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
τῇ
G3588
τῇ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐρήμῳ
the wilderness
G2048
ἐρήμῳ
the wilderness
Strong's:
G2048
Word #:
9 of 18
lonesome, i.e., (by implication) waste (usually as a noun, g5561 being implied)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἄγγελος
an angel
G32
ἄγγελος
an angel
Strong's:
G32
Word #:
13 of 18
compare g0034) (to bring tidings); a messenger; especially an "angel"; by implication, a pastor
Κυρίου
of the Lord
G2962
Κυρίου
of the Lord
Strong's:
G2962
Word #:
14 of 18
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
Cross References
Isaiah 43:2When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.Acts 7:35This Moses whom they refused, saying, Who made thee a ruler and a judge? the same did God send to be a ruler and a deliverer by the hand of the angel which appeared to him in the bush.Isaiah 63:9In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old.Acts 7:32Saying, I am the God of thy fathers, the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. Then Moses trembled, and durst not behold.Acts 7:17But when the time of the promise drew nigh, which God had sworn to Abraham, the people grew and multiplied in Egypt,Psalms 66:12Thou hast caused men to ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water: but thou broughtest us out into a wealthy place.Mark 12:26And as touching the dead, that they rise: have ye not read in the book of Moses, how in the bush God spake unto him, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob?Exodus 3:6Moreover he said, I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. And Moses hid his face; for he was afraid to look upon God.Exodus 7:7And Moses was fourscore years old, and Aaron fourscore and three years old, when they spake unto Pharaoh.Deuteronomy 4:20But the LORD hath taken you, and brought you forth out of the iron furnace, even out of Egypt, to be unto him a people of inheritance, as ye are this day.
Historical Context
Mount Sinai (also called Horeb) is traditionally identified with Jebel Musa in the southern Sinai Peninsula. This theophany occurred circa 1446 BC, marking the beginning of Moses' eighty-year ministry as deliverer and lawgiver.
Questions for Reflection
- Why did God wait exactly forty years before revealing Himself to Moses?
- What is the significance of the Angel of the LORD appearing rather than God directly?
- How does God's perfect timing in calling Moses encourage us in seasons of waiting?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
After forty years, God's timing arrived. The 'angel of the LORD' appeared in the burning bush - understood in Reformed theology as a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ (Christophany). God's sovereign election is seen in choosing this specific time, place, and means to call Moses. The wilderness of Mount Sinai would become the location of covenant-giving, linking Moses' call to his future ministry. Divine initiative, not human readiness, determines the moment of calling.