Acts 7:31
When Moses saw it, he wondered at the sight: and as he drew near to behold it, the voice of the Lord came unto him,
Original Language Analysis
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 16
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Μωσῆς
Moses
G3475
Μωσῆς
Moses
Strong's:
G3475
Word #:
3 of 16
moseus, moses, or mouses (i.e., mosheh), the hebrew lawgiver
ἰδὼν
saw
G1492
ἰδὼν
saw
Strong's:
G1492
Word #:
4 of 16
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 16
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὅραμα
at the sight
G3705
ὅραμα
at the sight
Strong's:
G3705
Word #:
7 of 16
something gazed at, i.e., a spectacle (especially supernatural)
προσερχομένου
as he drew near
G4334
προσερχομένου
as he drew near
Strong's:
G4334
Word #:
8 of 16
to approach, i.e., (literally) come near, visit, or (figuratively) worship, assent to
αὐτὸν,
him
G846
αὐτὸν,
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
10 of 16
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
ἐγένετο
came
G1096
ἐγένετο
came
Strong's:
G1096
Word #:
12 of 16
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
φωνὴ
it the voice
G5456
φωνὴ
it the voice
Strong's:
G5456
Word #:
13 of 16
a tone (articulate, bestial or artificial); by implication, an address (for any purpose), saying or language
κυρίου
of the Lord
G2962
κυρίου
of the Lord
Strong's:
G2962
Word #:
14 of 16
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
Historical Context
The unconsumed burning bush may have been an acacia bush, common in the Sinai desert. Fire frequently accompanies divine presence in Scripture (Exodus 19:18; Acts 2:3), signifying God's holiness and purifying power.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the burning bush symbolize Israel's preservation through Egyptian oppression?
- Why does God use visible signs to communicate spiritual realities?
- What draws our attention to God's voice in our daily lives?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Moses' wonder at the burning bush miracle drew him to investigate. The Greek thauma (marvel) indicates astonishment at this supernatural sign - a bush burning yet not consumed, symbolizing Israel's preservation through affliction. God used this wonder to arrest Moses' attention before speaking. Reformed theology notes that God accommodates Himself to human capacity, using visible signs to communicate invisible truths. The voice of the Lord would identify this as holy ground, requiring Moses to remove his shoes in reverence.