Acts 7:33
Then said the Lord to him, Put off thy shoes from thy feet: for the place where thou standest is holy ground.
Original Language Analysis
αὐτῷ
to him
G846
αὐτῷ
to him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
3 of 20
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
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κύριος
the Lord
G2962
κύριος
the Lord
Strong's:
G2962
Word #:
5 of 20
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὑπόδημα
thy shoes
G5266
ὑπόδημα
thy shoes
Strong's:
G5266
Word #:
8 of 20
something bound under the feet, i.e., a shoe or sandal
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
γὰρ
for
G1063
γὰρ
for
Strong's:
G1063
Word #:
13 of 20
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
τόπος
the place
G5117
τόπος
the place
Strong's:
G5117
Word #:
14 of 20
a spot (general in space, but limited by occupancy; whereas g5561 is a large but participle locality), i.e., location (as a position, home, tract, etc
ᾧ
G3739
ᾧ
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
16 of 20
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
ἕστηκας
thou standest
G2476
ἕστηκας
thou standest
Strong's:
G2476
Word #:
17 of 20
to stand (transitively or intransitively), used in various applications (literally or figuratively)
γῆ
ground
G1093
γῆ
ground
Strong's:
G1093
Word #:
18 of 20
soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe (including the occupants in each application)
Cross References
Exodus 3:5And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground.Joshua 5:15And the captain of the LORD'S host said unto Joshua, Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest is holy. And Joshua did so.2 Peter 1:18And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.Ecclesiastes 5:1Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil.
Historical Context
Removing shoes when approaching sacred space was common in ancient Near Eastern cultures. This practice continues in some Eastern religious traditions. For Israel, it established a pattern of reverent approach to God's presence, later formalized in tabernacle and temple worship.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the command to remove shoes teach us about approaching God in worship?
- What makes something or someone 'holy' in biblical terms?
- In what ways should recognition of God's holiness affect our daily conduct?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
God commands Moses to remove his sandals because of the holy ground, sanctified by divine presence. This act of removing footwear symbolized reverence, humility, and acknowledgment of unworthiness before God's holiness. The ground itself was not inherently holy but made holy by God's presence. Reformed theology emphasizes that holiness derives from God alone - objects, places, and people are holy only as God consecrates them. This command taught Moses that approaching God requires recognition of His transcendent holiness.