Acts 7:5
And he gave him none inheritance in it, no, not so much as to set his foot on: yet he promised that he would give it to him for a possession, and to his seed after him, when as yet he had no child.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 27
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
δοῦναι
he gave
G1325
δοῦναι
he gave
Strong's:
G1325
Word #:
3 of 27
to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)
αὐτῷ
him
G846
αὐτῷ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
4 of 27
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
κληρονομίαν
inheritance
G2817
κληρονομίαν
inheritance
Strong's:
G2817
Word #:
5 of 27
heirship, i.e., (concretely) a patrimony or (genitive case) a possession
αὐτῷ
him
G846
αὐτῷ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
7 of 27
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
βῆμα
on
G968
βῆμα
on
Strong's:
G968
Word #:
9 of 27
a step, i.e., foot-breath; by implication, a rostrum, i.e., a tribunal
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
11 of 27
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐπηγγείλατο
he promised
G1861
ἐπηγγείλατο
he promised
Strong's:
G1861
Word #:
12 of 27
to announce upon (reflexively), i.e., (by implication) to engage to do something, to assert something respecting oneself
αὐτῷ
him
G846
αὐτῷ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
13 of 27
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
δοῦναι
he gave
G1325
δοῦναι
he gave
Strong's:
G1325
Word #:
14 of 27
to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)
εἰς
for
G1519
εἰς
for
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
15 of 27
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
αὐτῷ
him
G846
αὐτῷ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
17 of 27
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
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
18 of 27
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
19 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
σπέρματι
seed
G4690
σπέρματι
seed
Strong's:
G4690
Word #:
20 of 27
something sown, i.e., seed (including the male "sperm"); by implication, offspring; specially, a remnant (figuratively, as if kept over for planting)
αὐτῷ
him
G846
αὐτῷ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
21 of 27
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
μετ'
after
G3326
μετ'
after
Strong's:
G3326
Word #:
22 of 27
properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)
αὐτῷ
him
G846
αὐτῷ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
23 of 27
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
Cross References
Genesis 17:8And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.Genesis 12:7And the LORD appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land: and there builded he an altar unto the LORD, who appeared unto him.Genesis 13:15For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever.Genesis 15:18In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates:Genesis 26:3Sojourn in this land, and I will be with thee, and will bless thee; for unto thee, and unto thy seed, I will give all these countries, and I will perform the oath which I sware unto Abraham thy father;
Historical Context
Abraham owned only the cave of Machpelah (Genesis 23), purchased as a burial site. His faith was for descendants, not personal possession of the land.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Abraham's faith in promises beyond his lifetime challenge your perspective?
- What are you trusting God for that may benefit future generations more than yourself?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
God gave Abraham 'none inheritance, no, not so much as to set his foot on' - yet promised it to 'his seed after him.' This paradox of promised-but-not-possessed land required generational faith. Abraham trusted God's word beyond his lifetime.