Acts 7:6
And God spake on this wise, That his seed should sojourn in a strange land; and that they should bring them into bondage, and entreat them evil four hundred years.
Original Language Analysis
οὕτως
on this wise
G3779
οὕτως
on this wise
Strong's:
G3779
Word #:
3 of 21
in this way (referring to what precedes or follows)
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεὸς
God
G2316
θεὸς
God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
5 of 21
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
ὅτι
That
G3754
ὅτι
That
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
6 of 21
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
σπέρμα
seed
G4690
σπέρμα
seed
Strong's:
G4690
Word #:
9 of 21
something sown, i.e., seed (including the male "sperm"); by implication, offspring; specially, a remnant (figuratively, as if kept over for planting)
αὐτὸ
his
G846
αὐτὸ
his
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
10 of 21
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
πάροικον
sojourn
G3941
πάροικον
sojourn
Strong's:
G3941
Word #:
11 of 21
having a home near, i.e., (as noun) a by-dweller (alien resident)
γῇ
land
G1093
γῇ
land
Strong's:
G1093
Word #:
13 of 21
soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe (including the occupants in each application)
ἀλλοτρίᾳ
a strange
G245
ἀλλοτρίᾳ
a strange
Strong's:
G245
Word #:
14 of 21
another's, i.e., not one's own; by extension foreign, not akin, hostile
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
15 of 21
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
αὐτὸ
his
G846
αὐτὸ
his
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
17 of 21
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 21
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Cross References
Genesis 15:13And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not their's, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years;Galatians 3:17And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect.
Historical Context
The 400 years (round number; Exodus 12:40 says 430) of Egyptian bondage fulfilled this prophecy. Stephen reminds his audience that suffering preceded Israel's possession of the land.
Questions for Reflection
- How does knowing God foresees and purposes through suffering affect your response to hardship?
- What does this teach about the relationship between divine promise and present difficulty?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
God prophesied that Abraham's seed would be 'strangers in a land that is not theirs' for four hundred years. The prediction of affliction before inheritance shows God's plan includes suffering before glory. Divine foreknowledge of difficulty doesn't prevent but purposes through it.