Acts 7
Dort1 Stephen defending himself before the Councill, relates how God had brought Abraham out of Chaldea, made a Covenant with him and his seed, and promised them the Land of Canaan. 9 That Joseph was sold into Egypt, and there made a Prince, 11 and that Jacob because of dearth, with his progeny went thither and died there, 17 How his posterity multiplied, and were cruelly handled there, 20 How Moses was borne, cast out, and by the daughter of Pharoah taken up and educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, 23 That he visiteth his brethren and smote the Egyptian which wronged one of them; 27 with which he was upbraided, 29 and therefore fled into Madiam, 30 where God appeared to him in a burning thorn-bush, and sendeth him into Egypt to deliver the people, 37 who prophecyteth of Christ, 38 and receiveth the Law. 39 How the golden calf was made, and Idolatry committed therewith, as also with Moloch. 44 How the Tabernacle was set up, and remained among them until the time of Solomon, who built the Temple, 51 further upbraideth them that they are like unto their fathers in stiffneckedness and cruelty, 54 Wherefore they are embittered against him, and stone him: but he seeing the heaven open, commendeth his soul unto Christ, prayeth for them, and falls asleep.
1. And the high Priest said, Are then these things so? [Namely, whereof thou art accused.]
2. And he said, ye men, brethren and Fathers, [So he calls them because they were of one generation with him: calling those that were of like age among them brethren, and those that were elder or in any office Fathers] hearken, the God of glory appeared to our Father Abraham [That is, from whom we Jews are descended, and of whom we always boast, John 3. 39.] being yet in Mesopotania [So is called in Greek, the country that lyeth in the midst betwixt the Rivers Tigris and Euphrates: in the Hebrew called Aram Naharajim, that is, Syria betwixt two Rivers, Genesis 24:10.unto which is also reckoned the Land of Babylon, whereof Chaldea was a part, Genesis 11:31. See also Plin.lib.6.chap. 9. 26.] before he dwelt [namely, while he yet dwelt in Ur a City of Chaldea, Genesis 11:31.and 15. 7.] in Charran. [this was a City of Mesopotamia, beyond the River Euphrates, Genesis 11:31.and ch.28. 10.and ch.29.4. Joshua 24:2. Otherwise called Carrhe, where in former time the Romane Generall M. Craffus, was beaten by the Parthians.]
3. And said unto him, go out of the Countrey, and out of thy kindred, and come into a land that I shall shew thee. [This was the land of Canaan, which God named not unto him at first, the better to prove his faith and obedience, and to make it apparent, Genesis 12:1.]
4. Then went he out of the land of Chaldea, and dwelt in Charran. And from thence after that his Father was dead, he brought him over into this land, wherein ye now dwell.
5. And he gave him no inheritance in the same, no not one foot step, [That is, not so much of his own that he could set his foot thereon, see Deuteronomy 2:5. Afterwards he bought therein, a field with a cave, and that not to dwell there, but to bury his dead therein, Genesis 23:9.] and promised [that is, although he had promised him: Or but he promised] that he would give him the same for a possession, and to his seed, [that is, posterity] after him, while he had (yet) no child.
6. And God spake thus, that his seed should be a stranger [Gr.Paroikos, i.e. that is, a dweller in, or dweller by, who dwelleth not in his own but anothers house or land] in a strange land, [namely, the land of Egypt] and (that) they [namely, the Egyptians] should make them bond-men, [by this bondage is also understood all their exile and sojourning, and not only that hard servitude which the Isarelites were first subject unto in Egpt after the death of Joseph, Exod.1.v.6, 10, 11.for that lasted not four hundred years] and evill intreat them four hundred years. [these must be reckoned from the time that Abraham after this promise got seed, and Isaac was weaned, Genesis 21:2, 8. But as concerning the four hundred and thirty years whereof is spoken, Exodus 12:40.and Galatians 3:17. See the annotation thereof on the same places, Genesis 12:1.between which time and the weaning of Isaac are thirty years. See Genesis 15:13. To which place Stephen here alludes.]
7. And [Or but] the people that they shall serve, will I judge, [That is, punish, according to my righteous judgement, 1 Cor. 11. 31. Hebrews 13:4.which also especially came to pass, when Pharoah with his whole hoste was drowned in the red Sea] spake God. And afterward they shall go forth, and they shall serve me n this place.
8. And he gave him, [Namely, Abraham] the covenant of circumcision [that is, circumcision which was a sign and seal of the covenant. See Genesis 17:10.and Romans 4:11.] and so [or and he] he begat Isaac and circumcised him on the eighth day; and Isaac (begat) Jacob, and Jacob the twelve Patriarchs.
9. And the Patriarchs being envious, sold Joseph (to be brought) unto Egypt, and God was with him, [Namely, by his special savour, grace and blessing.]
10. And delivered him out of all his afflictions, and gave him grace, [That is, acceptation, that Pharoah was favourable to him] and wisdom, before Pharoah King of Egypt, and he made him a Ruler over Egypt, [Gr. Leader] and his whole house.
11. And there came a femine over the whole land of Egypt and Cannan and great distress, and our Fathers found no meat, [Namely, for themselves and for their cattle: Or nothing to satisfie them.]
12. But when Jacob heard that there was corn in Egypt, he sent forth our Fathers, [That is, his sons from whom we are descended] first.
13. And in the second (journey) [That is, return into Egypt] Joseph was known to his brethren, and the generation of Joseph was manifest unto Pharoah.
14. And Joseph sent away, and called for his Father Jacob, and all his family, [Or kindred] (consisting) in seventy five souls. [in Hebrew Text, Genesis 46:27. Exodus 1:5.and Deuteronomy 10:22.mention is made but of seventy souls: but in the Greek translation, Genesis 46:27. And Exod. 1.ver.5.there is of seventy five; which translation some think that Luke here followed. See the like, Luke 3:36. Others think that Stephen besides the seventy should have reckoned the four wives of Jacob, and the two sons of Judah which died in Canaan, without accounting Jacob himself also.]
15. And Jacob came down into Egypt and died, he himself and our Fathers.
16. And they were brought over [That is, their bones] unto Sichem. [this was a City in the land of Samaria, Genesis 33:19.otherwise called also Sichar, John 4:5.by which the bones of Joseph were buried, in that peece of Land which bought of the children of Hemor the Father of Sichem; Joshua 24:32.and it is credible that some of the other forefathers bones were brought thither also] and laid in the grave, which Abraham had bought [Genesis 33:19.and Josh.24.32.it is expresly said that Jacob bought a piece of Land of the children of Emmor the Father of Sichem: wherefore some think that the word Jacob must be repeated again out of the former verse, and that the word Abraham stood not in the Text in former time, yet others think that the word Abraham may be well be retained in the Text, seeing Abraham also bought a Cave at Hebron of Ephron the son of Zohar for the burial of his dead, Genesis 23:16.in which Jacob would be buried also, Gen. 49 29, 30.and whither it seemeth also that the bones of some other forefathers were brought over from Sichem. And these translate the Text here thus by that i.e. by the grave, that of the sons of Emmor the Father of Sichem, namely was bought by Jacob, Genesis 33:19.] for a sum of money, [Gr.for a piece of Silver] of the sons of Emmor (the Father) [see Genesis 33:19] of Sichem.
17. But when now the time of the promise [Namely made to Abraham, that his posterity should be delivered out of the strange Land, and of bondage v. 7.or of the multiplying of his seed, Genesis 22:16, 17.] which God had sworn to Abraham drew nigh, the people grew and multiplied in Egypt.
18. Untill another King arose which had not known Joseph, [Namely, how much good he had done to Egypt: and therefore was not favourable to the Hebrews.]
19. He used subtilty against our race, [That is, oppressed them with subtilties: by hard labour keeping them under, and making his own profit: and killing their male-children, that they should multiply no more. See Exodus 1:10.] and dealt ill with our Fathers, so that they must cast asway their young children, that they should not propagate [or remain alive.]
20. In which time Moses was born, and was exceeding faire, [Gr.faire to God, i.e. divinely, or exceeding, Exodus 2:2.so Ninive is called a City great to God, i.e. exceeding great. God had given him that geat beauty, thereby to move Pharoahs daughter to preserve him alive, and to take him for her son, Exod. 2.ver. 10.] who was nourished up three moneths in his Fathers house.
21. And when he was cast away, Pharoahs daughter took him up; and nourished him uo for her self for a son. [That is, having taken or adopted him for a son, Hebrews 11:24.]
22. And Moses was instructed in all the wisdom of the Egyptians: and was mighty words, and in works.
23. Now when the time of fourty years [Namely, which he had lived in the Court of Pharoah] was fulfilled to him, it came into his heart, to visite his brethren, [that is, who were of his people and generation] the children of Israel.
24. And seeing one [Namely, Israelite] who suffered wrong, he defendeth (him) and avenged him to whom the injury was done, and smote the Egyptian.
25. And he thought that his brethren would understand, [Namely, by this his deed] that God by his hand [that is, by his ministry. Hebr.] would give them deliverance, [Gr.Salvation, namely, out of the slavery of Egypt] but they understood it not it not. [namely, out of heedlessness or obstinacy, which fault was always among this people. See v. 35.]
26. And the day following he was seen of them where they fought, and he pressed them to peace, [Namely, by earnest perswasions] saying, men, ye are brethren, wherefore do ye wrong one another?
27. And he that did his neighbour wrong, thrust him off, saying, who made thee a Ruler and Judge over us?
28. Wilt thou make me away (also) like as yesterday thou madest away the Egyptian?
29. And Moses fled at that word, [Gr.in that word, i.e. as soon as that was spoken; because he understood thereby that his deed was not hidden as he had thought] and was a stranger in the land (of) Madiam, where he begat two sons.
30. And when fourty years wer fulfilled, [Namely, which he had past over after his flight out of Egypt into Madiam, so that he was now eighty years old, See v. 23.] the Angel of the Lord [namely, the eternal son of God, the Lord himself as we see in the two following verses, and Exod. 3.v.4. 5.and chap.23.v.2.1. 1 Cor. 10. 9.] appeared to him in the wilderness of mount Sinai, in a flaming fire, [Gr.in a flame of fire] of the thorn-bush.
31. Now Moses seeing (that) wondred at the vision and as he went thitherwards to view (that,) [Or to take notice of it] there hapned a voice of the Lord unto him.
32. (Saying) I am the God of thy Fathers, the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob And Moses became very trembling, and durst not view [or take notice of] (it.) [or him, namely, the Angel.]
33. And the Lord said unto him, loose the shooes, [The Greek word signifieth soles which are bound unto the feet with bands] of thy feet: for the place in which thou standest is holy ground. [namely, because of the divine apparition which happened there.]
34. I have evidently seen, [Gr.seeing have seen, i.e. very well seen, and diligently observed it, how my people in Egypt are abused] the misusage of my people that is in Egypt, and I have heard their sighing, & am come down, [namely. From heaven which must be understood being spoken after the manner of men, that God was now ready to deliver his people, and to punish their Enemies. For otherwise God filleth Heaven and Earth, Jeremiah 23:24.] to deliver them out of it: and now come hither, I will send thee unto Egypt.
35. This Moses whom they had denyed, saying, who made thee a Ruler and a Judge? Him (I say) did God send for a Ruler and Deliverer by the hand, [That is, by the disposing. Hebr.] of the Angel, which appeared unto him in the thorn-bush.
36. He brought them out, doing wonders and signes in the land of Egypt, and in the red sea, and in the wilderness fourty years.
37. This is the Moses which said unto the children of Israel, the Lord your God shall raise unto you a Prophet, [Namely, the Christ or Messias. Here Stephen sheweth that he doth not teach against Moses while he preached Jesus Christ, seeing Moses himself prophecyed of him] out of your brethren, like unto me, him shall ye hear.
38. This is he that in the Congregation (of the people) [Or Church. This was the assembly of the people which is described, Exod 19.and in some chapters following] in the wilderness was with the Angel, [namely, the Son of God, ver.30.] who spake unto him on mount Sina, and (with) our Fathers: who received the living words [that is, speeches or oracles of God, whereby he declared his will, called here living words, because they shew the way to life] to give them unto us.
39. To whom our Fathers would not be obedient, but rejected (him) [Namely, Moses, and God propounding his living words unto them by Moses] and turned (again) with their hearts unto Egypt, [namely, longing after that Land again, or after the superstitions of Egyypt.
40. Saying unto Aaron, make us Gods that may goe before us For (as for) this Moses, who brought us out of the Land Egypt, we know what is happened unto him.
41. And they made a calf in those daies, and brought sacrificies unto the Idol, [Or to the Image, wherewith they committed Idolatry, namely, to the calfe] and rejoiced [namely, with eating, drinking and playing, Exodus 32:6. 1 Cor. 10. 7.] in the works of their hands. [that is, in the golden calfe that they themselves had made with their own hands. So Idols are often called to shew their nothingness, and the folly of Idolaters, Psal. 115. 4.]
42. And God turned (him) [That is, was wroth with them, whereas he had been favourable to them before, and did them good. Or turned away from them] and gave them over [namely, as a righteous judge, to their lusts, and into a perverse sence, Rom. 1.ver. 24.28.] that they should serve the hoest of heaven, [that is, the Sun Moon and other stars. See Deuteronomy 17:3. 2 Kings 17:16. Isaiah 40:26. Jeremiah 19:13.] as it is written in the books of the Prophets, [namely, of the lesser Prophets which were put in one book together. This is written in the Prophet Amos, chapter 5.ver. 25.] Have ye offered up to me slain-offerings and sacrifices, forty years in the wilderness yee house of Israel? [by this question he means that they did not offer unto him as they ought, nor with and upright heart; Amos 5:21.
43. Tea yee took up [Namely, on your shoulders for to carry it] The Tabernacle of Moloch, Levit. 18.ver. 21. 1 Kings 11:7. Jeremiah 32:35. And this name cometh from the Hebrew word Melech, i.e. King, as also Milcom, 1 Kings 11:5.] and the constellation [see hereof Amos 5:26.and the like Jeremiah 7:18.and 44. 256.] of your God Remphan, [in the Hebrew Text it is Chijun, whereby some understand the Idoll Hercules, because the Egyptians whose Idolatry the Israelites much followed, called the Egyptians was also called Rephan, which word, but changed into Raiphan, in the Greeke translation is put for Chijun, which is here followed by Luke, forasmuch as the same agrees with the Hebrew Text in the root. But in the Greeke translation which Stephen followes there stands Raiphan, which afterwards was changed into Remphan, The Hebrews call a Gyant Repha, from whence some think this word came, and that the Idol Hercules which used to be worshipped in the shape of of a Gyant is signified thereby] the representations (Gr.expressions ye made to worship them: and I will carry you over on the further (side) of Babylon. [in the Hebrew it is Damascus, as also in the Greeke translation. But Stephen respected more the sence then the words, seeing the History teacheth, that they were carried over not only beyond Danascus, but also beyond Babylon into Persia and Media. See 2 Kings 17:6.and Joseph.antiq.lib. 9.cap. 14.]
44. The Tabernacle of the Testimony [So called because the Tables of the Law, which is called the Testimony of the lord, were kept therein and God from thence gave Testimony and answer concerning his will Exod. 25.ver. 22. 2 Kings 11.ver. 12. 2 Chron. 23.ver.11.and was otherwise called of answer, or of the congregation, because the people when they were to gather together there received answer to come together. See Exodus 40:2.compared with Exodus 33:7.] was amongst our Fathers i.e. the wilderness, as he had ordained, who said unto Moses that he should make the same according to the patern which he had seen.
45. Which also our Fathers having received, [Namely, as from hand to hand from their Ancestors] brought with Jesus [That is Joshua, the Son of Nun, whereby wee see that the names Joshua and Jesus are all one name. See also Heb. 4 8] into the (Land) that the Gentiles possessed, [Gr.into the possession of the Gentiles, or when they took in the possession of the Gentiles] whom God drove out from the face of our Fathers , [that is, from before them: or so that they could not endure the face of our Fathers, Exodus 23:28. Jopshua 24. 12. Psalms 44:4.] untill the days of David.
46. Who found grace before God, [See Luke 1:30] and desired to finde an habitation [that is, to get or build] for the God of Jacob.
47. And Solomon built him as house. [That is, a firm and setled building, a Temple, that he might no longer dwell in a Tent or Tebarnacle, but in a firm house, Psalm. 132.ver.3. 4. 5]
48. But the most high dwelleth not in Temples made with hands: [Namely, as if he were included therein or bound thereto; as the Jews imagined, Jeremiah 7:4.] as the Prophet saith.
49. The heaven is a throne to me, and the earth a footstools of my feet. What manner of house will ye build me? Saith the Lord? Or which is the place of my rest?
50. Hath not mine hand made all these things?
51. Ye stiff-necked, and uncircum0cised of hearts and ears, [That is, although ye are outwardly circumcised according to the flesh; yet notwithstanding ye have not the inward circumcision of the heart made without hands, Deut. 10.ver. 16.and 30. 6. Jeremiah 4:4.without which the outward profiteth not, Romans 2:28.] ye doe always resist the holy Ghost, [Gr.ye always fall against the holy Ghost, namely, who convinceth you by his word, that the doctrine of Christ is the true saving doctrine, and yet ye doe always resist the same] even as your Fathers [see Psalms 78:8.] (so) also ye.
52. Which of the Prophets have not your Fathers persecuted? And they have killed these who before declared the coming of the just one, [Namely, of Jesus Christ. See Esa. 53. 11. Acts 3:14. 1 John 2.ver. 1.] of whom ye are now become betrayers [namely, by Judas] and murderers. [namely, by the Romane souldiers, having condemned him to death, whereas he was innocent.]
53. Ye who have received the Law by dispositions of the Angels, [Or ordinances, i.e. ministrations and service. See Galatians 3:19.] and have not observed it. [Gr.kept.]
54. Now when they heard this, their hearts burst [Gr.they were sawne through their hearts. Namely, for spite and wrath, See Acts 5:33.] and they gnashed the teeth against him.
55. But he being full of the holy Ghost, and holding (his) eyes towards heaven, saw the glory of God, [That is, the glorious God: or a divine glory, Luke 2:9. Namely, as far as the same can be seen with humane eyes] and Jesus standing [that is, being, 1 Pet. 3.ver.22. otherwise he is also said to fit at the right hand of God. [thereby is understood the highest glory and power.]
56. And he said, Behold I see the heavens opened, [See the like Matth. 3. 16.] and teh Son of man [that is, Jesus Christ] standing at the right (hand) of God.
57. But they crying with a great voice, stopped their ears and fell upon him with one accord.
58. And cast him out of the City, [Because they would therein follow the Law, Leviticus 24:14.] and stoned (him,) and the witnesses [who according to the Law were to begin the stoning, Deuteronomy 17:7.] laid off their cloathes, [that is, their upper garments or cloaks, that they might the better be able to cast stones] at the feet of a young man called Saul, [whose conversion is described in the ninth chapter following.]
59. And they stoned Stephen, calling on (God) and saying, Lord Jesus receive my spirit. [That is, soul. See the like, Luke3. 34.]
60. And falling on the knees, he cryed with a great voice; [See the like, Matthew 27:50.] Lord impute not this sin to them, [Gr.put not this sin to them, i.e. do not keep it standing or remaining, to punish them for it according to desert] and hwen he had said that , he fell asleep. [that is, he died: for the death of the faithfulll is called a sleep because of the blessed resurrection from the dead whereby they shal be raised up again as out of a sleep unto everlasting life. See Matthew 9:24. John 11:11. 1 Cor. 15. 6, 18, 20. 1 Thes. 4. 13.]