Devine Scripture

Acts 13:18

What does Acts 13:18 mean?

A plain-English look at Acts 13:18 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Acts 13:18 means

Paul continues his historical summary, referencing the forty years Israel spent in the wilderness after leaving Egypt. He describes God's constant care during this period, likening it to a 'nursing-father' bearing his children. This imagery emphasizes God's patient endurance, nurture, and provision for a often rebellious people. Despite their complaints and disobedience, God sustained them through the challenging desert journey. This illustrates God's steadfast love and commitment to His chosen people, a theme that undergirds the entire sermon.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And for about the time of forty years as a nursing-father bare he them in the wilderness.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And about the time of forty years suffered he their manners in the wilderness.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And for about the time of forty years as a nursing-father bare he them in the wilderness.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And for about forty years he put up with their ways in the waste land.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and about a period of forty years He did suffer their manners in the wilderness,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And for the space of forty years endured their manners in the desert:

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

and for a time of about forty years he nursed them in the desert.

Context

Following the account of Israel's deliverance from Egypt in verse 17, this verse logically progresses to their subsequent forty years in the wilderness. It maintains the flow of Israel's history, emphasizing God's faithful provision during this challenging period. This transitional event leads directly to God's fulfilling His promise of the land and providing leadership, as detailed in verses 19-20, building a comprehensive historical groundwork before Paul introduces Jesus as the ultimate fulfillment of God's plan.

v.17The God of this people Israel chose our fathers, and exalted the people when they sojourned in the land of Egypt, and with a high arm led he them forth out of it.

v.18This passage

v.19And when he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan, he gave them their land for an inheritance, for about four hundred and fifty years:

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Hebrews 3:7

    Wherefore, even as the Holy Spirit saith, To-day if ye shall hear his voice,

  • Hebrews 3:16

    For who, when they heard, did provoke? nay, did not all they that came out of Egypt by Moses?

  • Nehemiah 9:16

    But they and our fathers dealt proudly, and hardened their neck, and hearkened not to thy commandments,

  • Acts 7:39

    to whom our fathers would not be obedient, but thrust him from them, and turned back in their hearts unto Egypt,

  • Deuteronomy 1:31

    and in the wilderness, where thou hast seen how that Jehovah thy God bare thee, as a man doth bear his son, in all the way that ye went, until ye came unto this place.

  • Psalms 106:13

    They soon forgat his works; They waited not for his counsel,

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