Acts 13:20
What does Acts 13:20 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 13:20 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 13:20 means
Paul continues his summary of Israel's history, explaining that after their establishment in Canaan, God provided them with judges to lead them until the time of Samuel the prophet. This period was characterized by cycles of apostasy, oppression, repentance, and deliverance through these divinely appointed leaders. This part of Israel's history demonstrates God's consistent practice of raising up deliverers and guides for His people, even in times of moral and spiritual decline. It also sets the immediate stage for the request for a king, which follows next in his historical overview.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000and after these things he gave them judges until Samuel the prophet.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And after that he gave unto them judges about the space of four hundred and fifty years, until Samuel the prophet.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901and after these things he gave them judges until Samuel the prophet.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And after these things he gave them judges, till the time of Samuel the prophet.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862`And after these things, about four hundred and fifty years, He gave judges--till Samuel the prophet;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752As it were, after four hundred and fifty years. And after these things, he gave unto them judges, until Samuel the prophet.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And after these things he gave [them] judges till Samuel the prophet, [to the end of] about four hundred and fifty years.
Context
Moving chronologically through Israel's history, this verse follows the account of the nation receiving the land as an inheritance in verse 19. It transitions the narrative from the conquest to the period of the Judges, providing a continuous historical thread. This segment then serves as a direct precursor to the people's request for a monarchy, detailed in verse 21, establishing the political and spiritual context that eventually leads to the lineage of David and the promise of a Messiah.
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:
v.20This passage
v.21And afterward they asked for a king: and God gave unto them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for the space of forty years.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 2 Kings 23:22
Surely there was not kept such a passover from the days of the judges that judged Israel, nor in all the days of the kings of Israel, nor of the kings of Judah;
- 1 Samuel 3:20
And all Israel from Dan even to Beer-sheba knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of Jehovah.
- 2 Samuel 7:11
and as from the day that I commanded judges to be over my people Israel; and I will cause thee to rest from all thine enemies. Moreover Jehovah telleth thee that Jehovah will make thee a house.
- Ruth 1:1
And it came to pass in the days when the judges judged, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Beth-lehem-judah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons.
- Judges 3:10
And the Spirit of Jehovah came upon him, and he judged Israel; and he went out to war, and Jehovah delivered Cushan-rishathaim king of Mesopotamia into his hand: and his hand prevailed against Cushan-rishathaim.
- 1 Samuel 12:11
And Jehovah sent Jerubbaal, and Bedan, and Jephthah, and Samuel, and delivered you out of the hand of your enemies on every side; and ye dwelt in safety.
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