Acts 7:10
What does Acts 7:10 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 7:10 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 7:10 means
God delivered Joseph from all his afflictions, granting him favor and wisdom before Pharaoh, who made him governor over Egypt and his house. Stephen highlights God as the source of Joseph’s success. Wisdom and favor are divine gifts, not mere human talent. Joseph’s exaltation after suffering pictures how God uses unexpected routes to accomplish His purposes. The rejected brother becomes the nation’s preserver. This strengthening of Joseph’s hand in a foreign court shows God’s sovereignty beyond Israel’s borders—an important thread in Stephen’s case that God’s presence is not limited to the land or Temple. Joseph’s rise serves both family preservation and the unfolding of God’s promises.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000and delivered him out of all his afflictions, and gave him favor and wisdom before Pharaoh king of Egypt; and he made him governor over Egypt and all his house.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And delivered him out of all his afflictions, and gave him favour and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh king of Egypt; and he made him governor over Egypt and all his house.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901and delivered him out of all his afflictions, and gave him favor and wisdom before Pharaoh king of Egypt; and he made him governor over Egypt and all his house.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And made him free from all his troubles, and gave him wisdom and the approval of Pharaoh, king of Egypt, who made him ruler over Egypt and all his house.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and did deliver him out of all his tribulations, and gave him favour and wisdom before Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he did set him--governor over Egypt and all his house.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And delivered him out of all his tribulations: and he gave him favour and wisdom in the sight of Pharao, the king of Egypt. And he appointed him governor over Egypt and over all his house.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890and delivered him out of all his tribulations, and gave him favour and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he appointed him chief over Egypt and all his house.
Context
Building on verse 9’s rejection theme, verse 10 narrates God’s deliverance and Joseph’s promotion. The next verses will trace how famine drove Jacob’s family to Egypt (verses 11–12) and how recognition came on the second visit (verse 13). Joseph’s exaltation provides the means to save his family, tying the patriarchal promise to providential care in a foreign land. The flow continues to the family’s migration to Egypt (verse 14) and their eventual deaths and burials (verses 15–16), preparing the way for the growth in Egypt and the rise of Moses.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Psalms 40:1
I waited patiently for Jehovah; And he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.
- Genesis 48:16
the angel who hath redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads; and let my name be named on them, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; and let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth.
- Proverbs 2:6
For Jehovah giveth wisdom; Out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding:
- Psalms 105:19
Until the time that his word came to pass, The word of Jehovah tried him.
- Psalms 37:40
And Jehovah helpeth them, and rescueth them: He rescueth them from the wicked, and saveth them, Because they have taken refuge in him.
- Genesis 42:6
And Joseph was the governor over the land; he it was that sold to all the people of the land. And Joseph’s brethren came, and bowed down themselves to him with their faces to the earth.
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