Acts 7:12
What does Acts 7:12 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 7:12 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 7:12 means
Hearing there was grain in Egypt, Jacob sent the fathers on their first trip. Stephen marks the sequence carefully. The first journey brings contact but not yet recognition. God’s provision is drawing the family toward the very brother they had wronged. The mention of the “first time” prepares for the “second time” when Joseph is revealed. This rhythm of first and second parallels the pattern of rejection and later recognition in Israel’s story. It foreshadows how initial blindness can give way to acknowledgment of the one God has chosen. Providence unfolds in steps, often requiring repeated encounters to make the truth plain.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000But when Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent forth our fathers the first time.
KJV
King James Version · 1611But when Jacob heard that there was corn in Egypt, he sent out our fathers first.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901But when Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent forth our fathers the first time.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949But Jacob, hearing that there was grain in Egypt, sent out our fathers the first time.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and Jacob having heard that there was corn in Egypt, sent forth our fathers a first time;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752But when Jacob had heard that there was corn in Egypt, he sent our fathers first.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890But Jacob, having heard of there being corn in Egypt, sent out our fathers first;
Context
Verse 12 follows the famine’s pressure with Jacob’s initiative to send for grain. The upcoming verse (13) will stress that only on the second visit did Joseph reveal himself, and Joseph’s lineage became known to Pharaoh. This stepwise narrative supports Stephen’s theme of delayed recognition of God’s deliverers. It also moves the plot toward the migration of Jacob’s whole family to Egypt (verse 14), their deaths (verse 15), and the burial references (verse 16), before transitioning to Israel’s increase and eventual oppression in Egypt (verses 17–19).
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Genesis 43:2
And it came to pass, when they had eaten up the grain which they had brought out of Egypt, their father said unto them, Go again, buy us a little food.
- Genesis 42:1
Now Jacob saw that there was grain in Egypt, and Jacob said unto his sons, Why do ye look one upon another?
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