Devine Scripture

Acts 7:13

What does Acts 7:13 mean?

A plain-English look at Acts 7:13 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Acts 7:13 means

On the second visit, Joseph was made known to his brothers, and his family line became known to Pharaoh. The hidden becomes revealed in God’s timing. What was once a story of betrayal now becomes a channel of restoration. Stephen shows that recognition of God’s chosen servant often comes later, after initial rejection. Pharaoh’s awareness of Joseph’s family also sets the stage for their relocation to Egypt under favorable conditions. Thus, God works through Joseph’s disclosure to reunite the family and continue the covenant story. The second time motif subtly prepares Stephen’s hearers to consider a second look at Jesus, the Righteous One they had rejected.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And at the second time Joseph was made known to his brethren; and Joseph’s race became manifest unto Pharaoh.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And at the second time Joseph was made known to his brethren; and Joseph’s kindred was made known unto Pharaoh.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And at the second time Joseph was made known to his brethren; and Joseph’s race became manifest unto Pharaoh.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And the second time his brothers had a meeting with Joseph, and Pharaoh had knowledge of Joseph's family.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and at the second time was Joseph made known to his brethren, and Joseph's kindred became manifest to Pharaoh,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And at the second time, Joseph was known by his brethren: and his kindred was made known to Pharao.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

and the second time Joseph was made known to his brethren, and the family of Joseph became known to Pharaoh.

Context

This verse completes the recognition phase begun in verse 12. Having identified the moment of disclosure, Stephen will proceed in verse 14 to the family’s move to Egypt. The focus on “second time” resonates with Stephen’s larger argument: Israel frequently fails at first to recognize whom God has sent. The narrative progression is crucial: revelation leads to reconciliation, which leads to relocation. These moves, orchestrated under God’s providence, set up the circumstances for Israel’s growth in Egypt (verse 17) and the later rise of a Pharaoh who knew not Joseph (verse 18).

v.12But when Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent forth our fathers the first time.

v.13This passage

v.14And Joseph sent, and called to him Jacob his father, and all his kindred, threescore and fifteen souls.

Cross references

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

  • Genesis 45:1

    Then Joseph could not refrain himself before all them that stood by him; and he cried, Cause every man to go out from me. And there stood no man with him, while Joseph made himself known unto his brethren.

  • Genesis 46:31

    And Joseph said unto his brethren, and unto his father’s house, I will go up, and tell Pharaoh, and will say unto him, My brethren, and my father’s house, who were in the land of Canaan, are come unto me;

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