Devine Scripture

Acts 7:14

What does Acts 7:14 mean?

A plain-English look at Acts 7:14 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Acts 7:14 means

Joseph summoned Jacob and all his kin—seventy-five souls—to come to Egypt. Stephen follows a count that underscores the substantial migration of the covenant family. This was not an exile of desperation alone but a providential gathering under Joseph’s protection. The move illustrates God’s care in a foreign land and prepares for the growth of the people according to promise. Egypt, though not the promised land, becomes the place where God shelters and multiplies His people. In Stephen’s telling, this further shows that God’s presence is not confined to one geography; He preserves and prospers His people wherever He wills, for the sake of His unfolding plan.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Then Joseph sent for Jacob his father and all his family, seventy-five persons.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and Joseph having sent, did call for his father Jacob, and all his kindred--with seventy and five souls--

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And Joseph sending, called thither Jacob, his father, and all his kindred, seventy-five souls.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And Joseph sent and called down to him his father Jacob and all [his] kindred, seventy-five souls.

Context

After Joseph’s disclosure, the natural next step is family reunification. Verse 14 reports the invitation and the number of those who came. Verses 15–16 will note Jacob’s descent to Egypt, the deaths of the patriarchs, and their being laid in Shechem. This concludes the Joseph section and transitions to the growth and subsequent oppression in Egypt (verses 17–19). The exact number highlights the concrete, historical nature of the migration while reinforcing Stephen’s emphasis on God’s providence outside the land later revered by the Sanhedrin.

v.13And at the second time Joseph was made known to his brethren; and Joseph’s race became manifest unto Pharaoh.

v.14This passage

v.15And Jacob went down into Egypt; and he died, himself and our fathers;

Cross references

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

  • Genesis 45:9

    Haste ye, and go up to my father, and say unto him, Thus saith thy son Joseph, God hath made me lord of all Egypt: come down unto me, tarry not;

  • Exodus 1:5

    And all the souls that came out of the loins of Jacob were seventy souls: and Joseph was in Egypt already.

  • Genesis 46:26

    All the souls that came with Jacob into Egypt, that came out of his loins, besides Jacob’s sons’ wives, all the souls were threescore and six;

  • Psalms 105:23

    Israel also came into Egypt; And Jacob sojourned in the land of Ham.

  • Genesis 46:12

    And the sons of Judah: Er, and Onan, and Shelah, and Perez, and Zerah; but Er and Onan died in the land of Canaan. And the sons of Perez were Hezron and Hamul.

  • 1 Chronicles 2:5

    The sons of Perez: Hezron, and Hamul.

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