Devine Scripture

Acts 7:16

What does Acts 7:16 mean?

A plain-English look at Acts 7:16 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Acts 7:16 means

They were carried to Shechem and laid in the tomb Abraham bought from the sons of Hamor. Stephen’s point is not to rehearse every burial detail but to underline continuity with the promised land. Even in death, the fathers were linked to Canaan, expressing hope in God’s promise. Mentioning a purchased tomb highlights a small, tangible claim in the land amid a larger, still-future inheritance. The burial in Shechem reminds the council that their roots run deep and that God’s purposes outlast lifetimes. The faith of the fathers pointed forward, trusting that God would surely keep His word to give the land to their seed.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

and they were carried over unto Shechem, and laid in the tomb that Abraham bought for a price in silver of the sons of Hamor in Shechem.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And were carried over into Sychem, and laid in the sepulchre that Abraham bought for a sum of money of the sons of Emmor the father of Sychem.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

and they were carried over unto Shechem, and laid in the tomb that Abraham bought for a price in silver of the sons of Hamor in Shechem.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And they were taken over to Shechem, and put to rest in the place which Abraham got for a price in silver from the sons of Hamor in Shechem.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and they were carried over into Sychem, and were laid in the tomb that Abraham bought for a price in money from the sons of Emmor, of Sychem.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And they were translated into Sichem and were laid in the sepulchre that Abraham bought for a sum of money of the sons of Hemor, the son of Sichem.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

and were carried over to Sychem and placed in the sepulchre which Abraham bought for a sum of money of the sons of Emmor the [father] of Sychem.

Context

This verse concludes the patriarchal section with burial in Shechem, symbolizing connection to the promised land. Stephen now moves, in verses 17–19, to the time of promise drawing near, Israel’s growth in Egypt, and the rise of a Pharaoh who knew not Joseph, leading to harsh oppression. This transition sets the stage for Moses’ birth (verse 20) and his early life (verses 21–22). The narrative continues to trace how God’s promises advance through both favor and affliction, and how God raises deliverers whom Israel often fails to recognize at first.

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

v.16This passage

v.17But as the time of the promise drew nigh which God vouchsafed unto Abraham, the people grew and multiplied in Egypt,

Cross references

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

  • Genesis 33:9

    And Esau said, I have enough, my brother; let that which thou hast be thine.

  • Genesis 34:2

    And Shechem the son of Hamor the Hivite, the prince of the land, saw her; and he took her, and lay with her, and humbled her.

  • Genesis 49:29

    And he charged them, and said unto them, I am to be gathered unto my people: bury me with my fathers in the cave that is in the field of Ephron the Hittite,

  • Exodus 13:19

    And Moses took the bones of Joseph with him: for he had straitly sworn the children of Israel, saying, God will surely visit you; and ye shall carry up my bones away hence with you.

  • Genesis 50:13

    for his sons carried him into the land of Canaan, and buried him in the cave of the field of Machpelah, which Abraham bought with the field, for a possession of a burying-place, of Ephron the Hittite, before Mamre.

  • Joshua 24:32

    And the bones of Joseph, which the children of Israel brought up out of Egypt, buried they in Shechem, in the parcel of ground which Jacob bought of the sons of Hamor the father of Shechem for a hundred pieces of money: and they became the inheritance of the children of Joseph.

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