Acts 7:17
What does Acts 7:17 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 7:17 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 7:17 means
As the time for God’s promise to Abraham drew near, the people multiplied in Egypt. Stephen signals that God’s clock governs history. The increase of Israel was not random growth but the ripening of divine purpose. Multiplication in a foreign land exhibits God’s faithfulness amid exile. It sets the stage for both deliverance and conflict, for growth often provokes opposition. Thus, Stephen frames the coming oppression under God’s timing: when the promise matures, God moves, even through adversity. The swelling numbers both fulfill an aspect of the promise and precipitate the crisis in which God will display His saving power through His chosen servant, Moses.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000But as the time of the promise drew nigh which God vouchsafed unto Abraham, the people grew and multiplied in Egypt,
KJV
King James Version · 1611But when the time of the promise drew nigh, which God had sworn to Abraham, the people grew and multiplied in Egypt,
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901But as the time of the promise drew nigh which God vouchsafed unto Abraham, the people grew and multiplied in Egypt,
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949But when the time was near for putting into effect the undertaking which God had given to Abraham, the people were increasing in Egypt,
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862`And according as the time of the promise was drawing nigh, which God did swear to Abraham, the people increased and multiplied in Egypt,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And when the time of the promise drew near, which God had promised to Abraham, the people increased and were multiplied in Egypt.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890But as the time of promise drew near whichGod had promised to Abraham, the people increased and multiplied in Egypt,
Context
The burial note behind him, Stephen turns to Israel’s expansion in Egypt. Verse 17 connects multiplication to the approaching fulfillment of the Abrahamic promise. Verse 18 will introduce a new king unaware of Joseph, and verse 19 will describe ensuing cruelty. This context shows that promise and peril often arrive together. The scene prepares for Moses’ birth (verse 20) and God’s intervention. Stephen’s ongoing theme continues: God’s purposes are steady and sure, even when circumstances shift from favor to oppression.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Psalms 105:24
And he increased his people greatly, And made them stronger than their adversaries.
- Exodus 1:20
And God dealt well with the midwives: and the people multiplied, and waxed very mighty.
- 2 Peter 3:8
But forget not this one thing, beloved, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
- Exodus 1:7
And the children of Israel were fruitful, and increased abundantly, and multiplied, and waxed exceeding mighty; and the land was filled with them.
- Acts 13:17
The God of this people Israel chose our fathers, and exalted the people when they sojourned in the land of Egypt, and with a high arm led he them forth out of it.
- Acts 7:6
And God spake on this wise, that his seed should sojourn in a strange land, and that they should bring them into bondage, and treat them ill, four hundred years.
Related questions readers ask
Keep reading
Want to dig deeper? Explore Acts 7
Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Acts 7.
Topics that quote it
Topic
Bible Verses About Being Filled with the Spirit
The Bible encourages believers to be filled with the Spirit, a divine empowerment for Christian life and witness
Topic
Bible Verses About Baptism
Baptism is a significant act symbolizing new life in Christ, repentance, and identification with his death, burial, and resurrection.
Topic
Bible Verses About Bible Reading
The Bible encourages us to read, study, and meditate on God’s Word to grow in faith and wisdom.
What the Bible says about…