Acts 7:2
What does Acts 7:2 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 7:2 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 7:2 means
Stephen respectfully addresses the council as brethren and fathers, signaling solidarity with Israel’s heritage. He begins with Abraham, the fountainhead of Israel’s story. God—the God of glory—took the initiative, appearing to Abraham in Mesopotamia before he settled in Haran. This underscores that God’s call and presence were never confined to the land or Temple. Israel’s story is a story of divine initiative and promise. By starting with Abraham’s call away from his homeland, Stephen shows that true faith obeys God’s summons, often away from familiar securities, and that God’s redemptive plan began outside the borders his listeners revered so highly.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And he said, Brethren and fathers, hearken: The God of glory appeared unto our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Haran,
KJV
King James Version · 1611And he said, Men, brethren, and fathers, hearken; The God of glory appeared unto our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Charran,
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And he said, Brethren and fathers, hearken: The God of glory appeared unto our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Haran,
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And he said, My brothers and fathers, give hearing. The God of glory came to our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he was living in Haran,
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and he said, `Men, brethren, and fathers, hearken: The God of the glory did appear to our father Abraham, being in Mesopotamia, before his dwelling in Haran,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Who said: Ye men, brethren and fathers, hear. The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Charan.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And he said, Brethren and fathers, hearken. TheGod of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Charran,
Context
Stephen begins his defense by going back to the patriarchal era, affirming shared history and reverence for God. Verses 2–8 will outline Abraham’s call, journey, covenant, and descendants, leading to the covenant of circumcision. This roots Stephen’s teaching in God’s foundational dealings with Israel and subtly introduces his theme that God’s presence and promise predate and transcend the land and Temple. The focus on Abraham’s obedience and God’s initiative prepares for later contrasts with Israel’s repeated disobedience to God’s appointed leaders.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Revelation 4:11
Worthy art thou, our Lord and our God, to receive the glory and the honor and the power: for thou didst create all things, and because of thy will they were, and were created.
- Joshua 24:2
And Joshua said unto all the people, Thus saith Jehovah, the God of Israel, Your fathers dwelt of old time beyond the River, even Terah, the father of Abraham, and the father of Nahor: and they served other gods.
- Acts 23:7
And when he had so said, there arose a dissension between the Pharisees and Sadducees; and the assembly was divided.
- Psalms 24:7
Lift up your heads, O ye gates; And be ye lifted up, ye everlasting doors: And the King of glory will come in.
- Luke 2:14
Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men in whom he is well pleased.
- John 1:14
And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us (and we beheld his glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father), full of grace and truth.
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