Acts 7:26
What does Acts 7:26 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 7:26 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 7:26 means
The next day, Moses tried to reconcile two Israelites, urging peace between brethren. Stephen shows Moses not only confronting external oppression but also internal strife. He embodies a peacemaker’s heart, consistent with his future role. Yet the people he seeks to help do not accept his mediation. This underscores that deliverance requires more than a champion; it requires a people willing to be led. The scene exposes Israel’s deep need—not only freedom from Egypt but transformation of heart. Moses’ approach as mediator foreshadows a greater Mediator to come, who will make peace between God and man and among God’s people.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And the day following he appeared unto them as they strove, and would have set them at one again, saying, Sirs, ye are brethren; why do ye wrong one to another?
KJV
King James Version · 1611And the next day he shewed himself unto them as they strove, and would have set them at one again, saying, Sirs, ye are brethren; why do ye wrong one to another?
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And the day following he appeared unto them as they strove, and would have set them at one again, saying, Sirs, ye are brethren; why do ye wrong one to another?
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And the day after, he came to them, while they were having a fight, and would have made peace between them, saying, Sirs, you are brothers; why do you do wrong to one another?
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862`On the succeeding day, also, he shewed himself to them as they are striving, and urged them to peace, saying, Men, brethren are ye, wherefore do ye injustice to one another?
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And the day following, he shewed himself to them when they were at strife and would have reconciled them in peace, saying: Men, ye are brethren. Why hurt you one another?
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And on the morrow he shewed himself to them as they were contending, and compelled them to peace, saying, Ye are brethren, why do ye wrong one another?
Context
Following Moses’ defense of a Hebrew against an Egyptian (verse 24), verse 26 shows his attempt to address conflict within Israel. The coming verses (27–28) will record the rejection: “Who made thee a ruler and a judge?” and the fearful reference to the slain Egyptian. This sets up Moses’ flight to Midian (verse 29), underscoring Stephen’s motif of initial rejection of God’s appointed leader before an eventual, divinely authorized return.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Genesis 13:8
And Abram said unto Lot, Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdsmen and thy herdsmen; for we are brethren.
- Philippians 2:3
doing nothing through faction or through vainglory, but in lowliness of mind each counting other better than himself;
- 1 John 3:11
For this is the message which ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another:
- Proverbs 18:19
A brother offendedis harder to be won than a strong city; Andsuchcontentions are like the bars of a castle.
- Genesis 45:24
So he sent his brethren away, and they departed: and he said unto them, See that ye fall not out by the way.
- Psalms 133:1
Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity!
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