Acts 7:3
What does Acts 7:3 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 7:3 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 7:3 means
Stephen cites God’s command to Abraham to leave his land and kindred to go to a land God would show him. This emphasizes faith’s forward motion based on God’s word rather than visible security. Abraham did not chart his own course; he followed a promise. The destination’s identity was less important than the Caller’s authority. Stephen’s point is that Israel’s story began with trustful obedience to a God who guides and reveals. The later reverence for place and structure must be understood in light of this original call: the people of God are defined by hearing and obeying God’s voice wherever He leads.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000and said unto him, Get thee out of thy land, and from thy kindred, and come into the land which I shall show thee.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And said unto him, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and come into the land which I shall shew thee.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901and said unto him, Get thee out of thy land, and from thy kindred, and come into the land which I shall show thee.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And said to him, Go out of your land, and away from your family, and come into the land to which I will be your guide.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and He said to him, Go forth out of thy land, and out of thy kindred, and come to a land that I shall shew thee.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And said to him: Go forth out of thy country and from thy kindred: and come into the land which I shall shew thee.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890and said to him, Go out of thy land and out of thy kindred, and come into the land which I will shew thee.
Context
Continuing Abraham’s story, Stephen highlights the divine summons that initiated Israel’s pilgrimage. Verse 3 expands verse 2’s appearance of God by detailing the command to depart. Next, verse 4 will show Abraham’s response—leaving the land of the Chaldæans, dwelling in Haran, and eventually being brought into Canaan. Together, these verses form the foundation for Stephen’s argument that God’s purposes are not limited to one geographic spot and that faith precedes possession. This framing will matter when Stephen discusses the Tabernacle and Temple later.
v.2And 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,
v.3This passage
v.4Then came he out of the land of the Chaldæans, and dwelt in Haran: and from thence, when his father was dead, God removed him into this land, wherein ye now dwell:
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Genesis 12:1
Now Jehovah said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto the land that I will show thee:
- Matthew 10:37
He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
- Hebrews 11:8
By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed to go out unto a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.
- Luke 14:33
So therefore whosoever he be of you that renounceth not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.
- Nehemiah 9:8
and foundest his heart faithful before thee, and madest a covenant with him to give the land of the Canaanite, the Hittite, the Amorite, and the Perizzite, and the Jebusite, and the Girgashite, to give it unto his seed, and hast performed thy words; for thou art righteous.
- Joshua 24:3
And I took your father Abraham from beyond the River, and led him throughout all the land of Canaan, and multiplied his seed, and gave him Isaac.
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