Acts 7:4
What does Acts 7:4 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 7:4 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 7:4 means
Abraham obeyed: leaving the Chaldæans, living in Haran, and, after his father died, being brought by God into the land where Israel now dwells. Stephen underscores God’s active role—God removed him—making clear the land was gift before it was possession. The journey unfolded in stages, governed by God’s timing, not human haste. The audience is reminded that their present dwelling results from ancient promises and providential leading. Stephen affirms the land’s significance while keeping the focus on the God who gives it. Thus, Abraham’s sojourn displays faith’s patience and God’s sovereignty, themes that will recur in Israel’s subsequent history.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Then 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:
KJV
King James Version · 1611Then came he out of the land of the Chaldeans, and dwelt in Charran: and from thence, when his father was dead, he removed him into this land, wherein ye now dwell.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Then 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:
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Then he came out of the land of the Chaldaeans, and went into Haran; and from there, when his father was dead, he was guided by God into this land, where you are living now:
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862`Then having come forth out of the land of the Chaldeans, he dwelt in Haran, and from thence, after the death of his father, He did remove him to this land wherein ye now dwell,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Then he went out of the land of the Chaldeans and dwelt in Charan. And from thence, after his father was dead, he removed him into this land, wherein you now dwell.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Then going out of the land of the Chaldeans he dwelt in Charran, and thence, after his father died, he removed him into this land in which ye now dwell.
Context
Verse 4 shows the outcome of God’s call: Abraham’s migration from the Chaldæans to Haran, then to Canaan. The movement anticipates the promise-versus-possession tension in the next verse. Stephen’s hearers prize the land, yet he stresses that even its first recipient navigated it as a pilgrim directed by God. Verses 5–8 will deepen this by noting the delay in inheritance, the promise of descendants, the prophecy of sojourning and bondage, and the sign of the covenant. This context supports Stephen’s thesis that God’s plan advances through promise, not immediacy or structure.
v.3and said unto him, Get thee out of thy land, and from thy kindred, and come into the land which I shall show thee.
v.4This passage
v.5and he gave him none inheritance in it, no, not so much as to set his foot on: and he promised that he would give it to him in possession, and to his seed after him, when as yet he had no child.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Isaiah 41:9
thou whom I have taken hold of from the ends of the earth, and called from the corners thereof, and said unto thee, Thou art my servant, I have chosen thee and not cast thee away;
- Isaiah 41:2
Who hath raised up one from the east, whom he calleth in righteousness to his foot? he giveth nations before him, and maketh him rule over kings; he giveth them as the dust to his sword, as the driven stubble to his bow.
- Genesis 11:31
And Terah took Abram his son, and Lot the son of Haran, his son’s son, and Sarai his daughter-in-law, his son Abram’s wife; and they went forth with them from Ur of the Chaldees, to go into the land of Canaan; and they came unto Haran, and dwelt there.
- Genesis 12:4
So Abram went, as Jehovah had spoken unto him; and Lot went with him: and Abram was seventy and five years old when he departed out of Haran.
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