Devine Scripture

Acts 7:47

What does Acts 7:47 mean?

A plain-English look at Acts 7:47 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Acts 7:47 means

But Solomon built Him a house. Stephen acknowledges the Temple’s construction under Solomon as the capstone of Israel’s centralized worship. This was a legitimate, God-acknowledged development in Israel’s life. Yet the brevity of the statement prepares for a corrective: though the Temple is significant, it cannot limit the infinite God. Stephen’s careful progression—from tabernacle to Temple—shows respect for sacred space while guarding against the error of making the building the object of trust. The Temple served God’s people; it did not contain God’s essence. That crucial distinction will be driven home in the next verses by the prophetic word.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

But Solomon built him a house.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

But Solomon built him an house.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

But Solomon built him a house.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But Solomon was the builder of his house.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and Solomon built Him an house.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

But Solomon built him a house,

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

but Solomon built him a house.

Context

Having mentioned David’s desire, Stephen notes Solomon’s accomplishment. Verses 48–50 will immediately qualify any misunderstanding by citing the prophet: the Most High does not dwell in houses made with hands, and heaven and earth are His throne and footstool. This transition is pivotal, addressing the charge that Stephen speaks against the Temple by showing that his view aligns with Scripture’s own evaluation of the Temple’s limits.

v.46who found favor in the sight of God, and asked to find a habitation for the God of Jacob.

v.47This passage

v.48Howbeit the Most High dwelleth not in houses made with hands; as saith the prophet,

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • 1 Chronicles 17:1

    And it came to pass, when David dwelt in his house, that David said to Nathan the prophet, Lo, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of the covenant of Jehovah dwelleth under curtains.

  • 2 Samuel 7:13

    He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom for ever.

  • 2 Chronicles 3:1

    Then Solomon began to build the house of Jehovah at Jerusalem on mount Moriah, whereJehovahappeared unto David his father, which he made ready in the place that David had appointed, in the threshing-floor of Ornan the Jebusite.

  • 1 Kings 6:37

    In the fourth year was the foundation of the house of Jehovah laid, in the month Ziv.

  • 1 Kings 5:1

    And Hiram king of Tyre sent his servants unto Solomon; for he had heard that they had anointed him king in the room of his father: for Hiram was ever a lover of David.

  • 1 Kings 7:13

    And king Solomon sent and fetched Hiram out of Tyre.

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