Acts 7:5
What does Acts 7:5 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 7:5 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 7:5 means
Though Abraham lived in the promised land, God did not grant him any tangible inheritance there—not even enough to set his foot on. Yet God promised to give it to him and to his seed, even when he had no child. Stephen highlights the paradox of faith: promise without present possession. This teaches that God’s faithfulness is not measured by instant fulfillment but by His unbreakable word. The council should recognize that delay did not mean failure; it invited trust. By recalling this, Stephen subtly prepares them to see how the coming of the Righteous One fulfills promises that long seemed distant, even while outward circumstances appeared contrary.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000and 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And he gave him none inheritance in it, no, not so much as to set his foot on: yet he promised that he would give it to him for a possession, and to his seed after him, when as yet he had no child.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901and 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And God gave him no heritage in it, not even enough to put his foot on: but he gave him an undertaking that he would give it to him and to his children after him, though he had no child at that time.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and He gave him no inheritance in it, not even a footstep, and did promise to give it to him for a possession, and to his seed after him--he having no child.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And he gave him no inheritance in it: no, not the pace of a foot. But he promised to give it him in possession, and to his seed after him, when as yet he had no child.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And he did not give him an inheritance in it, not even what his foot could stand on; and promised to give it to him for a possession, and to his seed after him, when he had no child.
Context
Stephen moves from Abraham’s obedience to the nature of the promise he received. Verse 5 underlines the promise-fulfillment gap: Abraham lived as a stranger in the very land promised to his descendants. The following verses (6–8) will mention the foretold sojourn and suffering of Abraham’s seed, God’s judgment of the oppressing nation, their eventual service to God in this place, and the covenant of circumcision. This sequence establishes that God’s purposes unfold over generations and through trials, setting a pattern Stephen will trace through Joseph, Moses, and Israel’s wilderness history.
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:
v.5This passage
v.6And God spake on this wise, that his seed should sojourn in a strange land, and that they should bring them into bondage, and treat them ill, four hundred years.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Deuteronomy 11:9
and that ye may prolong your days in the land, which Jehovah sware unto your fathers to give unto them and to their seed, a land flowing with milk and honey.
- Deuteronomy 2:5
contend not with them; for I will not give you of their land, no, not so much as for the sole of the foot to tread on; because I have given mount Seir unto Esau for a possession.
- Deuteronomy 10:11
And Jehovah said unto me, Arise, take thy journey before the people; and they shall go in and possess the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give unto them.
- Exodus 6:7
and I will take you to me for a people, and I will be to you a God; and ye shall know that I am Jehovah your God, who bringeth you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians.
- 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.
- Genesis 17:16
And I will bless her, and moreover I will give thee a son of her: yea, I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of peoples shall be of her.
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