Devine Scripture

Acts 7:6

What does Acts 7:6 mean?

A plain-English look at Acts 7:6 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Acts 7:6 means

God foretold that Abraham’s descendants would be strangers in a foreign land, oppressed for four hundred years. Stephen reminds the council that suffering was part of God’s revealed plan, not a detour. The promise to Abraham included affliction before inheritance. This frames Israel’s hardships as under sovereign foresight and care. The number “four hundred” marks a long season, teaching patience and hope. Stephen’s argument grows: if bondage did not negate the promise, neither should present opposition to Jesus trouble those who believe. God’s story often passes through trial before triumph; His people are called to trust His timeline and wisdom.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And 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.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And God spake on this wise, That his seed should sojourn in a strange land; and that they should bring them into bondage, and entreat them evil four hundred years.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And 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.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And God said that his seed would be living in a strange land, and that they would make them servants, and be cruel to them for four hundred years.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

`And God spake thus, That his seed shall be sojourning in a strange land, and they shall cause it to serve, and shall do it evil four hundred years,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And God said to him: That his seed should sojourn in a strange country, and that they should bring them under bondage and treat them evil four hundred years.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

AndGod spoke thus: His seed shall be a sojourner in a strange land, and they shall enslave them and evil entreat [them] four hundred years;

Context

After emphasizing delayed possession in verse 5, Stephen adds the predicted affliction in verse 6. The narrative is moving toward the Exodus: a long oppression precedes deliverance. Verse 7 will complete the pattern with God’s judgment on the oppressing nation and Israel’s worship in the promised place. By presenting this divinely-scripted arc, Stephen shows that God’s salvation history is purposeful, resilient, and often counterintuitive. This framework will become the lens through which the rejection of Joseph and Moses, and ultimately of Jesus, should be interpreted—as stages in God’s sovereign plan rather than defeats.

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.

v.6This passage

v.7And the nation to which they shall be in bondage will I judge, said God: and after that shall they come forth, and serve me in this place.

Cross references

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

  • Genesis 15:16

    And in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorite is not yet full.

  • Exodus 12:40

    Now the time that the children of Israel dwelt in Egypt was four hundred and thirty years.

  • Genesis 15:13

    And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be sojourners in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years;

  • Galatians 3:17

    Now this I say: A covenant confirmed beforehand by God, the law, which came four hundred and thirty years after, doth not disannul, so as to make the promise of none effect.

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