Bible Strands
Acts 7:19
He exploited our people and oppressed our fathers, forcing them to abandon their infants so they would die.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Stephen addresses the Sanhedrin, recounting the rise of a new Egyptian ruler who initiated systematic persecution against the Israelite ancestors.
The words — κατασοφισάμενος (katasophisamenos) denotes dealing treacherously with the nation, while ἐκάκωσεν (ekakōsen) specifies the active mistreatment of the fathers.
The thread — The pattern of hostile conspiracy against God’s people appears in Psalms 105:25 and Psalms 83:4, while Exodus 1:9 records the king’s observation of Israel’s growing numbers and power.
Why it lands — The text demands recognition that divine deliverance consistently emerges from historical oppression, requiring readers to acknowledge God’s sovereignty over human hostility.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
The same dealt subtilly with our kindred, and evil entreated our fathers, so that they cast out their young children, to the end they might not live.
Cross-references
- Psalms 105:25 whose hearts He turned to hate His people, to conspire against His servants.
- Exodus 1:9 “Look,” he said to his people, “the Israelites have become too numerous and too powerful for us.
- Psalms 83:4 saying, “Come, let us erase them as a nation; may the name of Israel be remembered no more.”
- Revelation 12:4 His tail swept a third of the stars from the sky, hurling them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, ready to devour her child as soon as she gave birth.
- Psalms 129:1 A song of ascents. Many a time they have persecuted me from my youth—let Israel now declare—