Bible Strands
Acts 7:38
He was in the assembly in the wilderness with the angel who spoke to him on Mount Sinai, and with our fathers. And he received living words to pass on to us.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Stephen addresses the Sanhedrin during his trial, recounting Israel’s wilderness history to confront their pattern of rejecting God’s appointed mediators. He identifies Moses as the figure who stood among the gathered Israelites and received divine instruction on their behalf.
The words — ἐκκλησίᾳ (ekklēsia) translates literally as “congregation” or “assembly,” referring to the organized community of Israel. The phrase “living words” (λόγια ζῶντα) denotes the oracles Moses received from God and was commanded to transmit.
The thread — This assembly language directly recalls Deuteronomy 33:4, which assigns Moses’ law to the congregation of Jacob. The theme of entrusted divine instruction aligns with Romans 3:2, which states the Israelites were given the very words of God.
Why it lands — The text records that Moses delivered God’s instruction to a wilderness community that repeatedly refused to obey him. Readers must confront their own posture toward divine revelation, recognizing that preservation of tradition does not guarantee obedience.
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
This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us:
Cross-references
- Romans 3:2 Much in every way. First of all, they have been entrusted with the very words of God.
- Hebrews 5:12 Although by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to reteach you the basic principles of God’s word. You need milk, not solid food!
- Deuteronomy 33:4 the law that Moses gave us, the possession of the assembly of Jacob.
- John 1:17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
- Acts 7:53 you who received the law ordained by angels, yet have not kept it.”
- 1 Peter 4:11 If anyone speaks, he should speak as one conveying the words of God. If anyone serves, he should serve with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.
- Deuteronomy 5:27 Go near and listen to all that the LORD our God says. Then you can tell us everything the LORD our God tells you; we will listen and obey.”
- Deuteronomy 6:1 These are the commandments and statutes and ordinances that the LORD your God has instructed me to teach you to follow in the land that you are about to enter and possess,
- Deuteronomy 32:46 he said to them, “Take to heart all the words I have solemnly declared to you this day, so that you may command your children to carefully follow all the words of this law.
- Isaiah 63:9 In all their distress, He too was afflicted, and the Angel of His Presence saved them. In His love and compassion He redeemed them; He lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.