But when the time of the promise drew nigh, which God had sworn to Abraham, the people grew and multiplied in Egypt,
Parallel translations
- WEB “But as the time of the promise came close which God had sworn to Abraham, the people grew and multiplied in Egypt,
- BSB As the time drew near for God to fulfill His promise to Abraham, our people in Egypt increased greatly in number.
- NKJV “But when the time of the promise drew near which God had sworn to Abraham, the people grew and multiplied in Egypt
- NASB “But as the time of the promise which God had assured to Abraham was approaching, the people increased and multiplied in Egypt,
- NLT “As the time drew near when God would fulfill his promise to Abraham, the number of our people in Egypt greatly increased.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
As the time of God's promise drew near, the people multiplied greatly in Egypt. God advances His promise right on schedule, even under bondage.
Overview
Stephen marks the approach of the appointed time for the exodus deliverance. Israel's growth in Egypt fulfills God's pledge to make Abraham's offspring numerous. The verse turns the history toward Moses and deliverance, continuing Stephen's argument that God's saving work unfolds according to His own faithful timing, ultimately in Christ.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 7
- Exod 1:7–12And the children of Israel were fruitful, and increased abundantly, and multiplied, and waxed exceeding mighty; and the land was filled with them.
- Acts 7:6And 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.
- Acts 13:17The God of this people of Israel chose our fathers, and exalted the people when they dwelt as strangers in the land of Egypt, and with an high arm brought he them out of it.
- Gen 15:13–16And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years;
- Ps 105:24–25And he increased his people greatly; and made them stronger than their enemies.
- Exod 1:20Therefore God dealt well with the midwives: and the people multiplied, and waxed very mighty.
- 2 Pet 3:8–9But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
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Christ at the center
Acts is the risen Christ continuing his work by the Spirit through the church, as the apostles preach that there is salvation in no other name under heaven.
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Original language
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