THEOSISJohn Chrysostom
Notice that God did not multiply them during all those years, but when the end was already about to draw near, though in all they had lived in Egypt four hundred years and more. This is what is wonderful.
Acts 7:17Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers
And when the time of the promise drew near, which God had promised to Abraham, the people increased and were multiplied in Egypt.
καθως δε ηγγιζεν ο χρονος της επαγγελιας ης ωμοσεν ο θεος τω αβρααμ ηυξησεν ο λαος και επληθυνθη εν αιγυπτω
The Church Fathers on this verse
5 Church Fathers comment on this verse
Theophylact of Bulgaria
The expression "the time of the promise drew near" does not indicate that they multiplied throughout four hundred years. Rather, it indicates that the end was about to draw near, since four hundred and more years had passed in Egypt. "The people grew and multiplied in Egypt."
Bogolepow D.P.
In the speech which Stephen delivered in the hall of the Sanhedrin, in answer to the high priest’s interrogation, he recalled before his judges the history of the people of God. He began with their forefather Abraham and ended with Solomon (vv. 1-50).
In conclusion he reproached the persecutors of Christians for their resistance to the Holy Spirit, Who was calling them to salvation (vv. 51-53).
Stephen’s speech is both defensive and accusatory. The accusation reported that he had spoken blasphemous words against the Law of Moses and the Jerusalem temple, and against Moses and God.
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The basis for this charge was that, in disputing with the Jews, Stephen had expressed the thought that the Law of Moses was abolished in the New Testament. This included all its many ordinances and institutions, not excluding the Jerusalem temple.
That temple was now no longer the only place of true worship (Jn 4:21 and following).
Stephen now briefly recounts the history of God’s divine economy for the salvation of Israel. By the mere presentation of this history, he defends himself against the charge of blasphemy.
Through it he makes clear what God he confesses and how he confesses Him. For this purpose, among other things, at the beginning of his speech he calls God “the God of glory” (v. 2).
By this he shows with what reverence he treats this holy Name. Then, by pointing in the history of Israel to the world-governing right hand of God, he confesses still more clearly the whole majesty of God.
Michail (Lusin)
"For the promise to be fulfilled" refers to what Stephen indicated above in verse 6. It is the promise that Abraham's descendants, after the time of their sojourning in a foreign land, would go out from there and be freed from oppression (Gen 15:13-14).
Nikanor (Kamenski)
The connection between the promise and the multiplication of the Hebrews shows that this multiplication occurred precisely in fulfillment of the promise.
It is also mentioned intentionally that this promise was given with an oath. Therefore it was unquestionably unchangeable and had inevitably to be fulfilled, and without delay (compare Heb. 6:10-17).
The charm of Joseph’s strength and power, however great it was, was nevertheless quickly passing, especially after his death.
Concerning the oath, St. John Chrysostom says: “God does not look to His own dignity, but, in order to persuade men, He permits even what is unworthy to be said of Himself. He does this to give them assurance.
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“In Abraham’s case, everything was God’s work, and not the work of Abraham’s long-suffering. When God Himself was pleased to add an oath, then, just as men swear, God also swore by Himself.
“Men swear by Him as the greater. He swears not by one greater, and yet He fulfilled it.
“The oath is not the same with man and with God, because man has no authority over himself. Since the human race is distrustful, God condescends to what belongs to us.
“He swears for our sake, although distrust toward Him is unworthy of Him” (see Homilies on Hebrews, on ch. 6, vv. 16-17).
Cross references
Passages read together with this verse.
- Acts 7:6And 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.
- Ex 1:7The children of Israel increased, and sprung up into multitudes, and growing exceedingly strong they filled the land.
- Ex 1:12But the more they oppressed them, the more they were multiplied and increased.
- Acts 13:17The God of the people of Israel chose our fathers and exalted the people when they were sojourners in the land of Egypt: And with an high arm brought them out from thence:
- 2 Pet 3:8But of this one thing be not ignorant, my beloved, that one day with the Lord is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
- 2 Pet 3:9The Lord delayeth not his promise, as some imagine, but dealeth patiently for your sake, not willing that any should perish, but that all should return to penance,
- Ps 105 (104):24
- Ps 105 (104):25
The original text
Greek text, 20 words with lemma, transliteration and Strong’s number. Tap to expand.
- Καθὼςkathōsjust asG2531 · καθώς
- δὲdebutG1161 · δέ
- ἤγγιζενēngizenI come nearG1448 · ἐγγίζω
- ὁhotheG3588 · ὁ
- χρόνοςchronostimeG5550 · χρόνος
- τῆςtēstheG3588 · ὁ
- ἐπαγγελίαςepangeliasa promiseG1860 · ἐπαγγελία
- ἧςhēswhoG3739 · ὅς, ἥ
- ὡμολόγησενhōmologēsenI confessG3670 · ὁμολογέω
- ὁhotheG3588 · ὁ
- ΘεὸςtheosGodG2316 · θεός
- τῷtōtheG3588 · ὁ
- ἈβραάμabraamAbrahamG11 · Ἀβραάμ
- ηὔξησενēuxēsenI cause to increaseG837 · αὐξάνω
- ὁhotheG3588 · ὁ
- λαὸςlaosa peopleG2992 · λαός
- καὶkaiandG2532 · καί
- ἐπληθύνθηeplēthynthēI increaseG4129 · πληθύνω
- ἐνeninG1722 · ἐν
- ΑἰγύπτῳaigyptōEgyptG125 · Αἴγυπτος