Acts 7:17

15 So Jacob went down to Egypt, where he and our fathers died.

16 Their bones were carried back to Shechem and placed in the tomb that Abraham had bought from the sons of Hamor at Shechem for a price he paid in silver.

As the time drew near for God to fulfill His promise to Abraham, our people in Egypt increased greatly in number.

18 Then another king, who knew nothing of Joseph, arose over Egypt.

19 He exploited our people and oppressed our fathers, forcing them to abandon their infants so they would die.

Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
As the time drew near for God to fulfill His promise to Abraham, our people in Egypt increased greatly in number.
KJV
But when the time of the promise drew nigh, which God had sworn to Abraham, the people grew and multiplied in Egypt,
WEB
“But as the time of the promise came close which God had sworn to Abraham, the people grew and multiplied in Egypt,
ASV
But as the time of the promise drew nigh which God vouchsafed unto Abraham, the people grew and multiplied in Egypt,
DARBY
But as the time of promise drew near which God had promised to Abraham, the people increased and multiplied in Egypt,
BLB
Now as the time of the promise that God swore to Abraham was drawing near, the people increased and multiplied in Egypt,
ÅB
Etter som nå tiden nærmet seg da det løfte skulle oppfylles som Gud hadde gitt Abraham, tok folket til og ble mannsterkt i Egypt,
OTB
«Da tiden nærmet seg for Gud å oppfylle sitt løfte til Abraham, økte folket vårt i Egypt sterkt.
B1930
Efter som nu tiden nærmet sig da det løfte skulde opfylles som Gud hadde gitt Abraham, tok folket til og blev mannsterkt i Egypten,

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Exodus 1:7–12

    but the Israelites were fruitful and increased rapidly; they multiplied and became exceedingly numerous, so that the land was filled with them.

    Read in context
  • Psalms 105:24–25

    And the LORD made His people very fruitful, more numerous than their foes,

    Read in context
  • Acts 7:6

    God told him that his descendants would be foreigners in a strange land, and that they would be enslaved and mistreated four hundred years.

    Read in context
  • Genesis 15:13–16

    Then the LORD said to Abram, “Know for certain that your descendants will be strangers in a land that is not their own, and they will be enslaved and mistreated four hundred years.

    Read in context
  • Acts 13:17

    The God of the people of Israel chose our fathers. He made them into a great people during their stay in Egypt, and with an uplifted arm He led them out of that land.

    Read in context
  • Exodus 1:20

    So God was good to the midwives, and the people multiplied and became even more numerous.

    Read in context
  • 2 Peter 3:8–9

    Beloved, do not let this one thing escape your notice: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.

    Read in context