Acts 7:22

22 Moses was educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians and was powerful in speech and action.

Acts 7:22 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
22 And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and in deeds.
English Standard Version (ESV)
22 And Moses was instructed in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and he was mighty in his words and deeds.
New Living Translation (NLT)
22 Moses was taught all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and he was powerful in both speech and action.
The Message Bible (MSG)
22 Moses was educated in the best schools in Egypt. He was equally impressive as a thinker and an athlete.
American Standard Version (ASV)
22 And Moses was instructed in all the wisdom of the Egyptians; and he was mighty in his words and works.
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
22 So Moses was educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians and became a great man in what he said and did.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
22 So Moses was educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was powerful in his speech and actions.
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
22 Moses was taught all the knowledge of the people of Egypt. He became a powerful speaker and a man of action.

Acts 7:22 Meaning and Commentary

Acts 7:22

And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians,
&c,] Which was reckoned very considerable: ( 1 Kings 4:30 ) Philo the Jew says F5 that he learned arithmetic, geometry, and every branch of music, the hieroglyphics, the Assyrian language, and the Chaldean knowledge of the heavens, and the mathematics; yet was not a magician, or skilled in unlawful arts, as Justin suggests F6:

and was mighty in words;
he had a command of language, and a large flow of words, and could speak properly and pertinently upon any subject; for though he was slow of speech, and of tongue, and might have somewhat of a stammering in speaking, yet he might have a just diction, a masculine style, and a powerful eloquence, and the matter he delivered might be very great and striking:

and in deeds;
or in "his deeds", as the Alexandrian copy, the Vulgate Latin, Syriac, and Ethiopic versions read: he was a man of great abilities, and fit for business both in the cabinet and in the field. Josephus F7 relates an expedition of his against the Ethiopians, whilst he was in Pharaoh's court, in which he obtained victory over them, when the Egyptians had been greatly oppressed by them; in which his prudence and fortitude were highly commended.


FOOTNOTES:

F5 De Vita Mosis, l. 1. p. 606. Clement. Alex. Strom. l. 1. p. 343.
F6 L. 36. c. 2.
F7 Antiqu l. 2. c. 10. sect. 1. 2. 3.

Acts 7:22 In-Context

20 “At that time Moses was born, and he was no ordinary child. For three months he was cared for by his family.
21 When he was placed outside, Pharaoh’s daughter took him and brought him up as her own son.
22 Moses was educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians and was powerful in speech and action.
23 “When Moses was forty years old, he decided to visit his own people, the Israelites.
24 He saw one of them being mistreated by an Egyptian, so he went to his defense and avenged him by killing the Egyptian.

Cross References 1

  • 1. 1 Kings 4:30; Isaiah 19:11
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