Acts 7:39

The Rebellion of Israel

39 But our fathers refused to obey him. Instead, they rejected him and in their hearts turned back to Egypt. ¹

Acts 7:39 Meaning and Commentary

Acts 7:39

To whom our fathers would not obey
But often murmured against him, and were disobedient to him, and to the oracles he delivered to them, and so to God, whose oracles they were:

but thrust him from them;
as one of the two Hebrews did, when he interposed to make up the difference between them; and which was an emblem and presage of what that people would afterwards do; ( Acts 7:27 )

and in their hearts turned back again into Egypt;
they wished themselves there again, they lusted after the fish, the cucumbers, the melons, leeks, onions, and garlic there; and went so far as to move for a captain, and even to appoint one to lead them back thither again.

Acts 7:39 In-Context

37 This is the same Moses who told the Israelites, ‘God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your brothers.’

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.

39 But our fathers refused to obey him. Instead, they rejected him and in their hearts turned back to Egypt.

40 They said to Aaron, ‘Make us gods who will go before us! As for this Moses who led us out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has happened to him.’

41 At that time they made a calf and offered a sacrifice to the idol, rejoicing in the works of their hands.

Cross References

• 1. (Exodus 32:1–35; Deuteronomy 9:7–29; Amos 5:16–27)