Apostelgeschichte 7:53

53 die ihr das Gesetz durch Anordnung von Engeln empfangen und nicht beobachtet habt.

Apostelgeschichte 7:53 Meaning and Commentary

Acts 7:53

Who have received the law, by the disposition of angels,
&c.] Who attended the angel that spake to Moses on Mount Sinai, ( Acts 7:38 ) who is the head of all principality and power, and whom he might make use of in giving the law to Moses: hence the law is said to be ordained by angels, in the hand of a Mediator, and is called the word spoken by angels, ( Galatians 3:19 ) ( Hebrews 2:2 ) and certain it is, that there were great numbers of angels on Mount Sinai, when the law was given, ( Deuteronomy 33:2 ) ( Psalms 68:17 ) And so the Jews say F13, that

``when the holy blessed God descended on Mount Sinai, there came down with him many companies of angels, Michael and his company, and Gabriel and his company''

Indeed they often say F14,

``the law was not given to the ministering angels:''

their meaning is, it was not given to them to observe and keep, because there are some things in it, which do not concern angels; but then it might be given to them to deliver to Moses, who gave it to the Israelites, and so may be said to receive it by the ministration of angels, through the hands of Moses. And now the law being given and received in so grand a manner, was an aggravation of the sin of the Jews in violating it, as it follows:

and have not kept it;
but broke it in innumerable instances, and scarce kept it in any; for no man can keep it perfectly.


FOOTNOTES:

F13 Debarim Rabba, sect. 2. fol. 237. 3.
F14 T. Bab. Beracot, fol. 25. 2. Yoma. fol. 30. 1. Kiddushin, fol. 54. 1.

Apostelgeschichte 7:53 In-Context

51 Ihr Halsstarrigen und Unbeschnittenen an Herz und Ohren! Ihr widerstreitet allezeit dem Heiligen Geiste; wie eure Väter, so auch ihr.
52 Welchen der Propheten haben eure Väter nicht verfolgt? Und sie haben die getötet, welche die Ankunft des Gerechten zuvor verkündigten, dessen Verräter und Mörder ihr jetzt geworden seid,
53 die ihr das Gesetz durch Anordnung von Engeln empfangen und nicht beobachtet habt.
54 Als sie aber dies hörten, wurden ihre Herzen durchbohrt, und sie knirschten mit den Zähnen gegen ihn.
55 Als er aber, voll Heiligen Geistes, unverwandt gen Himmel schaute, sah er die Herrlichkeit Gottes, und Jesum zur Rechten Gottes stehen;
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