Acts 7:48

48 But the Most High does not live in [houses] made by human hands, just as the prophet says,

Acts 7:48 Meaning and Commentary

Acts 7:48

Howbeit the most High dwelleth not in temples made with
hands
Such an one as Solomon's was; he did indeed dwell in his temple, but he was not confined to it, nor included in it, or circumscribed by it; and so much Solomon himself suggests, when he expresses his wonder at his dwelling on earth, seeing the heaven of heavens could not contain him, and still less the house which he had built, ( 1 Kings 8:27 ) , (Nwyle) , "the most High", is one of the names of God, ( Genesis 14:18 Genesis 14:19 Genesis 14:22 ) the Apostle Paul says the same of God as Stephen does here; ( Acts 17:24 ) "as saith the prophet"; the prophet Isaiah, ( Isaiah 66:1 Isaiah 66:2 ) .

Acts 7:48 In-Context

46 who found favor in the sight of God and asked to find a habitation for the God of Jacob.
47 But Solomon built a house for him.
48 But the Most High does not live in [houses] made by human hands, just as the prophet says,
49 'Heaven [is] my throne and earth [is] the footstool for my feet. What kind of house will you build for me, says the Lord, or what [is the] place of my rest?
50 Did not my hand make all these [things]?'

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. Or "temples made by human hands"; either word ("houses" or "temples") is understood here
Scripture quotations marked (LEB) are from the Lexham English Bible. Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software. Lexham is a registered trademark of Logos Bible Software.