Acts 7:6
And God spake on this wise, That his seed should sojourn in a strange land; and that they should bring them into bondage, and entreat them evil four hundred years.
Acts 7:6 (KJV)
Context
Stephen, a leader in the early church, stands before the high priest and the council of elders, reviewing Israel’s history from Abraham onward. He quotes God’s promise to Abraham, echoing Genesis 15:13-14. In Acts 7:5, God had just told Abraham that he would receive no inheritance in the land, yet promised it to his descendants. Verse 6 explains the interim period: Abraham’s seed would sojourn in a strange land, be brought into bondage, and be treated evil for four hundred years. The Greek word for “sojourn” (πάροικον) means temporary residence, like a traveler or foreigner, not a permanent home. The “strange land” belongs to others, not to Abraham’s family.
Meaning
God revealed to Abraham that his descendants would be enslaved and mistreated in a foreign land for four hundred years. This prophecy was fulfilled when the Israelites were subjected to harsh bondage in Egypt under Pharaoh. Their eventual liberation, the Exodus led by Moses, stands as a central event of the Old Testament and a powerful symbol of God’s redemptive power and His desire to set His people free.
The four hundred years is the period of affliction, as recorded in Exodus 12:40. This promise demonstrates God’s sovereign knowledge and control over history—He foretold the suffering before it happened. The verse also highlights the testing of Abraham’s faith: the promise of land seemed contrary to the prophecy of bondage in a strange country.
Biblical connections
By recalling this history, Stephen shows a recurring pattern: God’s messengers are repeatedly rejected and persecuted. He draws a clear parallel between the suffering of the prophets in Israel’s past and the present rejection of Jesus by the religious leaders of his day. The verse therefore does more than recount a historical fact; it underscores God’s sovereignty, His unwavering faithfulness to the promises made to Abraham, and His ability to deliver His people from oppression.
Application
Acts 7:6 reminds believers that God’s covenantal promises endure through suffering. God’s purposes often include a period of trial before fulfillment. Just as He judged the nation that oppressed His people (as stated in Acts 7:7), He remains faithful to deliver those who trust in Him. The passage assures us that divine judgment follows prolonged oppression, and ultimate deliverance is certain for those who rely on God’s promises.
Reflection
Stephen uses Acts 7:6 as a foundational reference that validates his defense of Jesus. The verse calls us to trust God’s timing, even when His plan includes hardship. It encourages us to see our own trials as part of a larger redemptive story, knowing that God’s faithfulness is not diminished by suffering but is often revealed through it.
