What does Acts 7:21 mean?

Explanation

Acts 7:21 refers to an episode in the life of Moses described in the New Testament during the speech of Stephen before the Sanhedrin.

The verse recounts the early life of Moses, stating that after he was cast out by his Hebrew family to save him from Pharaoh's decree to kill all Hebrew male infants, he was found and adopted by Pharaoh's daughter. She then raised Moses as her own son within the Egyptian royal palace.

This verse not only narrates a historical event but also indicates a divine providence in the life of Moses where his life is spared and he is given a place of privilege in Egyptian society, which would later on equip him for his role as a leader of the Israelites.

Historical Context

This verse from Acts is a summary of the more detailed account in Exodus 2:1-10, which describes the birth and preservation of Moses during a time of persecution of the Israelites by the Egyptians.

The Pharaoh had ordered the death of all male Hebrew infants to control the population of the Hebrews, but Moses' mother took measures to preserve his life.

Stephen's speech in Acts 7 recites the history of the Israelite people to their current leaders, making a point about the recurrent rejection of divinely appointed saviors by their own.

Theological Insights

The verse brings various theological themes to mind, such as God's sovereignty and God's providence.

From a Christian perspective, Moses is often seen as a type of Christ, who was preserved from death in his infancy to become the deliverer of his people.

Just as Moses was saved by the daughter of Pharaoh and raised in Egypt only to later deliver the Israelites from slavery, Jesus was taken to Egypt to be protected from Herod's massacre of the infants and would eventually save humanity from sin.

Practical Applications

The story of Moses being taken in by Pharaoh's daughter can teach an individual about the unexpected ways in which God can work in someone's life.

It serves to remind believers that they may find support and safety in the most unexpected places, and it encourages openness to God’s plans, which might be realized through unconventional means.

Cross-References

• Exodus 2:10: "And the child grew, and she brought him unto Pharaoh's daughter, and he became her son.

And she called his name Moses: and she said, Because I drew him out of the water."

• Hebrews 11:23-24: "By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment.

By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter;"

Language Study

The key word in this verse is "nourished" (Greek: ἐξεθρέφετο, exethrepheto), which indicates not only physical sustenance but also education and upbringing.

This word emphasizes that Moses was not merely saved from death but was given the upbringing of an Egyptian prince.

Understanding this term helps one see the full magnitude of the transformation that Moses underwent in Pharaoh's house, underscoring both the privilege and the cultural disconnect he would have faced as a Hebrew child in an Egyptian world.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

The tale of a hero being cast out in their infancy, only to be saved and raised by others, is a common motif in many ancient myths.

In the Sargon legend from Mesopotamia, the Akkadian ruler Sargon was said to have been set adrift in a basket on the river by his mother and subsequently raised by Aqqi, a water drawer.

This common narrative arc speaks to themes of destiny, chosenness, and the idea that divine powers can work through human history in extraordinary ways.

Scientific Perspectives

From a modern scientific or historical perspective, the account of Moses being adopted by an Egyptian princess cannot be confirmed independently outside the biblical text. Archaeology and Egyptology have not provided direct evidence for many of the specific events described in the Exodus narrative.

Commentaries

Biblical scholars and theologians have interpreted Acts 7:21 in various ways.

Some stress the providential nature of Moses's adoption, seeing it as an integral part of God's plan for the Israelites' eventual liberation from Egypt.

Others interpret the verse in light of the broader scriptural narrative, emphasizing Moses's identity crisis being raised in Pharaoh's household yet belonging to the Hebrews, which adds complexity to his character and his later decisions.

Generally, commentators agree on the significance of Moses' upbringing as it equipped him with the necessary knowledge and skills to become a leader.