King James Version

What Does Acts 13:17 Mean?

Acts 13:17 in the King James Version says “The God of this people of Israel chose our fathers, and exalted the people when they dwelt as strangers in the land of E... — study this verse from Acts chapter 13 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

The God of this people of Israel chose our fathers, and exalted the people when they dwelt as strangers in the land of Egypt, and with an high arm brought he them out of it.

Acts 13:17 · KJV


Context

15

And after the reading of the law and the prophets the rulers of the synagogue sent unto them, saying, Ye men and brethren, if ye have any word of exhortation for the people, say on.

16

Then Paul stood up, and beckoning with his hand said, Men of Israel, and ye that fear God, give audience.

17

The God of this people of Israel chose our fathers, and exalted the people when they dwelt as strangers in the land of Egypt, and with an high arm brought he them out of it.

18

And about the time of forty years suffered he their manners in the wilderness. suffered: or bore, or fed them as a nurse beareth, or feedeth, her child

19

And when he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Chanaan, he divided their land to them by lot.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The God of this people of Israel chose our fathers—Paul begins his synagogue address at Pisidian Antioch by grounding Israel's identity in divine election (ἐξελέξατο, exelexato). This verb emphasizes God's sovereign choice, not human merit—the same election theology Paul develops in Romans 9-11.

Exalted the people when they dwelt as strangers (ὕψωσεν τὸν λαὸν ἐν τῇ παροικίᾳ, hypsōsen ton laon en tē paroikia)—God elevated Israel during their Egyptian oppression, multiplying them despite Pharaoh's genocidal policies (Exodus 1:7-12). With an high arm (μετὰ βραχίονος ὑψηλοῦ, meta brachionos hypselou) recalls the Exodus imagery of God's outstretched arm—divine power overcoming human tyranny. Paul's rehearsal of salvation history will climax in verses 38-39, showing Jesus as the ultimate fulfillment of God's covenant promises to the fathers.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Paul delivered this sermon around AD 47-48 during his first missionary journey. Speaking in a diaspora synagogue, he follows the synagogue homily pattern: recite salvation history, then apply it christologically. His Gentile audience ("those who fear God," v. 16) needed this redemptive-historical framework to understand Jesus as Israel's promised Messiah and Savior of the world.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Paul's emphasis on God's sovereign election in Israel's history challenge works-based religion?
  2. In what ways does your own spiritual journey reflect God exalting you 'when you dwelt as a stranger' in bondage to sin?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 28 words
1 of 28
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

θεὸς2 of 28

The God

G2316

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

τοῦ3 of 28
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

λαὸν4 of 28

people

G2992

a people (in general; thus differing from g1218, which denotes one's own populace)

τούτου5 of 28

of this

G5127

of (from or concerning) this (person or thing)

Ἰσραὴλ6 of 28

of Israel

G2474

israel (i.e., jisrael), the adopted name of jacob, including his descendants (literally or figuratively)

ἐξελέξατο7 of 28

chose

G1586

to select

τοὺς8 of 28
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πατέρας9 of 28

fathers

G3962

a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)

ἡμῶν10 of 28

our

G2257

of (or from) us

καὶ11 of 28

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

τὸν12 of 28
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

λαὸν13 of 28

people

G2992

a people (in general; thus differing from g1218, which denotes one's own populace)

ὕψωσεν14 of 28

exalted

G5312

to elevate (literally or figuratively)

ἐν15 of 28

in

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

τῇ16 of 28
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

παροικίᾳ17 of 28

they dwelt as strangers

G3940

foreign residence

ἐν18 of 28

in

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

γῇ19 of 28

the land

G1093

soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe (including the occupants in each application)

Αἰγύπτῳ,20 of 28

of Egypt

G125

aegyptus, the land of the nile

καὶ21 of 28

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

μετὰ22 of 28

with

G3326

properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)

βραχίονος23 of 28

arm

G1023

the arm, i.e., (figuratively) strength

ὑψηλοῦ24 of 28

an high

G5308

lofty (in place or character)

ἐξήγαγεν25 of 28

brought he

G1806

to lead forth

αὐτῆς26 of 28

it

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ἐξ27 of 28

out of

G1537

a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct

αὐτῆς28 of 28

it

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Acts. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Acts 13:17 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Acts 13:17 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Places in This Verse

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