King James Version

What Does Acts 26:7 Mean?

Acts 26:7 in the King James Version says “Unto which promise our twelve tribes, instantly serving God day and night, hope to come. For which hope's sake, king Agr...” — study this verse from Acts chapter 26 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“Unto which promise our twelve tribes, instantly serving God day and night, hope to come. For which hope's sake, king Agrippa, I am accused of the Jews. day and night: Gr. night and day”

Acts 26:7 · KJV

Hope

Context

5

Which knew me from the beginning, if they would testify, that after the most straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.

6

And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers:

7

Unto which promise our twelve tribes, instantly serving God day and night, hope to come. For which hope's sake, king Agrippa, I am accused of the Jews. day and night: Gr. night and day

8

Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead?

9

I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.

Read Acts 26 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Unto which promise our twelve tribes, instantly serving God day and night, hope to come—Paul identifies himself with Israel's messianic hope, using dodekaphylon (δωδεκάφυλον, "twelve tribes") to emphasize the continuity between Israel and the church. The word en ekteneia (ἐν ἐκτενείᾳ, "instantly/earnestly") describes intense, continuous worship—the same root used of Jesus praying in agony (Luke 22:44). Paul's point is devastating: he is accused of believing what faithful Jews have always believed—resurrection and Messiah.

For which hope's sake, king Agrippa, I am accused of the Jews—The Greek peri hēs elpidos (περὶ ἧς ἐλπίδος, "concerning which hope") is emphatic. Paul faces persecution not for abandoning Judaism but for fulfilling it. The irony is sharp: those who claim to serve the God of Abraham now prosecute the one who proclaims Abraham's promises fulfilled in Christ (Galatians 3:16). This echoes Stephen's accusation that the religious establishment always resists the Holy Spirit (Acts 7:51).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Paul spoke these words circa AD 59-60 before Herod Agrippa II (great-grandson of Herod the Great) and the Roman governor Festus in Caesarea. Agrippa was considered an expert in Jewish customs (26:3), making him an ideal audience for Paul's argument. The "twelve tribes" language was still meaningful despite the northern kingdom's exile—pious Jews maintained tribal identity and awaited national restoration.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Paul's defense challenge the false dichotomy between Christianity and faithful Judaism?
  2. What does it mean that the resurrection hope was central to ancient Jewish worship "day and night"—and should it be equally central to yours?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 22 words
εἰς1 of 22

“Unto”

G1519

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

ἧς2 of 22

“which”

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

τὸ3 of 22
G3588

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

δωδεκάφυλον4 of 22

“twelve tribes”

G1429

the commonwealth of israel

ἡμῶν5 of 22

“promise our”

G2257

of (or from) us

ἐν6 of 22

“instantly”

G1722

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

ἐκτενείᾳ7 of 22
G1616

intentness

νύκτα8 of 22

“night”

G3571

"night" (literally or figuratively)

καὶ9 of 22

“and”

G2532

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

ἡμέραν10 of 22

“God day”

G2250

day, i.e., (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the jews as inclusive of

λατρεῦον11 of 22

“serving”

G3000

to minister (to god), i.e., render religious homage

ἐλπίζει12 of 22

“hope”

G1679

to expect or confide

καταντῆσαι13 of 22

“to come”

G2658

to meet against, i.e., arrive at (literally or figuratively)

περὶ14 of 22

“For”

G4012

properly, through (all over), i.e., around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time (with the genitive cas

ἧς15 of 22

“which”

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

ἐλπίδος16 of 22

“hope's sake”

G1680

expectation (abstractly or concretely) or confidence

ἐγκαλοῦμαι17 of 22

“I am accused”

G1458

to call in (as a debt or demand), i.e., bring to account (charge, criminate, etc.)

βασιλεῦ18 of 22

“king”

G935

a sovereign (abstractly, relatively, or figuratively)

Ἀγρίππα19 of 22

“Agrippa”

G67

wild-horse tamer; agrippas, one of the herods

ὑπὸ20 of 22

“of”

G5259

under, i.e., (with the genitive case) of place (beneath), or with verbs (the agency or means, through); (with the accusative case) of place (whither (

τῶν21 of 22
G3588

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

Ἰουδαίων22 of 22

“the Jews”

G2453

judaean, i.e., belonging to jehudah

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 26:7 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 26:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

James 1:11 Timothy 5:5Philippians 3:11Luke 22:30Ezra 6:171 Thessalonians 3:10

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