King James Version

What Does Acts 7:19 Mean?

Acts 7:19 in the King James Version says “The same dealt subtilly with our kindred, and evil entreated our fathers, so that they cast out their young children, to... — study this verse from Acts chapter 7 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

The same dealt subtilly with our kindred, and evil entreated our fathers, so that they cast out their young children, to the end they might not live.

Acts 7:19 · KJV


Context

17

But when the time of the promise drew nigh, which God had sworn to Abraham, the people grew and multiplied in Egypt,

18

Till another king arose, which knew not Joseph.

19

The same dealt subtilly with our kindred, and evil entreated our fathers, so that they cast out their young children, to the end they might not live.

20

In which time Moses was born, and was exceeding fair, and nourished up in his father's house three months: exceeding fair: or, fair to God

21

And when he was cast out, Pharaoh's daughter took him up, and nourished him for her own son.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Pharaoh's 'subtil' dealings (Greek: katasophizomai, outwitting through cunning) reveal satanic opposition to God's covenant people. The evil treatment—forcing Hebrews to cast out infants—represents demonic attack on covenant seed, paralleling Herod's later infanticide targeting Christ. Satan consistently attacks God's promises through destroying covenant children. Yet God's purposes cannot be thwarted; Moses survived, and Israel multiplied despite genocide.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Exodus 1:15-22 details Pharaoh's genocidal policy: first commanding Hebrew midwives to kill male infants at birth, then ordering all Hebrew boys cast into the Nile. This combined population control with religious terrorism (the Nile was deified in Egyptian religion). Archaeological evidence shows harsh labor conditions for Semitic slaves in Egypt during this period.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Pharaoh's infanticide reveal Satan's consistent strategy of attacking covenant promises through destroying children?
  2. What encouragement does God's preservation of Moses despite genocide give us when facing overwhelming opposition?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 19 words
οὗτος1 of 19

The same

G3778

the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)

κατασοφισάμενος2 of 19

dealt subtilly

G2686

to be crafty against, i.e., circumvent

τὸ3 of 19
G3588

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

γένος4 of 19

kindred

G1085

"kin" (abstract or concrete, literal or figurative, individual or collective)

ἡμῶν5 of 19

our

G2257

of (or from) us

ἐκάκωσεν6 of 19

and evil entreated

G2559

to injure; figuratively, to exasperate

τοὺς7 of 19
G3588

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

πατέρας8 of 19

fathers

G3962

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

ἡμῶν9 of 19

our

G2257

of (or from) us

τοῦ10 of 19
G3588

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

ποιεῖν11 of 19

so that

G4160

to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)

ἔκθετα12 of 19

they cast out

G1570

put out, i.e., exposed to perish

τὰ13 of 19
G3588

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

βρέφη14 of 19

young children

G1025

an infant (properly, unborn) literally or figuratively

αὐτῶν15 of 19
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

εἰς16 of 19

to the end

G1519

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

τὸ17 of 19
G3588

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

μὴ18 of 19

not

G3361

(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether

ζῳογονεῖσθαι19 of 19

live

G2225

to engender alive, i.e., (by analogy) to rescue (passively, be saved) from death


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 7:19 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 7:19 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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