King James Version

What Does Acts 7:34 Mean?

Acts 7:34 in the King James Version says “I have seen, I have seen the affliction of my people which is in Egypt, and I have heard their groaning, and am come dow... — study this verse from Acts chapter 7 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

I have seen, I have seen the affliction of my people which is in Egypt, and I have heard their groaning, and am come down to deliver them. And now come, I will send thee into Egypt.

Acts 7:34 · KJV


Context

32

Saying, I am the God of thy fathers, the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. Then Moses trembled , and durst not behold.

33

Then said the Lord to him, Put off thy shoes from thy feet: for the place where thou standest is holy ground.

34

I have seen, I have seen the affliction of my people which is in Egypt, and I have heard their groaning, and am come down to deliver them. And now come, I will send thee into Egypt.

35

This Moses whom they refused, saying, Who made thee a ruler and a judge? the same did God send to be a ruler and a deliverer by the hand of the angel which appeared to him in the bush.

36

He brought them out, after that he had shewed wonders and signs in the land of Egypt, and in the Red sea, and in the wilderness forty years.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
God declares He has 'seen' and 'heard' Israel's affliction, demonstrating His omniscience and compassion. The phrase 'I have seen' uses the Hebrew intensive form, emphasizing careful observation. God's commission to Moses ('come now, I will send you') shows divine sovereignty in election - God chooses the deliverer and empowers the mission. The deliverance would not be Moses' work but God's work through Moses. Reformed theology emphasizes that God's sovereign choice and effectual calling enable the work of redemption.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Israel had been in Egyptian bondage approximately 400 years as God foretold to Abraham (Genesis 15:13). The oppression intensified under new pharaohs who 'knew not Joseph' (Exodus 1:8), likely during Egypt's Nineteenth Dynasty.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's 'seeing' and 'hearing' comfort those suffering injustice today?
  2. What does God's commissioning of Moses teach about divine sovereignty in calling?
  3. In what ways does this deliverance from Egypt foreshadow Christ's greater deliverance from sin?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 26 words
εἶδον1 of 26

I have seen

G1492

used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl

εἶδον2 of 26

I have seen

G1492

used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl

τοῦ3 of 26

which

G3588

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

κάκωσιν4 of 26

the affliction

G2561

maltreatment

τοῦ5 of 26

which

G3588

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

λαοῦ6 of 26

people

G2992

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

μου7 of 26

of my

G3450

of me

τοῦ8 of 26

which

G3588

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

ἐν9 of 26

is in

G1722

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

Αἴγυπτον10 of 26

Egypt

G125

aegyptus, the land of the nile

καὶ11 of 26

And

G2532

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

τοῦ12 of 26

which

G3588

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

στεναγμοῦ13 of 26

groaning

G4726

a sigh

αὐτούς·14 of 26

their

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

ἤκουσα15 of 26

I have heard

G191

to hear (in various senses)

καὶ16 of 26

And

G2532

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

κατέβην17 of 26

am come down

G2597

to descend (literally or figuratively)

ἐξελέσθαι18 of 26

to deliver

G1807

actively, to tear out; middle voice, to select; figuratively, to release

αὐτούς·19 of 26

their

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

καὶ20 of 26

And

G2532

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

νῦν21 of 26

now

G3568

"now" (as adverb of date, a transition or emphasis); also as noun or adjective present or immediate

δεῦρο22 of 26

come

G1204

here; used also imperative hither!; and of time, hitherto

ἀποστέλω23 of 26

I will send

G649

set apart, i.e., (by implication) to send out (properly, on a mission) literally or figuratively

σε24 of 26

thee

G4571

thee

εἰς25 of 26

into

G1519

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

Αἴγυπτον26 of 26

Egypt

G125

aegyptus, the land of the nile


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 7:34 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 7:34 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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