King James Version

What Does Acts 7:42 Mean?

Acts 7:42 in the King James Version says “Then God turned, and gave them up to worship the host of heaven; as it is written in the book of the prophets, O ye hous... — study this verse from Acts chapter 7 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

Then God turned, and gave them up to worship the host of heaven; as it is written in the book of the prophets, O ye house of Israel, have ye offered to me slain beasts and sacrifices by the space of forty years in the wilderness?

Acts 7:42 · KJV


Context

40

Saying unto Aaron, Make us gods to go before us: for as for this Moses, which brought us out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him.

41

And they made a calf in those days, and offered sacrifice unto the idol, and rejoiced in the works of their own hands.

42

Then God turned, and gave them up to worship the host of heaven; as it is written in the book of the prophets, O ye house of Israel, have ye offered to me slain beasts and sacrifices by the space of forty years in the wilderness?

43

Yea, ye took up the tabernacle of Moloch, and the star of your god Remphan, figures which ye made to worship them: and I will carry you away beyond Babylon.

44

Our fathers had the tabernacle of witness in the wilderness, as he had appointed, speaking unto Moses, that he should make it according to the fashion that he had seen. speaking: or, who spake


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Then God turned, and gave them up to worship the host of heaven; as it is written in the book of the prophets, O ye house of Israel, have ye offered to me slain beasts and sacrifices by the space of forty years in the wilderness? Stephen quotes Amos 5:25-27, showing divine judgment involves God withdrawing restraining grace and allowing sin's natural progression.

God turned expresses judicial abandonment—a terrifying theme in Scripture. When persistent rebellion meets divine patience's end, God gives people over to their chosen path (Romans 1:24, 26, 28). This isn't active punishment but removal of common grace that restrains evil. The phrase gave them up indicates permissive judgment—God allows what He could prevent.

Worship the host of heaven refers to astral deities—sun, moon, stars—common in ancient paganism. Israel's golden calf opened doors to deeper idolatry. Sin progression follows a pattern: initial compromise leads to greater corruption. Rejecting true worship doesn't produce neutrality but slavery to false worship.

The rhetorical question from Amos—have ye offered to me...sacrifices?—implies their wilderness sacrifices were tainted by divided hearts. External ritual performed while harboring secret idolatry doesn't constitute true worship. Reformed theology emphasizes covenant faithfulness requires undivided heart allegiance, not mere external compliance.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Amos prophesied around 760 BCE, addressing northern Israel's prosperity-accompanied-by-apostasy. His question challenges the assumption that wilderness-era Israel remained faithful—even then, hearts were divided between Yahweh and pagan deities.

Host of heaven worship infiltrated Israel repeatedly (2 Kings 17:16, 21:3). Deuteronomy 4:19 explicitly warned against this. The Babylonian exile (597-538 BCE) served as ultimate judgment for persistent idolatry. Stephen's quotation warns his audience: you're following the same trajectory that led to exile.

By 34-35 CE, when Stephen speaks, the temple still stands. Yet he prophesies (like Jesus) its coming destruction. Rejecting Messiah repeats the pattern that brought earlier judgments. God's patience has limits; persistent covenant unfaithfulness meets divine judgment.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does it mean that God 'gives people up' to their chosen sins, and how is this itself a form of judgment?
  2. How does initial compromise with sin open doors to deeper spiritual corruption?
  3. In what ways might external religious observance mask internal idolatry?
  4. What warnings does Israel's history provide about presuming on covenant privileges while harboring secret sins?
  5. How should the reality of divine judgment shape our view of persistent unbelief and apostasy?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 31 words
ἔστρεψεν1 of 31

turned

G4762

to twist, i.e., turn quite around or reverse (literally or figuratively)

δὲ2 of 31

Then

G1161

but, and, etc

3 of 31
G3588

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

θεὸς4 of 31

God

G2316

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

καὶ5 of 31

and

G2532

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

παρέδωκεν6 of 31

gave

G3860

to surrender, i.e yield up, entrust, transmit

αὐτοὺς7 of 31

them

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

λατρεύειν8 of 31

to worship

G3000

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

τῇ9 of 31
G3588

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

στρατιᾷ10 of 31

the host

G4756

from the base of g4766, as encamped); camp-likeness, i.e., an army, i.e., (figuratively) the angels, the celestial luminaries

τοῦ11 of 31
G3588

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

οὐρανοῦ12 of 31

of heaven

G3772

the sky; by extension, heaven (as the abode of god); by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the gospel (christianity)

καθὼς13 of 31

as it

G2531

just (or inasmuch) as, that

γέγραπται14 of 31

is written

G1125

to "grave", especially to write; figuratively, to describe

ἐν15 of 31

in

G1722

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

βίβλῳ16 of 31

the book

G976

a scroll

τῶν17 of 31
G3588

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

προφητῶν18 of 31

of the prophets

G4396

a foreteller ("prophet"); by analogy, an inspired speaker; by extension, a poet

Μὴ19 of 31

have ye offered

G3361

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

σφάγια20 of 31

slain beasts

G4968

a victim (in sacrifice)

καὶ21 of 31

and

G2532

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

θυσίας22 of 31

sacrifices

G2378

sacrifice (the act or the victim, literally or figuratively)

προσηνέγκατέ23 of 31
G4374

to bear towards, i.e., lead to, tender (especially to god), treat

μοι24 of 31

to me

G3427

to me

ἔτη25 of 31

years

G2094

a year

τεσσαράκοντα26 of 31

by the space of forty

G5062

forty

ἐν27 of 31

in

G1722

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

τῇ28 of 31
G3588

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

ἐρήμῳ29 of 31

the wilderness

G2048

lonesome, i.e., (by implication) waste (usually as a noun, g5561 being implied)

οἶκος30 of 31

O ye house

G3624

a dwelling (more or less extensive, literal or figurative); by implication, a family (more or less related, literally or figuratively)

Ἰσραήλ31 of 31

of Israel

G2474

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


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 7:42 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 7:42 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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