King James Version

What Does Acts 7:45 Mean?

Acts 7:45 in the King James Version says “Which also our fathers that came after brought in with Jesus into the possession of the Gentiles, whom God drave out bef... — study this verse from Acts chapter 7 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

Which also our fathers that came after brought in with Jesus into the possession of the Gentiles, whom God drave out before the face of our fathers, unto the days of David; that: or, having received

Acts 7:45 · KJV


Context

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

45

Which also our fathers that came after brought in with Jesus into the possession of the Gentiles, whom God drave out before the face of our fathers, unto the days of David; that: or, having received

46

Who found favour before God, and desired to find a tabernacle for the God of Jacob.

47

But Solomon built him an house.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Which also our fathers that came after brought in with Jesus into the possession of the Gentiles, whom God drave out before the face of our fathers, unto the days of David. Stephen traces the tabernacle's journey from wilderness to promised land, connecting worship to conquest and eventual temple.

Brought in with Jesus refers to Joshua (Hebrew: Yehoshua, Greek: Iēsous)—same name as Jesus, signifying 'Yahweh saves.' This connection is typologically significant: Joshua led Israel into earthly promised land; Jesus leads believers into spiritual rest (Hebrews 4:8-11). The tabernacle accompanied conquest, symbolizing God's presence empowering victory.

Possession of the Gentiles refers to Canaan, occupied by pagan nations. God drave out indicates divine judgment on Canaanite wickedness while fulfilling promises to Abraham. This raises the theology of holy war—God's sovereign right to judge nations and give their land to His chosen people.

Unto the days of David establishes timeline—roughly 1010-970 BCE when David consolidated the kingdom and desired to build a permanent temple. The progression shows God's faithfulness: wilderness wandering → conquest → established kingdom → permanent worship center. Yet Stephen will argue even the temple was never meant to limit God's presence.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Joshua's conquest (approximately 1406-1390 BCE or 1250-1230 BCE depending on chronology) fulfilled promises made to Abraham 600+ years earlier (Genesis 15:16). The tabernacle at Shiloh (Joshua 18:1) served as worship center during the judges period.

David's reign (1010-970 BCE) unified the tribes and brought the Ark to Jerusalem (2 Samuel 6). His desire to build a temple (2 Samuel 7) was deferred to Solomon. Stephen's audience in 34-35 CE venerated the temple as peak of God's provision, yet Stephen will challenge this assumption.

The reference to Jesus/Joshua carries deliberate theological weight. Early Christians recognized typological connections between Joshua and Jesus—both delivered God's people into their inheritance. This wasn't coincidental naming but divine orchestration revealing Christ in Old Testament narrative.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Joshua as a type of Christ illuminate Jesus' role as deliverer into spiritual inheritance?
  2. What does the tabernacle's accompaniment of conquest teach about God's presence in spiritual warfare?
  3. How should we understand the conquest of Canaan in light of God's sovereignty and justice?
  4. In what ways does the progression from tabernacle to temple parallel the believer's journey from conversion to glorification?
  5. What dangers exist in assuming that institutional religious structures represent the height of God's purposes?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 27 words
ὧν1 of 27

Which

G3739

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

καὶ2 of 27

also

G2532

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

εἰσήγαγον3 of 27

after brought in

G1521

to introduce (literally or figuratively)

διαδεξάμενοι4 of 27

that came

G1237

to receive in turn, i.e., (figuratively) succeed to

οἱ5 of 27
G3588

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

πατέρων6 of 27

fathers

G3962

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

ἡμῶν7 of 27

of our

G2257

of (or from) us

μετὰ8 of 27

with

G3326

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

Ἰησοῦ9 of 27

Jesus

G2424

jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites

ἐν10 of 27

into

G1722

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

τῇ11 of 27
G3588

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

κατασχέσει12 of 27

the possession

G2697

a holding down, i.e., occupancy

τῶν13 of 27
G3588

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

ἐθνῶν14 of 27

of the Gentiles

G1484

a race (as of the same habit), i.e., a tribe; specially, a foreign (non-jewish) one (usually, by implication, pagan)

ὧν15 of 27

Which

G3739

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

ἐξῶσεν16 of 27

drave out

G1856

to expel; by implication, to propel

17 of 27
G3588

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

θεὸς18 of 27

God

G2316

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

ἀπὸ19 of 27

before

G575

"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)

προσώπου20 of 27

the face

G4383

the front (as being towards view), i.e., the countenance, aspect, appearance, surface; by implication, presence, person

τῶν21 of 27
G3588

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

πατέρων22 of 27

fathers

G3962

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

ἡμῶν23 of 27

of our

G2257

of (or from) us

ἕως24 of 27

unto

G2193

a conjunction, preposition and adverb of continuance, until (of time and place)

τῶν25 of 27
G3588

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

ἡμερῶν26 of 27

the days

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

Δαβίδ·27 of 27

of David

G1138

david, the israelite king


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 7:45 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 7:45 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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