And Jacob went down into Egypt, and he died, he and our fathers, and they were carried back to Shechem and laid in the tomb that Abraham had bought for a sum of silver from the sons of Hamor in Shechem.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Stephen highlights that Jacob and all his sons died in Egypt, not the Promised Land. This points to God's faithfulness being with them even when they were far from the land He promised, underscoring that their true inheritance was something deeper than mere geography.
And Jacob went down into Egypt, and he died, he and our fathers, and they were carried back to Shechem and laid in the tomb that Abraham had bought for a sum of silver from the sons of Hamor in Shechem.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Stephen is recounting the story of Israel's origins, starting with Abraham and moving through Joseph. After detailing Joseph's rise to power and how he saved his family from famine, Stephen mentions Jacob and his descendants relocating to Egypt. This sets the stage for the next phase of their history, which will eventually lead to their enslavement and eventual exodus.
Stephen's speech reminds his audience of their ancestors' journey into Egypt. What does this seemingly sad tale of exile reveal about God's faithfulness?
A Descent into Egypt, An Ascent of Faith
Stephen highlights Jacob and his family going down into Egypt. This wasn't a triumphant return to their promised land, but a descent into a foreign place.
Stephen mentions a burial place. Why is this detail so significant in the story of Jacob and his descendants, and what does it tell us about land and inheritance?
More Than Just a Grave
The burial of Jacob and his descendants in the land of Canaan, specifically in the field purchased from the sons of Hamor, is a crucial detail.
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Stephen highlights that the ancestors of his accusers, including Jacob himself, lived and died in Egypt, a foreign land. This serves as a powerful reminder that their true heritage and promises were always tied to God's faithfulness, not to a specific piece of land or a physical lineage.
c. 1700 BC— this verse
Jacob and family move to Egypt
Jacob, along with his entire family, moves to Egypt at the invitation of his son Joseph. They settle in the land of Goshen.
c. 1700-1500 BC
Patriarchs die in Egypt
Jacob, his twelve sons, and their families live in Egypt for approximately 215 years. During this time, all the patriarchs die within the land of Egypt.
c. 1446 BC
The Exodus from Egypt
Under Moses' leadership, the Israelites leave Egypt after 400 years of bondage, fulfilling God's promises to Abraham.
c. 1406 BC
Conquest and settlement of Canaan
The Israelites conquer and divide the land of Canaan among the twelve tribes. This marks the fulfillment of God's promise of the land.
c. 1400 BC
Bones of Joseph and Patriarchs moved
The bones of Joseph are carried out of Egypt by the Israelites and buried in Shechem. Tradition suggests the bones of the other patriarchs were also moved and buried in Hebron or Shechem.
This verse directly references Jacob's death, which is mentioned in Acts 7:15 as the endpoint of his journey to Egypt.
Joshua 24:32This passage speaks to the burial of Joseph's bones in Shechem, corroborating the historical context Stephen is recounting about the patriarchs' burial.
Exodus 1:1-6This section describes the descendants of Jacob multiplying in Egypt and then dying off, which provides the larger narrative context for Jacob and 'our fathers' dying there.
Genesis 50:13This verse details the burial of Jacob in the cave of Machpelah, showing the fulfillment of his desire to be buried with his fathers and supporting the narrative of the patriarchs' burial.
barnesActs 7:15: "So Jacob went down into Egypt, and died, he, and our fathers,"
And died - Genesis 49:33 . He and our fathers - The time which the Israelites remained in Egypt was 215 years, so that all the sons of Jacob were deceased before the Jews went out to go to the land of Canaan. And were carried over - Jacob himself was buried in the field of Macpelah by Joseph and his brethren, Genesis 1, 13. It is expressly said that the bones of Joseph were carried by the Israelites when they went into t…
calvinActs 7:9-16: "And the patriarchs, moved with envy, sold Joseph into Egypt: but God was with him,"
- And the patriarchs, moved with envy, sold Joseph into Egypt. Notwithstanding, God was with him; 10. And he delivered him out of all his afflictions: and he gave him favor and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh, king of Egypt, who made him ruler over Egypt, and over all his house. 11. And there came a famine upon all the land of Egypt and Canaan, and great affliction; neither did our fathers find foo…
Stephen highlights that Jacob and all his sons died in Egypt, not the Promised Land. This points to God's faithfulness being with them even when they were far from the land He promised, underscoring that their true inheritance was something deeper than mere geography.
Stephen is recounting the story of Israel's origins, starting with Abraham and moving through Joseph. After detailing Joseph's rise to power and how he saved his family from famine, Stephen mentions Jacob and his descendants relocating to Egypt. This sets the stage for the next phase of their history, which will eventually lead to their enslavement and eventual exodus.
Stephen is recounting the story of Israel's origins, starting with Abraham and moving through Joseph. After detailing Joseph's rise to power and how he saved his family from famine, Stephen mentions Jacob and his descendants relocating to Egypt. This sets the stage for the next phase of their history, which will eventually lead to their enslavement and eventual exodus.
"And Jacob went down into Egypt, and he died, he and our fathers, and they were carried back to Shechem and laid in the tomb that Abraham had bought for a sum of silver from the sons of Hamor in Shechem." — Stephen highlights that Jacob and all his sons died in Egypt, not the Promised Land. This points to God's faithfulness being with them even when they were far from the land He promised, underscoring…
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Last reviewed October 2026