“But as the time of the promise drew near, which God had granted to Abraham, the people increased and multiplied in Egypt
English Standard Version (ESV)
It's easy to breeze over the phrase "as the time of the promise drew near," but Stephen is highlighting that Israel's incredible multiplication wasn't random chance. It was a deliberate, divinely orchestrated expansion happening precisely because God's promised time for their deliverance was arriving, showing His faithfulness even within the oppression.
“But as the time of the promise drew near, which God had granted to Abraham, the people increased and multiplied in Egypt
English Standard Version (ESV)
Stephen is recounting God's faithfulness to Israel, moving from Abraham's promise to the descendants' multiplication in Egypt. He highlights that this rapid growth happened right as God's promised time was approaching, even while they were under oppressive slavery, setting the stage for their eventual deliverance.
The Bible often talks about 'the fullness of time.' What does that really mean when God makes a promise?
Stephen is highlighting that God's promises don't just happen randomly; they unfold according to a divine timetable.
A Divine Clock
The verse says, 'as the time of the promise drew near.' This points to a specific, appointed time for God's promises to be fulfilled. It wasn't just a vague hope; it was a promise tied to a particular moment.
Faith and Waiting
This appointed time is crucial for us to understand. It means that even when things seem stuck or delayed, God is working according to His perfect schedule. The patriarchs like Abraham waited centuries for the full realization of this promise. Their faith wasn't in a quick fix, but in God's faithfulness across generations.
God's Sovereignty
Stephen is reminding his audience (and us!) that God is in control of history. He orchestrates events, not just the big moments of deliverance, but also the mundane growth and multiplication of His people, all leading up to His perfect timing.
How can a people multiply 'in Egypt' when they were becoming slaves?
This verse presents a powerful paradox: the Israelites were growing numerically even as they were falling into bondage and oppression in Egypt.
God's Unstoppable Plan
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Verse 17 states that 'the people increased and multiplied in Egypt.' This happened while they were experiencing hardship. It wasn't a consequence of good living conditions, but a deliberate act of God, demonstrating that His purposes can advance even in the direst circumstances.
A Sign of Favor
This miraculous growth was a sign that God had not abandoned them, despite their suffering. It was a testament to His covenant faithfulness, ensuring that Abraham's descendants would become a great nation as He had promised, even when humanly speaking, their future looked bleak.
Divine Providence
This multiplication wasn't accidental. It was God's way of preparing them for the deliverance to come. It ensured there would be a substantial people to be led out of Egypt, fulfilling His word to Abraham.
Understand the original words
epangelia · Greek Noun
A prophetic declaration or oath made by God to His people, establishing a covenantal commitment that He will fulfill in His perfect timing. It often refers to the specific covenant made with the patriarchs regarding the land and the multiplication of descendants.
Stephen highlights God's faithfulness to His promise of descendants, showing how the Israelites' incredible multiplication in Egypt occurred even as Pharaoh's oppressive measures intensified, setting the stage for their eventual deliverance.
c. 1876 BC
Jacob and his family settle in Egypt
Joseph, having been sold into slavery and risen to power in Egypt, brings his entire family, numbering about 70 people, to settle in the land of Goshen during a famine.
c. 1800-1550 BC— this verse
Growth of Israelite population in Egypt
Over several generations, the Israelites, blessed by God, multiply significantly in Goshen, despite living as sojourners in a foreign land.
c. 1550 BC
New Dynasty arises in Egypt
Following the expulsion of the Hyksos rulers, a new Egyptian dynasty (likely the 18th Dynasty) takes power. This new leadership does not remember Joseph's contributions.
c. 1550-1450 BC
Israelites subjected to harsh slavery
The new Pharaohs, fearful of the growing Israelite population, enslave them and impose brutal forced labor, beginning a period of intense oppression.
c. 1446 BC
Infanticide decree issued
In a brutal attempt to curb the Israelite population, Pharaoh orders Hebrew midwives to kill all newborn Israelite boys, later extending the command to throw them into the Nile.
c. 1446 BC
Birth of Moses
During the height of persecution and the infanticide decree, Moses is born and miraculously preserved, eventually being raised in Pharaoh's own household.
This passage directly describes the promise God made to Abraham about his descendants being strangers in a foreign land for 400 years, setting the stage for the event in Acts 7:17.
Exodus 1:7This verse echoes the multiplication of the Israelites in Egypt, directly illustrating the fulfillment of the promise Stephen is speaking about, even amidst oppression.
Galatians 3:17This New Testament passage explains the 430-year timeframe from the promise to Abraham until the Exodus, helping to frame the 'time of the promise' Stephen mentions.
Hebrews 11:13This verse speaks of Abraham and his descendants living by faith, 'not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off,' which highlights the long-held nature of the promise that was nearing fulfillment.
Acts 7:6Stephen had just mentioned God's foreknowledge of the Israelites being oppressed for 400 years; this verse connects back to that, showing God's plan unfolding even in their suffering before the promise's time arrived.
ellicottActs 7:17: "But when the time of the promise drew nigh, which God had sworn to Abraham, the people grew and multiplied in Egypt,"
(17) Which God had sworn to Abraham. —The better MSS. give, which God promised.
calvinActs 7:17-19: "But when the time of the promise drew nigh, which God had sworn to Abraham, the people grew and multiplied in Egypt,"
And when the time of the promise drew near, which God had sworn to Abraham, the people increased, and was multiplied in Egypt, 18. Until another king arose, which knew not Joseph: 19. This man dealt subtilely with our kindred; he evil-entreated our fathers, that they might cast out their infants, lest they should be increased.
Stephen passeth over unto th…
It's easy to breeze over the phrase "as the time of the promise drew near," but Stephen is highlighting that Israel's incredible multiplication wasn't random chance. It was a deliberate, divinely orchestrated expansion happening precisely because God's promised time for their deliverance was arriving, showing His faithfulness even within the oppression.
Stephen is recounting God's faithfulness to Israel, moving from Abraham's promise to the descendants' multiplication in Egypt. He highlights that this rapid growth happened right as God's promised time was approaching, even while they were under oppressive slavery, setting the stage for their eventual deliverance.
Stephen is recounting God's faithfulness to Israel, moving from Abraham's promise to the descendants' multiplication in Egypt. He highlights that this rapid growth happened right as God's promised time was approaching, even while they were under oppressive slavery, setting the stage for their eventual deliverance.
"“But as the time of the promise drew near, which God had granted to Abraham, the people increased and multiplied in Egypt" — It's easy to breeze over the phrase "as the time of the promise drew near," but Stephen is highlighting that Israel's incredible multiplication wasn't random chance. It was a deliberate, divinely orc…
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Last reviewed October 2026