Acts 7:20
At this time Moses was born; and he was beautiful in God’s sight. And he was brought up for three months in his father’s house,
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
{ "themes": [ "God's timing in crisis", "Divine beauty in vulnerability", "Hidden strength from infancy" ] }
Stephen is recounting the history of Israel, highlighting God's faithfulness amidst their struggles and Pharaoh's brutal decree to kill every newborn Israelite boy. Against this backdrop of imminent death and oppression, Moses is born, described as exceptionally beautiful in God's sight, and hidden by his parents for three months. This sets the stage for God's extraordinary intervention to save and raise up the very deliverer his people desperately needed.
Understand the original words
asteios · Greek Adjective
In a biblical context, this term often describes someone who is pleasing, acceptable, or specifically favored by God. It signifies a divine recognition of character, destiny, or spiritual potential.
Stephen highlights Moses' birth during the brutal decree to kill Israelite boys, emphasizing how God's plan unfolded even in the darkest, most hopeless moments, and how divine favor can be seen even in human beauty.
c. 1500s BC
Israelite Oppression in Egypt
Following a period of favor, the Israelites became numerous and powerful in Egypt, leading to fear and enslavement by the Egyptian rulers.
c. 1500s BC
Pharaoh's Infanticide Decree
To control the growing Israelite population, Pharaoh commanded Hebrew midwives to kill all newborn boys, and later ordered all Egyptians to throw male infants into the Nile.
c. 1500s BC— this verse
Birth of Moses
During the height of this persecution, Moses was born, remarkably beautiful and divinely favored. His parents hid him for three months.
c. 1500s BC
Moses Adopted by Pharaoh's Daughter
When his parents could hide him no longer, they placed Moses in a basket on the Nile, where he was found and adopted by Pharaoh's daughter.
This passage is the direct source for Stephen's description of Moses' birth and early nurturing, emphasizing the infant's remarkable appearance and the initial three months with his parents before being placed in the ark.
Hebrews 11:23The author of Hebrews, echoing Stephen's account, highlights that Moses was hidden by his parents for three months because they saw he was 'proper,' directly linking his perceived specialness to divine favor and protection.
Genesis 10:9This verse uses a similar Hebrew idiom ('mighty hunter before the LORD') to describe Nimrod, illustrating the same way Stephen uses 'beautiful in God's sight' to convey an exceptional quality, not just in appearance but in divine estimation.
1 Samuel 16:12Here, David is described as 'ruddy and handsome in appearance' and 'good in the sight of the Lord,' which parallels Stephen's language by connecting outward comeliness with divine approval or a special anointing.
Romans 9:16Paul discusses God's sovereign choice, stating it's 'not of him who wills nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy.' This connects to Moses' birth and early preservation, emphasizing that his survival and eventual role were not due to human effort but God's determined plan and grace.
calvinActs 7:20-29: "In which time Moses was born, and was exceeding fair, and nourished up in his father's house three months:"
- At that time was Moses born, who was acceptable to God And he was brought up three months in his father's house. 21. And the daughter of Pharaoh took him up when he was cast out, and nourished him up for her own son. 22. And Moses was taught in all wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in word and deed. 23. And when the time of forty years was fulfilled, it came into…
vincentActs 7:20: "In which time Moses was born, and was exceeding fair, and nourished up in his father's house three months:"
Time (καιρῷ)Better, season or juncture. "Sad, seasonable" (Bengel). See on Acts 1:7.Exceeding fair (ἀστεῖος τῷ θεῷ)Lit., fair unto God: a Hebrew superlative. Compare Jonah 3:3 : great unto God; A. V., exceeding great. Genesis 10:9, of Nimrod: a mighty hunter before the Lord. 2 Corinthians 10:4 : mighty unto God; i.e., in God's sight. Ἀστεῖος, fair (only here and Hebr…
{ "themes": [ "God's timing in crisis", "Divine beauty in vulnerability", "Hidden strength from infancy" ] }
Stephen is recounting the history of Israel, highlighting God's faithfulness amidst their struggles and Pharaoh's brutal decree to kill every newborn Israelite boy. Against this backdrop of imminent death and oppression, Moses is born, described as exceptionally beautiful in God's sight, and hidden by his parents for three months. This sets the stage for God's extraordinary intervention to save and raise up the very deliverer his people desperately needed.
"At this time Moses was born; and he was beautiful in God’s sight. And he was brought up for three months in his father’s house," — { "themes": [ "God's timing in crisis", "Divine beauty in vulnerability", "Hidden strength from infancy" ] }
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about Acts 7:20 is available in the Sola app.
c. 1460s BC
Moses Flees to Midian
After forty years, Moses intervened on behalf of an Israelite, killing an Egyptian. Fearing retribution, he fled Egypt and settled in Midian.
c. 1420s BC
The Burning Bush and Calling of Moses
God appeared to Moses in a burning bush, commissioning him to return to Egypt and lead the Israelites out of slavery.
c. 1420s BC
The Exodus from Egypt
After facing Pharaoh with God's power, Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt, marking the beginning of their liberation.
