Acts 7:22
And Moses was instructed in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and he was mighty in his words and deeds.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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While Moses was "slow of speech," the text highlights his might in "words" not because of eloquence, but because of the profound substance and divine authority behind his pronouncements. This "might" in words and deeds wasn't about personal power, but about God's empowering him for the monumental task of liberation.
Stephen is recounting the history of Israel, highlighting God's faithfulness and their repeated rejection of His chosen leaders. He begins with Moses, emphasizing his upbringing in Pharaoh's court and his impressive education and abilities acquired in Egypt, setting the stage for his later leadership, which was ultimately rejected by the Israelites themselves.
Did Moses' education in Egypt's 'wisdom' compromise his faith? Stephen presents it as a vital part of his divine preparation.
Stephen highlights Moses' upbringing, stating he was "instructed in all the wisdom of the Egyptians." This wasn't a simple endorsement of Egyptian culture, but a testament to God's sovereignty. Even pagan knowledge, when placed in God's hands, can be a tool for His purposes.
God's Sovereign Hand
Beyond Superficiality
The Bible says Moses was 'mighty in words,' yet he famously confessed to being 'slow of speech.' How can both be true?
Stephen declares Moses was "mighty in words and in deeds." This seems contradictory to Moses' own self-description in Exodus 4:10 where he pleads, 'Oh, my Lord, I am not eloquent... but I am slow of speech and of tongue.'
Eloquence vs. Divine Authority
Understand the original words
sophia · Greek Noun
A term denoting the total body of Egyptian knowledge, science, philosophy, and occult practices, representing the highest intellectual attainments of the ancient world.
dynatos · Greek Adjective
Possessing strength, power, or capability, often used in scripture to describe those used by God to perform significant works.
Stephen highlights Moses's Egyptian upbringing, showing how God sovereignly prepared him in a powerful, albeit pagan, civilization before calling him to liberate His people. This emphasizes that God can use any context, even one of oppression and false worship, for His redemptive purposes.
c. 1500s BC
Israelites Enslaved in Egypt
The descendants of Jacob, who had settled in Egypt, grew into a large population and were eventually enslaved by the Egyptians, facing harsh conditions and a royal decree to kill all newborn Israelite boys.
c. 1500s BC— this verse
Birth and Adoption of Moses
Moses was born during the period of Israelite slavery. His mother hid him, and he was later found and adopted by Pharaoh's daughter, growing up in the Egyptian royal court.
c. 1460s BC
Moses Flees to Midian
After striking and killing an Egyptian who was oppressing an Israelite, Moses was forced to flee Egypt to escape Pharaoh's wrath. He settled in Midian and became a shepherd.
c. 1420s BC
The Burning Bush and Divine Calling
After forty years in Midian, God appeared to Moses in a burning bush and commissioned him to return to Egypt to lead the Israelites out of slavery.
This passage highlights the providential placement of Moses within Pharaoh's household, setting the stage for his access to Egyptian education and upbringing.
Hebrews 11:24-26This passage emphasizes Moses' choice to reject his privileged Egyptian status for the sake of Christ, demonstrating the inner transformation that empowered his mighty words and deeds despite his perceived speech impediment.
1 Kings 4:29-30These verses speak of Solomon's great wisdom, which surpassed that of the Egyptians, providing a benchmark that underscores the significant learning Moses acquired.
2 Timothy 3:8This verse directly references Jannes and Jambres, Egyptian magicians who opposed Moses, implying that Moses' 'mighty deeds' likely involved supernatural power that outmatched their sorcery.
ellicottActs 7:22: "And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and in deeds."
(22) Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians. —Better, was trained, or instructed. There is no direct statement to this effect in the history of the Pentateuch, but it was implied in Moses being brought up as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, and was in harmony with later paraphrases and expansions of the earlier history. The narrative of Josephus (as above) and the references…
barnesActs 7:22: "And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and in deeds."
Moses was learned - Or, was "instructed." It does not mean that he had that learning, but that he was carefully "trained" or educated in that wisdom. The passage does not express the fact that Moses was distinguished for "learning," but that he was carefully "educated," or that pains were taken to make him learned. In all the wisdom ... - The learning of the Egyptians was confined chiefl…
While Moses was "slow of speech," the text highlights his might in "words" not because of eloquence, but because of the profound substance and divine authority behind his pronouncements. This "might" in words and deeds wasn't about personal power, but about God's empowering him for the monumental task of liberation.
Stephen is recounting the history of Israel, highlighting God's faithfulness and their repeated rejection of His chosen leaders. He begins with Moses, emphasizing his upbringing in Pharaoh's court and his impressive education and abilities acquired in Egypt, setting the stage for his later leadership, which was ultimately rejected by the Israelites themselves.
Stephen is recounting the history of Israel, highlighting God's faithfulness and their repeated rejection of His chosen leaders. He begins with Moses, emphasizing his upbringing in Pharaoh's court and his impressive education and abilities acquired in Egypt, setting the stage for his later leadership, which was ultimately rejected by the Israelites themselves.
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Deeds of Divine Power
c. 1420s BC
Exodus from Egypt
Moses, with Aaron, confronted Pharaoh, and after a series of plagues, the Israelites were finally allowed to leave Egypt, marking the beginning of their journey to the Promised Land.
"And Moses was instructed in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and he was mighty in his words and deeds." — While Moses was "slow of speech," the text highlights his might in "words" not because of eloquence, but because of the profound substance and divine authority behind his pronouncements. This "might"…
