Acts 7:5
Yet he gave him no inheritance in it, not even a foot’s length, but promised to give it to him as a possession and to his offspring after him, though he had no child.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The verse highlights a crucial distinction between what we possess and what we inherit by promise. Even though Abraham bought a burial plot, Stephen emphasizes this was not an "inheritance" from God; God’s promise of land was entirely for Abraham and his descendants, a promise made to a man with no children, underscoring it was a matter of faith, not immediate possession.
Stephen is recounting Abraham's story to highlight God's faithfulness and Abraham's incredible faith, emphasizing that God promised him the land of Canaan but Abraham didn't actually receive ownership of it during his lifetime. This sets the stage for his later point about the Israelites' rejection of God’s promises and their eventual deliverance from Egypt.
Abraham bought a burial plot, but God promised him an entire land. What's the difference, and why does it matter?
Stephen highlights a crucial distinction in Abraham's story: the land God promised him was different from any land he acquired.
A Land Bought, Not Given
When Abraham first arrived in Canaan, he didn't receive any territory as a divine inheritance. The only piece of land he actually owned was the cave of Machpelah, which he purchased from the Hittites for a significant sum (Genesis 23).
The Promise's True Possession
This purchased land was for a specific, albeit important, purpose: a burial place. It wasn't the sprawling inheritance God had vowed to give him and his descendants. Stephen emphasizes that God's promise was for a future, permanent possession, something far grander than a mere plot of land bought with money. This points to faith resting not on what we can grasp or buy, but on God's spoken word.
God promised Abraham land and descendants when he had neither. How does this reveal God's character and test our faith?
This verse zeroes in on the seemingly impossible nature of God's promise to Abraham.
A Promise Without Probability
At the time God spoke, Abraham was advanced in years, and his wife Sarah was barren. There was no human likelihood of them having children, let alone a nation that would possess a land.
Faith's Foundation
Stephen points this out to underscore that Abraham's faith wasn't based on what he could see or what seemed logical. It was built entirely on God's word.
This highlights that often, God's promises are given when the circumstances are most dire, stretching our faith to trust in His power and faithfulness, not our own understanding or resources. The inheritance was assured, even when invisible.
Understand the original words
klēronomia · Greek Noun
Property or a portion received as a gift or through a legal right of succession. In biblical theology, it often refers to the spiritual and physical blessings promised by God to His covenant people.
epangellō · Greek Verb
A firm declaration of divine intent or commitment. Biblically, God's promise is an expression of His faithfulness and sovereignty, guaranteeing the fulfillment of His purpose regardless of present circumstances.
kataschesis · Greek Noun
The state of holding or occupying something as one's own. It refers to land or spiritual status that God bestows upon His people according to His covenantal grace.
sperma · Greek Noun
Stephen highlights that Abraham's faith was tested by receiving a promise of land and descendants when he had neither, emphasizing that true possession is based on God's promise, not immediate earthly ownership.
c. 2090 BC
God calls Abram out of Ur
God calls Abram from his homeland, promising to make him into a great nation and give him the land of Canaan.
c. 2090-2065 BC— this verse
Abram sojourns in Canaan
Abram arrives in Canaan but does not receive any land as an inheritance, living as a wanderer and stranger, though God reaffirms His promises.
c. 2080 BC
Abram purchases the Cave of Machpelah
Abraham buys a burial plot from the Hittites, the only piece of land he would own in Canaan, which was not a divine inheritance but a purchased property.
c. 2065 BC
Birth of Ishmael
Abraham has a son, Ishmael, with Hagar, but Ishmael is not the heir through whom the promises of land and nationhood will be fulfilled.
This passage directly records God's initial promise to Abraham concerning the land, highlighting the theme of a future possession despite present lack of ownership.
Genesis 15:2-6This shows God reiterating His promise of land and numerous offspring to Abraham, even when Abraham expressed concern about not having an heir, underscoring faith in the face of apparent impossibility.
Hebrews 11:8-10This New Testament passage speaks of Abraham's faith in leaving his homeland for an unknown future, living as a foreigner in the promised land, and looking forward to a city with eternal foundations, mirroring the idea of future possession over present reality.
Romans 4:18-22This passage reflects on Abraham's faith, emphasizing that he believed in the promise of descendants and land against all human hope, demonstrating profound trust in God's word even when circumstances seemed contrary.
ellicottActs 7:5: "And he gave him none inheritance in it, no, not so much as to set his foot on: yet he promised that he would give it to him for a possession, and to his seed after him, when as yet he had no child."
(5) And he gave him none inheritance. —The apparent exception of the field and cave of Machpelah ( Genesis 23:9-17 ) was not a real one. That was purchased for a special purpose, not given as an inheritance.
calvinActs 7:5-8: "And he gave him none inheritance in it, no, not so much as to set his foot on: yet he promised that he would give it to him for a possession, and to his seed after him, when as yet he had no child."
- And he gave him none inheritance in it, no, not the breadth of a foot; and promised that he would give it to him to possess, and to his seed after him, when as he had no son. 6. And God spake after this manner, Thy seed shall sojourn in a strange land; and they shall bring it into bo…
The verse highlights a crucial distinction between what we possess and what we inherit by promise. Even though Abraham bought a burial plot, Stephen emphasizes this was not an "inheritance" from God; God’s promise of land was entirely for Abraham and his descendants, a promise made to a man with no children, underscoring it was a matter of faith, not immediate possession.
Stephen is recounting Abraham's story to highlight God's faithfulness and Abraham's incredible faith, emphasizing that God promised him the land of Canaan but Abraham didn't actually receive ownership of it during his lifetime. This sets the stage for his later point about the Israelites' rejection of God’s promises and their eventual deliverance from Egypt.
Stephen is recounting Abraham's story to highlight God's faithfulness and Abraham's incredible faith, emphasizing that God promised him the land of Canaan but Abraham didn't actually receive ownership of it during his lifetime. This sets the stage for his later point about the Israelites' rejection of God’s promises and their eventual deliverance from Egypt.
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Descendants or biological heirs. In the context of the Abrahamic covenant, it refers to the spiritual and physical line through whom God’s promises and the ultimate blessing of the Messiah would come.
c. 2040 BC
Birth of Isaac
Isaac is born to Abraham and Sarah, fulfilling God's promise of an heir and the continuation of the covenant line.
c. 1875 BC
Joseph sold into Egypt
Abraham's great-grandson Joseph is sold into slavery in Egypt, foreshadowing the future sojourning and bondage of his descendants.
c. 1875-1475 BC
Israelites sojourn and are enslaved in Egypt
Abraham's descendants live in Egypt for centuries, eventually becoming enslaved, fulfilling God's prophecy of a sojourn and hardship in a foreign land.
"Yet he gave him no inheritance in it, not even a foot’s length, but promised to give it to him as a possession and to his offspring after him, though he had no child." — The verse highlights a crucial distinction between what we possess and what we inherit by promise. Even though Abraham bought a burial plot, Stephen emphasizes this was not an "inheritance" from…
