And were carried over into Sychem, and laid in the sepulchre that Abraham bought for a sum of money of the sons of Emmor the father of Sychem.

ACTS 7:16KJV
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Acts 7:16 (KJV)

What does Acts 7:16 mean?

Acts 7:16 says that the ancestors of the Israelites were carried to Sychem (Shechem) after their deaths and buried in a tomb that Abraham had bought from the sons of Emmor (Hamor), who was the father of Sychem, for a sum of money. This verse highlights the burial place of the patriarchs and the connection to Abraham's purchase of land.

In Acts 7, Stephen is speaking to the Jewish council, recounting the history of Israel to show God's faithfulness through their ancestors. Here, Stephen refers to the burial of Jacob and the other patriarchs, linking it to Abraham's act of buying a burial place in Shechem. The verse ties the story of the patriarchs to a specific location and transaction, showing the deep roots of the Israelite people in the land.

The Greek behind Acts 7:16

  • Συχέμ (Sychem, transliterated as "Sychem"): This is the Greek form of "Shechem," a significant city in Israel's history. Mentioning Sychem connects the burial to a real, historical place known to Stephen's listeners.
  • Ἐμμώρ (Emmor, transliterated as "Emmor"): This is the Greek rendering of "Hamor," the father of Shechem in the Old Testament. Naming Emmor roots the story in a specific family and event, underlining the legitimacy of the burial site.
  • τιμῆς (timēs, meaning "sum" or "price"): This word emphasizes that the tomb was bought for a price, highlighting Abraham's legal claim to the land, which would be important to Stephen's audience.

Why Acts 7:16 matters

  • Acts 7:16 helps clarify the historical connection between the patriarchs and the land of Canaan, showing that their presence and burial there were not accidental but based on a real purchase.
  • The verse connects Stephen’s speech to the broader theme of God’s promises and faithfulness to Abraham and his descendants, reinforcing the legitimacy of Israel’s claim to the land.
  • This detail also shows Stephen’s deep knowledge of Israel’s history, which he uses to build his case before the council and to remind them of their shared heritage.

Where else these words appear

“over” Greek G3346 · used in 5 verses

  • Galatians 1:6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:
  • Hebrews 7:12 For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.
  • Hebrews 11:5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.

“sepulchre” Greek G3418 · used in 7 verses

  • Mark 5:5 And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones.
  • Luke 23:53 And he took it down, and wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a sepulchre that was hewn in stone, wherein never man before was laid.
  • Acts 2:29 Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day.

“money” Greek G694 · used in 20 verses

  • Matthew 25:18 But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money.
  • Matthew 27:9 Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that was valued, whom they of the children of Israel did value;
  • Luke 19:23 Wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury?

“sum” Greek G5092 · used in 42 verses

  • Matthew 27:6 And the chief priests took the silver pieces, and said, It is not lawful for to put them into the treasury, because it is the price of blood.
  • 1 Corinthians 6:20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.
  • Hebrews 3:3 For this man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who hath builded the house hath more honour than the house.