In which time Moses was born, and was exceeding fair, and nourished up in his father's house three months:

ACTS 7:20KJV
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Acts 7:20 (KJV)

What does Acts 7:20 mean?

Acts 7:20 says that Moses was born during a difficult time and was a very beautiful child, and for three months his family cared for him in their home. This verse highlights both the timing of Moses’ birth and the special attention his family gave him despite the dangers they faced.

Stephen is speaking to the Jewish council, retelling Israel’s history to show how God worked through key figures like Moses. In this verse, Stephen points out that Moses’ birth happened during a period of oppression in Egypt, yet his parents protected him for three months, recognizing something special about him.

The Greek behind Acts 7:20

  • The word translated “exceeding” is θεῷ (theō), which literally means “to God” or “divine.” Combined with ἀστεῖος (asteios, “fair” or “beautiful”), the phrase suggests Moses was “beautiful to God” or “remarkable in God’s eyes,” not just physically attractive.
  • The word ἐτράφη (etraphē, “nourished up”) means to be cared for or brought up, emphasizing the nurturing Moses received in his family home despite the threat to Hebrew infants.

Why Acts 7:20 matters

  • Acts 7:20 clarifies that Moses’ parents saw something extraordinary in him, which motivated them to risk their safety to protect him.
  • The verse connects Moses’ early life to God’s larger plan, showing that even in times of suffering, God’s purposes are at work.
  • This detail sets up Stephen’s larger argument that God’s chosen leaders often faced rejection or danger from the very people they were sent to help.

Where else these words appear

“fair” Greek G791 · used in 2 verses

  • Hebrews 11:23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment.

“up” Greek G397 · used in 3 verses

  • Acts 7:21 And when he was cast out, Pharaoh's daughter took him up, and nourished him for her own son.
  • Acts 22:3 I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day.

“months” Greek G3376 · used in 18 verses

  • Luke 1:24 And after those days his wife Elisabeth conceived, and hid herself five months, saying,
  • Acts 18:11 And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.
  • Revelation 9:5 And to them it was given that they should not kill them, but that they should be tormented five months: and their torment was as the torment of a scorpion, when he striketh a man.

“three” Greek G5140 · used in 60 verses

  • Matthew 12:40 For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
  • Luke 11:5 And he said unto them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves;
  • Acts 28:17 And it came to pass, that after three days Paul called the chief of the Jews together: and when they were come together, he said unto them, Men and brethren, though I have committed nothing against the people, or customs of our fathers, yet was I delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans.