Acts 7:26 (KJV)

What does Acts 7:26 mean?

Acts 7:26 describes how, on the day after Moses first defended a fellow Israelite, he saw two Israelites fighting and tried to make peace between them by reminding them they were brothers and asking why they were harming each other. The verse highlights Moses’ attempt to reconcile his people and prevent conflict among them.

Stephen is speaking to the Jewish council, retelling the story of Moses from Exodus. In this moment, Moses approaches two fellow Israelites who are in a dispute, hoping to restore harmony. The verse shows Moses’ concern for unity among his people and his role as a mediator even before he became their leader.

The Greek behind Acts 7:26

• The word for “set them at one again” is εἰς εἰρήνην (eis eirēnēn, “into peace”), which often means to reconcile or restore peace between people. This shows Moses was not just stopping a fight but actively seeking to bring about real reconciliation.
• The word for “brethren” is ἀδελφοί (adelphoi), which means brothers or fellow countrymen. Moses appeals to their shared identity to encourage them to stop fighting.
• The phrase “why do ye wrong one to another?” uses ἀδικεῖτε (adikeite, “do wrong”), which carries the sense of acting unjustly or harming. Moses is not just asking why they are fighting but pointing out that their actions are unjust toward each other.

Why Acts 7:26 matters

• Acts 7:26 clarifies that Moses’ concern for his people began before his public leadership; he was already trying to resolve disputes and encourage unity.
• The verse emphasizes the importance of reconciliation and peace within a community, a theme that runs throughout both the Old and New Testaments.
• By retelling this story, Stephen highlights how God’s chosen leaders often start by caring for their people’s relationships, not just their outward circumstances.