When Moses saw it, he wondered at the sight: and as he drew near to behold it, the voice of the Lord came unto him,
ACTS 7:31KJVWhat does Acts 7:31 mean?
Acts 7:31 describes Moses seeing a remarkable sight that filled him with wonder, and as he approached to look more closely, he heard the voice of the Lord speaking to him. This verse highlights the moment when Moses encounters something extraordinary and is drawn in, leading to a direct communication from God.
In this scene, Stephen is speaking to the Jewish council, recounting the story of Moses at the burning bush from the Old Testament. The verse emphasizes Moses’s amazement and curiosity at the sight, which sets the stage for God’s revelation to him. This moment is pivotal because it marks the beginning of Moses’s special calling to lead the Israelites.
The Greek behind Acts 7:31
- θαῦμα (thauma, "wondered" — G2296): This word means to be amazed or astonished. The Greek here suggests Moses was deeply struck by what he saw, not just mildly curious.
- φωνή (phōnē, "voice" — G5456): This word means a sound or voice. The use here stresses that Moses did not just see something unusual; he also heard a clear message from God.
- κύριος (kyrios, "Lord" — G2962): This is the standard Greek word for "Lord," often used in the New Testament to refer to God. Its use here makes clear that the voice Moses heard was divine.
Why Acts 7:31 matters
- Acts 7:31 shows that Moses’s encounter with God began with wonder and curiosity, not with certainty or understanding, which highlights the human side of responding to God’s call.
- This verse connects Stephen’s speech to the larger story of Israel’s history, showing continuity between Moses’s experience and the message Stephen is delivering.
- By emphasizing both the sight and the voice, Acts 7:31 underlines that God’s revelation often comes in unexpected ways and moments, inviting a response.