He brought them out, after that he had shewed wonders and signs in the land of Egypt, and in the Red sea, and in the wilderness forty years.

ACTS 7:36KJV
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Acts 7:36 (KJV)

What does Acts 7:36 mean?

Acts 7:36 describes how God, through Moses, led the Israelites out of Egypt by performing remarkable miracles and signs in Egypt, at the Red Sea, and during forty years in the wilderness. The verse highlights Moses as the one chosen to deliver the people and the extraordinary events that marked their journey.

Stephen is speaking to the Jewish council, recounting Israel’s history to show how God worked through Moses. By mentioning the wonders and signs in Egypt, the Red Sea, and the wilderness, Stephen reminds his listeners of God’s ongoing power and faithfulness during the Exodus and the years that followed.

The Greek behind Acts 7:36

  • "Wonders" (τέρατα, terata) and "signs" (σημεῖα, sēmeia): These words refer to miraculous acts that point to God’s power and authority. In Greek, "τέρατα" often emphasizes the awe these acts inspire, while "σημεῖα" highlights their purpose as signs pointing to God’s involvement.
  • "Brought out" (ἐξήγαγεν, exēgagen): This verb means to lead out or bring out, underlining Moses’ role as the deliverer who physically led the people from slavery into freedom.
  • "Wilderness" (ἐρήμῳ, erēmō): The Greek word here refers to a deserted or uninhabited place, emphasizing the harsh and challenging environment where God continued to provide for Israel.

Why Acts 7:36 matters

  • Acts 7:36 reminds readers that Moses’ leadership was marked by God’s direct intervention, not just human effort or planning.
  • The verse connects the miracles in Egypt, the Red Sea, and the wilderness as a continuous story of deliverance, helping listeners see the unity of God’s saving actions.
  • In the context of Stephen’s speech, this verse challenges the council to recognize that God’s work often happens outside their expectations and traditions, just as it did in the days of Moses.

Where else these words appear

“Red” Greek G2063 · used in 2 verses

  • Hebrews 11:29 By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.

“brought” Greek G1806 · used in 13 verses

  • Mark 8:23 And he took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the town; and when he had spit on his eyes, and put his hands upon him, he asked him if he saw ought.
  • Acts 5:19 But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said,
  • Acts 16:37 But Paul said unto them, They have beaten us openly uncondemned, being Romans, and have cast us into prison; and now do they thrust us out privily? nay verily; but let them come themselves and fetch us out.

“wonders” Greek G5059 · used in 16 verses

  • Matthew 24:24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
  • Acts 2:43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.
  • Acts 15:12 Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them.

“forty” Greek G5062 · used in 21 verses

  • Matthew 4:2 And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.
  • Acts 7:30 And when forty years were expired, there appeared to him in the wilderness of mount Sina an angel of the Lord in a flame of fire in a bush.
  • Hebrews 3:17 But with whom was he grieved forty years? was it not with them that had sinned, whose carcases fell in the wilderness?