Saying unto Aaron, Make us gods to go before us: for as for this Moses, which brought us out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him.

ACTS 7:40KJV
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Acts 7:40 (KJV)

What does Acts 7:40 mean?

Acts 7:40 describes how the Israelites, impatient and uncertain about Moses’ fate while he was on Mount Sinai, asked Aaron to make them gods to lead them, since they did not know what had happened to Moses, who had brought them out of Egypt. The verse highlights the people’s quick turn to idolatry and their lack of trust in God and Moses during a time of uncertainty.

In this verse, Stephen is recounting Israel’s history before the Jewish council, reminding them how their ancestors pressured Aaron to create physical gods (idols) when Moses was absent. The situation takes place after the Exodus, while Moses was receiving the law from God, and the people’s request reveals both their fear and their desire for visible leadership. This moment sets up Stephen’s larger point about Israel’s repeated rejection of God’s chosen leaders.

The Greek behind Acts 7:40

  • θεοὺς (theous, “gods”): This word is plural and refers to idols or false gods, not the true God. The use of the plural shows the people’s desire for multiple visible objects of worship, echoing pagan practices.
  • οὐκ οἴδαμεν (ouk oidamen, “we wot not”): This phrase means “we do not know.” The Greek here carries the sense of complete uncertainty or ignorance about Moses’ whereabouts, which fuels the people’s anxiety and rash decision.
  • ἐξήγαγεν (exēgagen, “brought out”): This verb emphasizes Moses’ role as the one who led them out of Egypt, highlighting the irony that the very leader who delivered them is now being abandoned in their minds.

Why Acts 7:40 matters

  • Acts 7:40 clarifies that the Israelites’ demand for new gods was not just impatience but a deeper rejection of God’s leadership and a longing for something tangible to follow.
  • The verse connects Stephen’s speech to the broader theme of Israel’s repeated resistance to God’s chosen messengers, which is central to his defense before the council.
  • Understanding this verse helps explain why idolatry was such a serious issue in Israel’s history and why Stephen uses this example to challenge his listeners’ attitudes toward Jesus and the prophets.