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.

Where else these words appear

“before” Greek G4313 · used in 2 verses

  • Luke 1:76 And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways;

“Aaron” Greek G2 · used in 5 verses

  • Luke 1:5 There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth.
  • Hebrews 5:4 And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron.
  • Hebrews 7:11 If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood,(for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron?

“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.

“Egypt” Greek G125 · used in 22 verses

  • Matthew 2:13 And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.
  • Acts 7:11 Now there came a dearth over all the land of Egypt and Chanaan, and great affliction: and our fathers found no sustenance.
  • Acts 13:17 The God of this people of Israel chose our fathers, and exalted the people when they dwelt as strangers in the land of Egypt, and with an high arm brought he them out of it.