Where was Abraham when God appeared to him in Acts 7:2?
Acts 7:2 records that the God of glory appeared to Abraham while he was in Mesopotamia. This was before Abraham dwelt in Haran and before he had moved out of Ur of the Chaldees, as Stephen’s speech clarifies. So the location is Mesopotamia, specifically Ur of the Chaldees.
Les explains that in Acts 7:2, Stephen declares, “the God of glory appeared unto our father Abraham.” The word “appeared” is the Greek term optomai, from which we get optometrist, indicating God actually appeared to Abraham in a visible form—a theophany. Les points out that this appearance occurred while Abraham was still in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Haran and before he moved out of Ur of the Chaldees. Les notes that Genesis 12:1 simply says the Lord spoke to Abraham, but Acts 7:2 clarifies that God not only spoke but appeared to him in a human form.
And he said, Men, brethren, and fathers, hearken; The God of glory appeared unto our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Charran,
More Questions
Does Acts 7 say God visibly appeared to Abraham?
Stephen in Acts 7 gives the impression that God visibly appeared to Abraham, using the Greek word 'optomiae' for 'appeared.'
How does Acts 7:2 clarify the appearance of God to Abraham in Genesis 12?
Acts 7:2 clarifies that God not only spoke to Abraham but also appeared to him in a human form, something Genesis 12:1 does not make clear by itself.
Did God actually appear to Abraham visibly?
Stephen, speaking by inspiration, says God actually appeared to Abraham in a visible form that Abraham could see with his eyes.
Who was Stephen speaking to in Acts chapter 7 verse 2?
In Acts 7:2 Stephen addresses his hearers as "men, brethren, and fathers" and speaks of "our father Abraham," showing he is speaking to Jews, since only the Jew can claim Abraham as father.