What does Stephen say in Acts 7:6 about Abraham's seed?
According to Acts 7:6, Stephen says Abraham's seed would sojourn in a strange land, where they would be brought into bondage and treated evil. He specifies 400 years, not 430, which is not a contradiction but a different benchmark for measuring time.
Les explains that Stephen is rehearsing the history of Israel, much like Paul does later in Acts. In Acts 7:6, Stephen says Abraham's offspring would sojourn in a strange land, be brought into bondage, and be treated evil. Les points out that the time given is 400, not 430, and this is no contradiction; it is simply a benchmark of where they measure time. He illustrates this with a map showing the Dead Sea, Sea of Galilee, Mediterranean, and Euphrates River. He places Ur where God first spoke to Abram, telling him to leave Ur and his family for a land God would show him—Canaan—without telling him where. Les suggests Abram may have been fifty years old when the Lord first spoke to him.
And God spake on this wise, That his seed should sojourn in a strange land; and that they should bring them into bondage, and entreat them evil four hundred years.
More Questions
What does 'his seed' mean in Acts 7?
In Acts 7, the phrase 'his seed' refers to Abraham's offspring, the coming generations.
What is the 'strange land' in Acts 7 that would hold Abraham's descendants in bondage?
The 'strange land' where Abraham's descendants would be in bondage for four hundred years is Egypt.