9The patriarchs, having envied Joseph, sold him into Egypt. Yet God was with him [7:10] and rescued him from all his tribulations, and gave him favor and wisdom before Pharaoh king of Egypt, who appointed him ruler over Egypt and over all his household. [7:11] A famine came over all Egypt and Canaan, and great affliction, and our fathers were finding no fodder. [7:12] But Jacob, hearing there was grain in Egypt, sent out our fathers first. [7:13] On the second visit Joseph made himself known to his brothers, and Joseph's family became known to Pharaoh. [7:14] Joseph then sent and summoned his father Jacob and all his kindred — seventy-five souls in all.
ACT 7:9-14
Joseph Sold into Egypt
In the world it was spoken into
In the 1st century, Joseph’s story would resonate deeply with Jewish audiences familiar with their ancestral narratives. The patriarchs’ envy leading to Joseph’s sale into Egypt reflects the destructive potential of familial rivalry, a theme well-known in Greco-Roman and Jewish literature. Joseph’s rise to power under Pharaoh, despite his initial suffering , aligns with the Jewish belief in God’s providential care for His chosen, even in exile. The famine and subsequent migration to Egypt would evoke memories of Israel’s dependence on God’s provision during times of scarcity. For a Jewish audience under Roman rule, Joseph’s elevation to a position of authority in a foreign land might symbolize hope for God’s deliverance and the possibility of influence in a hostile empire. The narrative underscores God’s sovereignty in using human actions, even sinful ones, to fulfill His purposes.
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How other translations render this
ACT 7:9
- KJV
- And the patriarchs, moved with envy, sold Joseph into Egypt: but God was with him,
- BSB
- Because the patriarchs were jealous of Joseph, they sold him as a slave into Egypt. But God was with him
- Koinōnos
- The patriarchs, having envied Joseph, sold him into Egypt. Yet God was with him
ACT 7:10
- KJV
- And delivered him out of all his afflictions, and gave him favour and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh king of Egypt; and he made him governor over Egypt and all his house.
- BSB
- and rescued him from all his troubles. He granted Joseph favor and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh king of Egypt, who appointed him ruler over Egypt and all his household.
- Koinōnos
- and rescued him from all his tribulations, and gave him favor and wisdom before Pharaoh king of Egypt, who appointed him ruler over Egypt and over all his household.
ACT 7:11
- KJV
- Now there came a dearth over all the land of Egypt and Chanaan, and great affliction: and our fathers found no sustenance.
- BSB
- Then famine and great suffering swept across Egypt and Canaan, and our fathers could not find food.
- Koinōnos
- A famine came over all Egypt and Canaan, and great affliction, and our fathers were finding no fodder.
ACT 7:12
- KJV
- But when Jacob heard that there was corn in Egypt, he sent out our fathers first.
- BSB
- When Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent our fathers on their first visit.
- Koinōnos
- But Jacob, hearing there was grain in Egypt, sent out our fathers first.
ACT 7:13
- KJV
- And at the second time Joseph was made known to his brethren; and Joseph’s kindred was made known unto Pharaoh.
- BSB
- On their second visit, Joseph revealed his identity to his brothers, and his family became known to Pharaoh.
- Koinōnos
- On the second visit Joseph made himself known to his brothers, and Joseph's family became known to Pharaoh.
ACT 7:14
- KJV
- Then sent Joseph, and called his father Jacob to him, and all his kindred, threescore and fifteen souls.
- BSB
- Then Joseph sent for his father Jacob and all his relatives, seventy-five in all.
- Koinōnos
- Joseph then sent and summoned his father Jacob and all his kindred — seventy-five souls in all.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
ACT 7:9
- having envied:The word translated 'having envied' can carry both a positive sense of zealous emulation and a negative sense of jealous rivalry. Here, the context clearly points to the destructive jealousy that led to Joseph's betrayal.
ACT 7:10
- tribulations:The term used here for 'tribulations' literally means 'pressure' or 'crushing,' like grapes in a winepress. It conveys intense distress and affliction, not just minor troubles.
- ruler:The word translated 'ruler' implies a leader or guide, someone who goes before and directs. It suggests a position of authority and leadership, not just a generic official.
ACT 7:11
- were finding:The word translated 'were finding' (in the sense of 'finding food') is related to fodder for animals. It emphasizes the basic, sustenance-level food they were seeking, highlighting their desperate need.