Acts 7:9
New International Version
“Because the patriarchs were jealous of Joseph, they sold him as a slave into Egypt. But God was with him

New Living Translation
“These patriarchs were jealous of their brother Joseph, and they sold him to be a slave in Egypt. But God was with him

English Standard Version
“And the patriarchs, jealous of Joseph, sold him into Egypt; but God was with him

Berean Standard Bible
Because the patriarchs were jealous of Joseph, they sold him as a slave into Egypt. But God was with him

Berean Literal Bible
And the patriarchs, having envied Joseph, sold him into Egypt. But God was with him

King James Bible
And the patriarchs, moved with envy, sold Joseph into Egypt: but God was with him,

New King James Version
“And the patriarchs, becoming envious, sold Joseph into Egypt. But God was with him

New American Standard Bible
“The patriarchs became jealous of Joseph and sold him into Egypt. Yet God was with him,

NASB 1995
“The patriarchs became jealous of Joseph and sold him into Egypt. Yet God was with him,

NASB 1977
“And the patriarchs became jealous of Joseph and sold him into Egypt. And yet God was with him,

Legacy Standard Bible
“And the patriarchs, becoming jealous of Joseph, sold him into Egypt. Yet God was with him,

Amplified Bible
“The [ten elder] patriarchs, overwhelmed with jealousy, sold [their younger brother] Joseph into [slavery in] Egypt; but God was with him,

Christian Standard Bible
“The patriarchs became jealous of Joseph and sold him into Egypt, but God was with him

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The patriarchs became jealous of Joseph and sold him into Egypt, but God was with him

American Standard Version
And the patriarchs, moved with jealousy against Joseph, sold him into Egypt: and God was with him,

Contemporary English Version
These men were our ancestors. Joseph was also one of our famous ancestors. His brothers were jealous of him and sold him as a slave to be taken to Egypt. But God was with him

English Revised Version
And the patriarchs, moved with jealousy against Joseph, sold him into Egypt: and God was with him,

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"Jacob's sons were jealous of their brother Joseph. They sold him into slavery, and he was taken to Egypt. But God was with Joseph

Good News Translation
"Jacob's sons became jealous of their brother Joseph and sold him to be a slave in Egypt. But God was with him

International Standard Version
"Joseph's brothers became jealous of him and sold Joseph as a slave in Egypt. However, God was with him

Majority Standard Bible
Because the patriarchs were jealous of Joseph, they sold him as a slave into Egypt. But God was with him

NET Bible
The patriarchs, because they were jealous of Joseph, sold him into Egypt. But God was with him,

New Heart English Bible
"The patriarchs, moved with jealousy against Joseph, sold him into Egypt; and God was with him,

Webster's Bible Translation
And the patriarchs, moved with envy, sold Joseph into Egypt: but God was with him,

Weymouth New Testament
"The Patriarchs were jealous of Joseph and sold him into slavery in Egypt. But God was with him

World English Bible
“The patriarchs, moved with jealousy against Joseph, sold him into Egypt. God was with him
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and the patriarchs, having been moved with jealousy, sold Joseph to Egypt, and God was with him,

Berean Literal Bible
And the patriarchs, having envied Joseph, sold him into Egypt. But God was with him

Young's Literal Translation
and the patriarchs, having been moved with jealousy, sold Joseph to Egypt, and God was with him,

Smith's Literal Translation
And the patriarchs having been jealous, sold Joseph into Egypt: but God was with him,
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And the patriarchs, through envy, sold Joseph into Egypt; and God was with him,

Catholic Public Domain Version
And the Patriarchs, being jealous, sold Joseph into Egypt. But God was with him.

New American Bible
“And the patriarchs, jealous of Joseph, sold him into slavery in Egypt; but God was with him

New Revised Standard Version
“The patriarchs, jealous of Joseph, sold him into Egypt; but God was with him,
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And our forefathers were jealous of Joseph; so they sold him into Egypt; but God was with him.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And our fathers were jealous of Joseph and they sold him into Egypt and God was with him.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
And the patriarchs, moved with envy, sold Joseph into Egypt: but God was with him,

Godbey New Testament
And the patriarchs, envying Joseph, sold him into Egypt:

Haweis New Testament
And the patriarchs, envious, sold Joseph into Egypt: yet God was with him,

Mace New Testament
the patriarchs being jealous of Joseph, sold him into Egypt: but God was with him,

Weymouth New Testament
"The Patriarchs were jealous of Joseph and sold him into slavery in Egypt. But God was with him

Worrell New Testament
And the patriarchs, moved with jealousy, sold Joseph into Egypt. And God was with him,

Worsley New Testament
And the patriarchs, envying him, sold Joseph into Egypt: but God was with him,

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Stephen's Address to the Sanhedrin
8Then God gave Abraham the covenant of circumcision, and Abraham became the father of Isaac and circumcised him on the eighth day. And Isaac became the father of Jacob, and Jacob of the twelve patriarchs. 9Because the patriarchs were jealous of Joseph, they sold him as a slave into Egypt. But God was with him 10and 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.…

Cross References
Genesis 37:4
When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them, they hated him and could not speak a kind word to him.

Genesis 37:11
And his brothers were jealous of him, but his father kept in mind what he had said.

Genesis 37:18-28
Now Joseph’s brothers saw him in the distance, and before he arrived, they plotted to kill him. / “Here comes that dreamer!” they said to one another. / “Come now, let us kill him and throw him into one of the pits. We can say that a vicious animal has devoured him. Then we shall see what becomes of his dreams!” ...

Genesis 45:4-5
Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Please come near me.” And they did so. “I am Joseph, your brother,” he said, “the one you sold into Egypt! / And now, do not be distressed or angry with yourselves that you sold me into this place, because it was to save lives that God sent me before you.

Genesis 50:20
As for you, what you intended against me for evil, God intended for good, in order to accomplish a day like this—to preserve the lives of many people.

Psalm 105:17-19
He sent a man before them—Joseph, sold as a slave. / They bruised his feet with shackles and placed his neck in irons, / until his prediction came true and the word of the LORD proved him right.

Genesis 39:1-2
Meanwhile, Joseph had been taken down to Egypt, where an Egyptian named Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh and captain of the guard, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had taken him there. / And the LORD was with Joseph, and he became a successful man, serving in the household of his Egyptian master.

Genesis 39:21
the LORD was with him and extended kindness to him, granting him favor in the eyes of the prison warden.

Genesis 41:39-41
Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one as discerning and wise as you. / You shall be in charge of my house, and all my people are to obey your commands. Only with regard to the throne will I be greater than you.” / Pharaoh also told Joseph, “I hereby place you over all the land of Egypt.”

Genesis 42:6-9
Now Joseph was the ruler of the land; he was the one who sold grain to all its people. So when his brothers arrived, they bowed down before him with their faces to the ground. / And when Joseph saw his brothers, he recognized them, but he treated them as strangers and spoke harshly to them. “Where have you come from?” he asked. “From the land of Canaan,” they replied. “We are here to buy food.” / Although Joseph recognized his brothers, they did not recognize him. ...

Genesis 45:7-8
God sent me before you to preserve you as a remnant on the earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance. / Therefore it was not you who sent me here, but God, who has made me a father to Pharaoh—lord of all his household and ruler over all the land of Egypt.

Genesis 50:24
Then Joseph said to his brothers, “I am about to die, but God will surely visit you and bring you up from this land to the land He promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.”

Exodus 1:8-10
Then a new king, who did not know Joseph, came to power in Egypt. / “Look,” he said to his people, “the Israelites have become too numerous and too powerful for us. / Come, let us deal shrewdly with them, or they will increase even more; and if a war breaks out, they may join our enemies, fight against us, and leave the country.”

Psalm 105:16-22
He called down famine on the land and cut off all their supplies of food. / He sent a man before them—Joseph, sold as a slave. / They bruised his feet with shackles and placed his neck in irons, ...

Matthew 21:38-39
But when the tenants saw the son, they said to one another, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and take his inheritance.’ / So they seized him and threw him out of the vineyard and killed him.


Treasury of Scripture

And the patriarchs, moved with envy, sold Joseph into Egypt: but God was with him,

moved.

Genesis 37:4-11
And when his brethren saw that their father loved him more than all his brethren, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably unto him…

Genesis 49:23
The archers have sorely grieved him, and shot at him, and hated him:

Matthew 27:18
For he knew that for envy they had delivered him.

sold.

Genesis 37:18-29
And when they saw him afar off, even before he came near unto them, they conspired against him to slay him…

Genesis 45:4
And Joseph said unto his brethren, Come near to me, I pray you. And they came near. And he said, I am Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt.

Genesis 50:15-20
And when Joseph's brethren saw that their father was dead, they said, Joseph will peradventure hate us, and will certainly requite us all the evil which we did unto him…

but.

Genesis 39:2,5,21-23
And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian…

Genesis 49:24
But his bow abode in strength, and the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob; (from thence is the shepherd, the stone of Israel:)

Isaiah 41:10
Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

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Egypt Egyptians Envy Envying Jealous Jealousy Joseph Money Moved Patriarchs Slave Slavery Sold
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Egypt Egyptians Envy Envying Jealous Jealousy Joseph Money Moved Patriarchs Slave Slavery Sold
Acts 7
1. Stephen, permitted to answer to the accusation of blasphemy,
2. shows that Abraham worshipped God rightly, and how God chose the fathers,
20. before Moses was born, and before the tabernacle and temple were built;
37. that Moses himself witnessed of Christ;
44. and that all outward ceremonies were ordained to last but for a time;
51. reprehending their rebellion, and murdering of Christ, whom the prophets foretold.
54. Whereupon they stone Stephen to death,
59. who commends his soul to Jesus, and humbly prays for them.














And the patriarchs
The term "patriarchs" refers to the sons of Jacob, who are the forefathers of the twelve tribes of Israel. In the Greek, "πατριάρχαι" (patriarchai) signifies the founding fathers or leaders of a family or tribe. This highlights the significant role these individuals played in the history of Israel. Their actions and decisions had long-lasting impacts on the narrative of God's people. The patriarchs, despite their flaws, were integral to God's unfolding plan, reminding us that God can work through imperfect people to fulfill His divine purposes.

jealous of Joseph
The Greek word for "jealous" is "ζηλώσαντες" (zēlōsantes), which conveys a sense of envy or zeal. This jealousy arose from Joseph's favored status with their father, Jacob, and his prophetic dreams that suggested his future prominence. This emotion led to destructive actions, illustrating how unchecked jealousy can lead to sin. The patriarchs' jealousy serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of envy and the importance of guarding our hearts against such feelings.

sold him as a slave
The act of selling Joseph into slavery was a grievous sin, reflecting the depth of the brothers' jealousy and hatred. The Greek word "ἀπέδοσαν" (apedosan) means to sell or deliver over. This transaction was not just a betrayal of familial bonds but also a violation of human dignity. Yet, this act of treachery was used by God to position Joseph in Egypt, setting the stage for the preservation of the entire family during a future famine. It underscores the biblical theme that God can redeem even the most sinful actions for His greater purpose.

into Egypt
Egypt, in the biblical narrative, often represents a place of both refuge and oppression. For Joseph, Egypt was initially a place of suffering and servitude. However, it became the land where he rose to power and was used by God to save many lives. The mention of Egypt here is significant, as it foreshadows the later enslavement of the Israelites and their eventual exodus, a pivotal event in Israel's history. It reminds us of God's sovereignty over nations and His ability to use any situation for His glory.

But God was with him
This phrase is a powerful testament to God's providence and faithfulness. The Greek "ὁ δὲ Θεὸς ἦν μετ’ αὐτοῦ" (ho de Theos ēn met' autou) emphasizes God's continual presence with Joseph, despite his circumstances. It reassures believers that no matter the trials or injustices we face, God is with us, guiding and sustaining us. This divine presence was the key to Joseph's success and eventual reconciliation with his brothers. It serves as an encouragement that God's presence can transform our suffering into a testimony of His grace and power.

(9) The patriarchs, moved with envy.--This, interpreted by what follows, is the first step in the long induction which is to show that the elect of God had always been opposed and rejected by those who were for the time the representatives of the nation. Envy had actuated the patriarchs when they sold Joseph; envy had led their descendants to deliver up Jesus (Matthew 27:18). But man's evil will had not frustrated God's gracious purpose. Joseph was made ruler over a kingdom. A greater glory might therefore be in store for Him who had now been rejected by them.

Sold Joseph into Egypt.--The objection that Joseph's brethren sold him not into Egypt, but to the Midianites and Ishmaelites (Genesis 37:25; Genesis 37:28), may well be dismissed as frivolous. They knew the trade which the Midianite slave-dealers carried on, and where their brother would be taken. So Joseph himself says of them "ye sold me hither" (Genesis 45:5).

Verse 9. - Moved with jealousy against Joseph, sold him, for moved with envy sold Joseph, A.V., more correctly, and in accordance with Genesis 37:11, LXX.; and for but, A.V. Moved with jealousy, etc. Here breaks out that part of Stephen's argument which went to show how the Israelites had always ill-used their greatest benefactors, and resisted the leaders sent to them by God.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
[Because]
Καὶ (Kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

the
οἱ (hoi)
Article - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

patriarchs
πατριάρχαι (patriarchai)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3966: A patriarch, head or founder of a family. From patria and archo; a progenitor.

were jealous
ζηλώσαντες (zēlōsantes)
Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 2206: From zelos; to have warmth of feeling for or against.

of Joseph,
Ἰωσὴφ (Iōsēph)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2501: Joseph, a proper name. Of Hebrew origin; Joseph, the name of seven Israelites.

they sold him as a slave
ἀπέδοντο (apedonto)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 591: From apo and didomi; to give away, i.e. Up, over, back, etc.

into
εἰς (eis)
Preposition
Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.

Egypt.
Αἴγυπτον (Aigypton)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 125: Egypt. Of uncertain derivation.

But
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

God
Θεὸς (Theos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316: A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.

was
ἦν (ēn)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

with
μετ’ (met’)
Preposition
Strong's 3326: (a) gen: with, in company with, (b) acc: (1) behind, beyond, after, of place, (2) after, of time, with nouns, neut. of adjectives.

him
αὐτοῦ (autou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.


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NT Apostles: Acts 7:9 The patriarchs moved with jealousy against Joseph (Acts of the Apostles Ac)
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