Acts 13:19 - When he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan, he gave them their land for an inheritance, for about four hundred fifty years.
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "Acts 13:19" mean?
Acts 13:19 is a verse from a speech given by the Apostle Paul in a synagogue in Antioch of Pisidia. In this speech, Paul recounts the history of Israel to demonstrate how Jesus fits into God's plan. Let's break down the verse:
"When he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan..." This refers to the conquest of Canaan by the Israelites under Joshua, as described in the Old Testament books of Joshua and Judges. The seven nations traditionally listed are the Hittites, Girgashites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites (Deuteronomy 7:1). The statement highlights God's power in enabling Israel to overcome these nations and take possession of the land promised to Abraham.
"...he gave them their land for an inheritance..." This emphasizes that the land of Canaan was a gift from God to the Israelites. It wasn't something they earned or seized on their own merit, but a part of God's covenant promise to their ancestors. The inheritance represents the fulfillment of God's promise.
"...for about four hundred fifty years." This is the most debated part of the verse. The time period of 450 years is not clearly stated in the Old Testament historical accounts. There are several interpretations to explain this duration:
1. Combined Period: Some scholars believe the 450 years encompass several periods in Israel's early history:
The Patriarchal period (from the birth of Isaac to the Exodus)
The time in the wilderness
The period of the Judges (from Joshua to Samuel).
2. Period of the Judges: The most popular interpretation is that this refers to the period of the Judges. However, calculating the precise length of the Judges period from the Old Testament texts is difficult and open to interpretation, with different calculations ranging from about 300 to over 400 years. The "about" in "about four hundred fifty years" indicates an approximation rather than a precise measurement.
3. Textual Variant: Some textual critics suggest that there might have been a scribal error in the transmission of the text. Some ancient manuscripts read differently, such as "after these things," which would make the 450 years less clear. However, the majority of ancient texts support the "450 years" reading.
Overall Meaning and Significance
In the context of Paul's speech, Acts 13:19 serves to:
Establish God's Faithfulness: It demonstrates God's faithfulness in fulfilling his promises to Israel over a long period.
Show God's Sovereignty: God is in control of history, orchestrating events to bring about his purposes.
Lead to Jesus: By recounting Israel's history, Paul prepares the audience to understand the significance of Jesus as the fulfillment of God's plan of salvation. The lineage from these events eventually leads to Jesus.
Provide Historical Context: It anchors the Christian message in the history of Israel, showing that Christianity is not a new or separate religion, but a continuation and culmination of God's dealings with humanity.
In summary, Acts 13:19 recalls God's actions in the conquest of Canaan, his gift of the land to Israel, and the approximate length of time that elapsed before the next major phase in Israel's history, all leading to the arrival of Jesus as the culmination of God's promises. The exact calculation of the 450 years is debated, but the verse's broader meaning is clear: God's faithfulness and power are evident throughout Israel's history.
Acts 13:19 - When he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan, he gave them their land for an inheritance, for about four hundred fifty years.
What does "Acts 13:19" mean?
Acts 13:19 is a verse from a speech given by the Apostle Paul in a synagogue in Antioch of Pisidia. In this speech, Paul recounts the history of Israel to demonstrate how Jesus fits into God's plan. Let's break down the verse:
"When he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan..." This refers to the conquest of Canaan by the Israelites under Joshua, as described in the Old Testament books of Joshua and Judges. The seven nations traditionally listed are the Hittites, Girgashites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites (Deuteronomy 7:1). The statement highlights God's power in enabling Israel to overcome these nations and take possession of the land promised to Abraham.
"...he gave them their land for an inheritance..." This emphasizes that the land of Canaan was a gift from God to the Israelites. It wasn't something they earned or seized on their own merit, but a part of God's covenant promise to their ancestors. The inheritance represents the fulfillment of God's promise.
"...for about four hundred fifty years." This is the most debated part of the verse. The time period of 450 years is not clearly stated in the Old Testament historical accounts. There are several interpretations to explain this duration:
1. Combined Period: Some scholars believe the 450 years encompass several periods in Israel's early history:
The Patriarchal period (from the birth of Isaac to the Exodus)
The time in the wilderness
The period of the Judges (from Joshua to Samuel).
2. Period of the Judges: The most popular interpretation is that this refers to the period of the Judges. However, calculating the precise length of the Judges period from the Old Testament texts is difficult and open to interpretation, with different calculations ranging from about 300 to over 400 years. The "about" in "about four hundred fifty years" indicates an approximation rather than a precise measurement.
3. Textual Variant: Some textual critics suggest that there might have been a scribal error in the transmission of the text. Some ancient manuscripts read differently, such as "after these things," which would make the 450 years less clear. However, the majority of ancient texts support the "450 years" reading.
Overall Meaning and Significance
In the context of Paul's speech, Acts 13:19 serves to:
Establish God's Faithfulness: It demonstrates God's faithfulness in fulfilling his promises to Israel over a long period.
Show God's Sovereignty: God is in control of history, orchestrating events to bring about his purposes.
Lead to Jesus: By recounting Israel's history, Paul prepares the audience to understand the significance of Jesus as the fulfillment of God's plan of salvation. The lineage from these events eventually leads to Jesus.
Provide Historical Context: It anchors the Christian message in the history of Israel, showing that Christianity is not a new or separate religion, but a continuation and culmination of God's dealings with humanity.
In summary, Acts 13:19 recalls God's actions in the conquest of Canaan, his gift of the land to Israel, and the approximate length of time that elapsed before the next major phase in Israel's history, all leading to the arrival of Jesus as the culmination of God's promises. The exact calculation of the 450 years is debated, but the verse's broader meaning is clear: God's faithfulness and power are evident throughout Israel's history.