Acts 7:13 - On the second time Joseph was made known to his brothers, and Joseph’s race was revealed to Pharaoh.

Generated Verse: Acts 7:13

What does "Acts 7:13" mean?


Acts 7:13 is part of Stephen's speech before the Sanhedrin in the Book of Acts. He's recounting the history of the Israelites, and this particular verse refers to two key events in the story of Joseph, as told in the Book of Genesis. Let's break it down:

"On the second time Joseph was made known to his brothers...": This refers to the second trip Joseph's brothers made to Egypt during a famine. The first time they went to buy grain, they didn't recognize Joseph (who was a high-ranking official). He tested them, accused them of being spies, and demanded that they bring Benjamin (their youngest brother) back with them as proof of their honesty. The second time they came, with Benjamin in tow, Joseph revealed his true identity to them. He could no longer contain himself and emotionally declared who he was.

"...and Joseph’s race was revealed to Pharaoh.": This means that Pharaoh learned that Joseph's people were Hebrews (or Israelites). While Pharaoh likely knew Joseph was a foreigner, it wasn't until Joseph revealed himself to his brothers that the connection between Joseph and these people, who would have been considered relatively unimportant shepherds, became clear to Pharaoh. The arrival of Joseph's large family and his emotional reunion with them would have demonstrated the size and importance of his extended kinship group. This was a pivotal moment in which the Hebrew's connection to Joseph, and thus Egypt, solidified.

In Summary:

The verse highlights two important revelations:

1. Internal Revelation: Joseph revealed his true identity to his brothers, mending a past wrong.
2. External Revelation: The Pharaoh became aware of Joseph's origins and the connection between Joseph and his people.

Why is this significant in Stephen's speech?

Stephen is using these historical events to illustrate a pattern in Israel's history. In this case, he is emphasizing that despite the past sins of Joseph's brothers (selling him into slavery), God still used Joseph to save them and their descendants. This connects to Stephen's larger argument that the Jewish leaders have consistently rejected God's messengers, including Jesus, just as their ancestors rejected Joseph.