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Acts 7:40

New Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does Acts 7:40 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “saying unto Aaron, Make us gods that shall go before us: for as for this Moses, who led us forth out of the land of Egypt, we know not what is become of him.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

saying unto Aaron, Make us gods that shall go before us: for as for this Moses, who led us forth out of the land of Egypt, we know not what is become of him.
Acts 7:40 — American Standard Version

Context — Acts 7

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
37This is that Moses, who said unto the children of Israel, A prophet shall God raise up unto you from among your brethren, like unto me.
38This is he that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel that spake to him in the Mount Sinai, and with our fathers: who received living oracles to give unto us:
39to whom our fathers would not be obedient, but thrust him from them, and turned back in their hearts unto Egypt,
40saying unto Aaron, Make us gods that shall go before us: for as for this Moses, who led us forth out of the land of Egypt, we know not what is become of him.
41And they made a calf in those days, and brought a sacrifice unto the idol, and rejoiced in the works of their hands.
42But God turned, and gave them up to serve the host of heaven; as it is written in the book of the prophets, Did ye offer unto me slain beasts and sacrifices Forty years in the wilderness, O house of Israel?
43And ye took up the tabernacle of Moloch, And the star of the god Rephan, The figures which ye made to worship them: And I will carry you away beyond Babylon.
← Acts 7:39Acts 7:41 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Saying unto Aaron, make us gods to go before us, etc.] This is a proof of their disobedience to the law of Moses, and of their rejection of him, and of the inclination of their hearts to the idolatry of the Egyptians; which shows the gross stupidity, as well as ingratitude of this people, to think that gods could be made; and that those that are made could go before them, be guides unto them, and protectors of them; when they have eyes, but see not, and hands, but handle not, and feet, but walk not: for as for this Moses; whom they speak of with great contempt, and in a very irreverent way: which brought us out of the land of Egypt; which they mention not with gratitude, but as reflecting…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Saying unto Aaron - Exodus 32:1. Make us gods - That is, idols. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Make us gods to go before us - Back into Egypt. Exo 32:1. Acts 7:41”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“unto: Exo 32:1 Acts 7:41”
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Related study paths

Read Acts 7 in contextBrowse Greek word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification