Acts 7:5

New Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does Acts 7:5 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “and he gave him none inheritance in it, no, not so much as to set his foot on: and he promised that he would give it to him in possession, and to his seed after him, when [as yet] he had no child.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

and he gave him none inheritance in it, no, not so much as to set his foot on: and he promised that he would give it to him in possession, and to his seed after him, when [as yet] he had no child.
Acts 7:5 — American Standard Version

Context — Acts 7

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
5and he gave him none inheritance in it, no, not so much as to set his foot on: and he promised that he would give it to him in possession, and to his seed after him, when [as yet] he had no child.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And he gave him none inheritance in it, etc.] To be personally enjoyed by him; and which was a great trial to Abraham’s faith, to be brought out of his country, and into another land, and which was promised to him and his; and yet, as not the whole, so not a single part of it was given him to possess: no, not so much as to set his foot on: so that when Sarah his wife died, he was obliged to buy a piece of ground for a burying place to bury her in: and which could not be said to be given him by the Lord, for he bought it with his money: yet he promised that he would give it to him for a possession, and to his seed after him, when as yet he had no child; which was another exercise of Abraham’s…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“And he gave him none inheritance - Abraham led a wandering life; and this passage means that he did not himself receive a permanent possession or residence in that land. The only land which he owned was the field which he “purchased” of the children of Heth for a burial place, Genesis 23:0: As this was obtained by “purchase,” and not by the direct gift of God, and as it was not designed for a “residence,” it is said that God gave him no “inheritance.” It is mentioned as a strong instance of his faith that he should remain there without a permanent residence himself, with only the prospect that his children, at some distant period, would inherit it. Not so much as to set his foot on - This is…”
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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
“No, not to set his foot on - For the field mentioned, Act 7:16, he did not receive by a Divine donation, but bought it; even thereby showing that he was a stranger in the land. Acts 7:6”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“he gave: Gen 23:4; Psa 105:11, Psa 105:12; Heb 11:9, Heb 11:10, Heb 11:13-16 not: Deu 2:5 yet: Gen 12:7, Gen 13:15, Gen 15:3, Gen 15:18, Gen 17:8, Gen 26:3, Gen 28:13-15; Exo 6:7, Exo 6:8; Deu 6:10, Deu 6:11; Act 9:5, Act 10:11, Act 11:9, 34:4; Neh 9:8; Psa 105:8-11 when: Gen 15:2-5, Gen 16:2, Gen 17:16-19 Acts 7:6”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification