Acts 7:23
New International Version
“When Moses was forty years old, he decided to visit his own people, the Israelites.

New Living Translation
“One day when Moses was forty years old, he decided to visit his relatives, the people of Israel.

English Standard Version
“When he was forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brothers, the children of Israel.

Berean Standard Bible
When Moses was forty years old, he decided to visit his brothers, the children of Israel.

Berean Literal Bible
Now when his period of forty years was fulfilled, it came into his mind to visit his brothers, the sons of Israel.

King James Bible
And when he was full forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren the children of Israel.

New King James Version
“Now when he was forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren, the children of Israel.

New American Standard Bible
But when he was approaching the age of forty, it entered his mind to visit his countrymen, the sons of Israel.

NASB 1995
“But when he was approaching the age of forty, it entered his mind to visit his brethren, the sons of Israel.

NASB 1977
“But when he was approaching the age of forty, it entered his mind to visit his brethren, the sons of Israel.

Legacy Standard Bible
But when he was approaching the age of forty, it entered his heart to visit his brothers, the sons of Israel.

Amplified Bible
But when he reached the age of forty, it came into his heart to visit his brothers, the sons of Israel.

Christian Standard Bible
“When he was forty years old, he decided to visit his own people, the Israelites.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
As he was approaching the age of 40, he decided to visit his brothers, the Israelites.

American Standard Version
But when he was well-nigh forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren the children of Israel.

Contemporary English Version
When Moses was 40 years old, he wanted to help the Israelites because they were his own people.

English Revised Version
But when he was well-nigh forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren the children of Israel.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
When he was 40 years old, he decided to visit his own people, the Israelites.

Good News Translation
"When Moses was forty years old, he decided to find out how his fellow Israelites were being treated.

International Standard Version
"When he was 40 years old, he decided to visit his brothers, the descendants of Israel.

Majority Standard Bible
When Moses was forty years old, he decided to visit his brothers, the children of Israel.

NET Bible
But when he was about forty years old, it entered his mind to visit his fellow countrymen the Israelites.

New Heart English Bible
But when he was forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brothers, the children of Israel.

Webster's Bible Translation
And when he was full forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren the children of Israel.

Weymouth New Testament
"And when he was just forty years old, it occurred to him to visit his brethren the descendants of Israel.

World English Bible
But when he was forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brothers, the children of Israel.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And when forty years were fulfilled to him, it came on his heart to look after his brothers, the sons of Israel;

Berean Literal Bible
Now when his period of forty years was fulfilled, it came into his mind to visit his brothers, the sons of Israel.

Young's Literal Translation
'And when forty years were fulfilled to him, it came upon his heart to look after his brethren, the sons of Israel;

Smith's Literal Translation
And when the time of forty years was completed to him, it came up upon his heart to take a view of his brethren the sons of Israel.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And when he was full forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren, the children of Israel.

Catholic Public Domain Version
But when forty years of age were completed in him, it rose up in his heart that he should visit his brothers, the sons of Israel.

New American Bible
“When he was forty years old, he decided to visit his kinsfolk, the Israelites.

New Revised Standard Version
“When he was forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his relatives, the Israelites.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And when he was forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren, the children of Israel.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
When he was forty years old, it came upon his heart to visit his brethren and the children of Israel.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
When he had completed his fortieth year, it came into his heart to visit his brethren, the sons of Israel.

Godbey New Testament
And when the time of the fortieth year was fulfilled to him, it came into his heart to visit his brethren, the children of Israel.

Haweis New Testament
But when he had completed his fortieth year, it came into his heart to visit his brethren the children of Israel.

Mace New Testament
when he was full forty years old, he took the resolution to visit his brethren the children of Israel.

Weymouth New Testament
"And when he was just forty years old, it occurred to him to visit his brethren the descendants of Israel.

Worrell New Testament
But, when his fortieth year was being completed, it came into his heart to visit his brethren, the sons of Israel.

Worsley New Testament
And when he was full forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren the children of Israel.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Stephen's Address to the Sanhedrin
22So Moses was educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians and was powerful in speech and action. 23 When Moses was forty years old, he decided to visit his brothers, the children of Israel. 24And when he saw one of them being mistreated, Moses went to his defense and avenged him by striking down the Egyptian who was oppressing him.…

Cross References
Exodus 2:11-12
One day, after Moses had grown up, he went out to his own people and observed their hard labor. He saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his own people. / After looking this way and that and seeing no one, he struck down the Egyptian and hid his body in the sand.

Hebrews 11:24-26
By faith Moses, when he was grown, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. / He chose to suffer oppression with God’s people rather than to experience the fleeting enjoyment of sin. / He valued disgrace for Christ above the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking ahead to his reward.

Exodus 3:10
Therefore, go! I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring My people the Israelites out of Egypt.”

Exodus 2:15
When Pharaoh heard about this matter, he sought to kill Moses. But Moses fled from Pharaoh and settled in the land of Midian, where he sat down beside a well.

Exodus 2:17
And when some shepherds came along and drove them away, Moses rose up to help them and watered their flock.

Exodus 2:13-14
The next day Moses went out and saw two Hebrews fighting. He asked the one in the wrong, “Why are you attacking your companion?” / But the man replied, “Who made you ruler and judge over us? Are you planning to kill me as you killed the Egyptian?” Then Moses was afraid and thought, “This thing I have done has surely become known.”

Exodus 3:1-2
Meanwhile, Moses was shepherding the flock of his father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian. He led the flock to the far side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. / There the angel of the LORD appeared to him in a blazing fire from within a bush. Moses saw the bush ablaze with fire, but it was not consumed.

Exodus 4:18-20
Then Moses went back to his father-in-law Jethro and said to him, “Please let me return to my brothers in Egypt to see if they are still alive.” “Go in peace,” Jethro replied. / Now the LORD had said to Moses in Midian, “Go back to Egypt, for all the men who sought to kill you are dead.” / So Moses took his wife and sons, put them on a donkey, and headed back to Egypt. And he took the staff of God in his hand.

Exodus 2:5-6
Soon the daughter of Pharaoh went down to bathe in the Nile, and her attendants were walking along the riverbank. And when she saw the basket among the reeds, she sent her maidservant to retrieve it. / When she opened it, she saw the child, and behold, the little boy was crying. So she had compassion on him and said, “This is one of the Hebrew children.”

Exodus 2:7-10
Then his sister said to Pharaoh’s daughter, “Shall I go and call one of the Hebrew women to nurse the child for you?” / “Go ahead,” Pharaoh’s daughter told her. And the girl went and called the boy’s mother. / Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Take this child and nurse him for me, and I will pay your wages.” So the woman took the boy and nursed him. ...

Exodus 2:16
Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters, and they came to draw water and fill the troughs to water their father’s flock.

Exodus 2:21-22
Moses agreed to stay with the man, and he gave his daughter Zipporah to Moses in marriage. / And she gave birth to a son, and Moses named him Gershom, saying, “I have become a foreigner in a foreign land.”

Exodus 3:7-8
The LORD said, “I have indeed seen the affliction of My people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their oppressors, and I am aware of their sufferings. / I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land to a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey—the home of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites.

Exodus 3:11-12
But Moses asked God, “Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” / “I will surely be with you,” God said, “and this will be the sign to you that I have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, all of you will worship God on this mountain.”

Exodus 4:1-5
Then Moses answered, “What if they do not believe me or listen to my voice? For they may say, ‘The LORD has not appeared to you.’” / And the LORD asked him, “What is that in your hand?” “A staff,” he replied. / “Throw it on the ground,” said the LORD. So Moses threw it on the ground, and it became a snake, and he ran from it. ...


Treasury of Scripture

And when he was full forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brothers the children of Israel.

when.

Exodus 2:11,12
And it came to pass in those days, when Moses was grown, that he went out unto his brethren, and looked on their burdens: and he spied an Egyptian smiting an Hebrew, one of his brethren…

Hebrews 11:24-26
By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; …

it came.

Exodus 35:21,29
And they came, every one whose heart stirred him up, and every one whom his spirit made willing, and they brought the LORD'S offering to the work of the tabernacle of the congregation, and for all his service, and for the holy garments…

1 Chronicles 29:17-19
I know also, my God, that thou triest the heart, and hast pleasure in uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of mine heart I have willingly offered all these things: and now have I seen with joy thy people, which are present here, to offer willingly unto thee…

2 Chronicles 30:12
Also in Judah the hand of God was to give them one heart to do the commandment of the king and of the princes, by the word of the LORD.

to.

Acts 15:36
And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they do.

Exodus 4:18
And Moses went and returned to Jethro his father in law, and said unto him, Let me go, I pray thee, and return unto my brethren which are in Egypt, and see whether they be yet alive. And Jethro said to Moses, Go in peace.

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Age Almost Approaching Children Decided Descendants Entered Fellow Forty Fulfilled Full Heart Israel Israelites Mind Moses Occurred Period Visit Well-Nigh
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Age Almost Approaching Children Decided Descendants Entered Fellow Forty Fulfilled Full Heart Israel Israelites Mind Moses Occurred Period Visit Well-Nigh
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.














When Moses was forty years old
The age of forty in biblical terms often signifies a period of testing, trial, or preparation. Moses' life is traditionally divided into three forty-year segments: his time in Egypt, his time in Midian, and his leadership of Israel. The number forty is significant throughout Scripture, often marking a period of transformation or preparation, such as the forty days and nights of rain during the flood (Genesis 7:12) or Jesus' forty days in the wilderness (Matthew 4:2). At forty, Moses is at a pivotal point, having been raised in Pharaoh's palace with all the wisdom of the Egyptians (Acts 7:22), yet he is about to embark on a journey that will redefine his identity and purpose.

he decided to visit
The Greek word used here for "decided" is "ἀνέβη" (anebē), which can also mean "to go up" or "to ascend." This implies a deliberate and significant action on Moses' part. It suggests a stirring within Moses, a divine prompting or realization of his true heritage and calling. This decision marks the beginning of Moses' transition from a prince of Egypt to a leader of the Israelites. It is a moment of awakening to his God-given mission, reflecting the inner conviction and courage required to step into one's divine purpose.

his brothers
The term "brothers" here is significant, as it denotes a familial bond and a sense of belonging. Despite being raised in the Egyptian royal household, Moses identifies with the Hebrews, acknowledging them as his kin. This identification is crucial, as it sets the stage for his role as a deliverer. The use of "brothers" emphasizes the unity and shared identity among the Israelites, which Moses will later be instrumental in strengthening. It also foreshadows the New Testament concept of believers as brothers and sisters in Christ, united in faith and purpose.

the children of Israel
This phrase refers to the descendants of Jacob, also known as Israel, and highlights the covenant relationship between God and His chosen people. The term "children" underscores the idea of inheritance and continuity of God's promises. Historically, the Israelites were living in bondage in Egypt, yet they were the bearers of God's covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Moses' visit signifies a turning point in their history, as God begins to fulfill His promise of deliverance. This phrase also serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness to His people, despite their circumstances, and His sovereign plan to bring about redemption and freedom.

(23) It came into his heart.--The distinct purpose in going out to look after his brethren is stated somewhat more emphatically than in Exodus 2:11.

Verse 23. - Well-nigh for full, A.V. When he was precisely forty years old (Meyer) The exact meaning seems to be "when he was in the act of completing forty years." The account in Exodus 2:11 only says, "When Moses was grown" (μέγας γενόμενος, LXX.); the age of forty years, and the number of years, forty, that he sojourned in Midian, as given below, ver. 30, are traditional. "There are that say that Moses was forty years in Pharaoh's palace, forty years in Midian, and forty years in the wilderness" (Tauchum, in Exodus it.). "Moses was forty years in Pharaoh's court, and forty years in Midian, and forty years he served Israel" (Beresh. Rabb.), both quoted by Lightfoot ('Comment. and Exercitations upon the Acts'). The sum total of the three periods of forty years is given as the length of Moses' life, viz. a hundred and twenty years (Deuteronomy 34:7). Ver. 24. - Smiting for and smote, A.V.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
When
Ὡς (Hōs)
Adverb
Strong's 5613: Probably adverb of comparative from hos; which how, i.e. In that manner.

[Moses]
αὐτῷ (autō)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 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.

[was]
χρόνος (chronos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5550: A space of time or interval; by extension, an individual opportunity; by implication, delay.

forty years
τεσσερακονταέτης (tesserakontaetēs)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5063: Forty years of age. From tessarakonta and etos; of forty years of age.

[old],
ἐπληροῦτο (eplērouto)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 4137: From pleres; to make replete, i.e. to cram, level up, or to furnish, satisfy, execute, finish, verify, etc.

he decided
ἀνέβη (anebē)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 305: To go up, mount, ascend; of things: I rise, spring up, come up. From ana and the base of basis; to go up.

to visit
ἐπισκέψασθαι (episkepsasthai)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Middle
Strong's 1980: To look upon, visit, look out, select.

his
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.

brothers,
ἀδελφοὺς (adelphous)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 80: A brother, member of the same religious community, especially a fellow-Christian. A brother near or remote.

the
τοὺς (tous)
Article - Accusative 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.

sons
υἱοὺς (huious)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 5207: A son, descendent. Apparently a primary word; a 'son', used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship.

of Israel.
Ἰσραήλ (Israēl)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2474: Of Hebrew origin; Israel, the adopted name of Jacob, including his descendants.


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NT Apostles: Acts 7:23 But when he was forty years old (Acts of the Apostles Ac)
Acts 7:22
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