Acts 7:33
New International Version
“Then the Lord said to him, ‘Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.

New Living Translation
“Then the LORD said to him, ‘Take off your sandals, for you are standing on holy ground.

English Standard Version
Then the Lord said to him, ‘Take off the sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.

Berean Standard Bible
Then the Lord said to him, ‘Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.

Berean Literal Bible
And the Lord said to him, 'Take off the sandal of your feet, for the place on which you stand is holy ground.

King James Bible
Then said the Lord to him, Put off thy shoes from thy feet: for the place where thou standest is holy ground.

New King James Version
‘Then the LORD said to him, “Take your sandals off your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground.

New American Standard Bible
But the LORD said to him, ‘REMOVE YOUR SANDALS FROM YOUR FEET, FOR THE PLACE ON WHICH YOU ARE STANDING IS HOLY GROUND.

NASB 1995
“BUT THE LORD SAID TO HIM, ‘TAKE OFF THE SANDALS FROM YOUR FEET, FOR THE PLACE ON WHICH YOU ARE STANDING IS HOLY GROUND.

NASB 1977
“BUT THE LORD SAID TO HIM, ‘TAKE OFF THE SANDALS FROM YOUR FEET, FOR THE PLACE ON WHICH YOU ARE STANDING IS HOLY GROUND.

Legacy Standard Bible
BUT THE LORD SAID TO HIM, ‘REMOVE THE SANDALS FROM YOUR FEET, FOR THE PLACE ON WHICH YOU ARE STANDING IS HOLY GROUND.

Amplified Bible
THEN THE LORD SAID TO HIM, ‘REMOVE THE SANDALS FROM YOUR FEET, FOR THE PLACE WHERE YOU ARE STANDING IS HOLY GROUND [worthy of reverence and respect].

Christian Standard Bible
“The Lord said to him: Take off the sandals from your feet, because the place where you are standing is holy ground.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then the Lord said to him: Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.

American Standard Version
And the Lord said unto him, Loose the shoes from thy feet: for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground.

Contemporary English Version
The Lord said to him, "Take off your sandals, because the place where you are standing is holy.

English Revised Version
And the Lord said unto him, Loose the shoes from thy feet: for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The Lord told him, 'Take off your sandals. The place where you're standing is holy ground.

Good News Translation
The Lord said to him, 'Take your sandals off, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.

International Standard Version
Then the Lord told him, 'Remove your sandals from your feet, because the place where you are standing is holy ground.

Majority Standard Bible
Then the Lord said to him, ?Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.

NET Bible
But the Lord said to him, 'Take the sandals off your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.

New Heart English Bible
The Lord said to him, 'Take your sandals off of your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground.

Webster's Bible Translation
Then said the Lord to him, Put off thy shoes from thy feet: for the place where thou standest is holy ground.

Weymouth New Testament
"'Take off your shoes,' said the Lord, 'for the spot on which you are standing is holy ground.

World English Bible
The Lord said to him, ‘Take off your sandals, for the place where you stand is holy ground.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and the LORD said to him, Loose the sandal of your feet, for the place in which you have stood is holy ground;

Berean Literal Bible
And the Lord said to him, 'Take off the sandal of your feet, for the place on which you stand is holy ground.

Young's Literal Translation
and the Lord said to him, Loose the sandal of thy feet, for the place in which thou hast stood is holy ground;

Smith's Literal Translation
And the Lord said to him, Loose the shoes of thy feet: for the place in which thou standest is holy land.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And the Lord said to him: Loose the shoes from thy feet, for the place wherein thou standest, is holy ground.

Catholic Public Domain Version
But the Lord said to him: ‘Loosen the shoes from your feet. For the place in which you stand is holy ground.

New American Bible
But the Lord said to him, ‘Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground.

New Revised Standard Version
Then the Lord said to him, ‘Take off the sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Then the LORD said to him, Take off your shoes from your feet, for the ground on which you stand is holy.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And THE LORD JEHOVAH said to him, 'Loose your shoes from your feet, for the ground on which you stand is holy.'
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
Then said the Lord to him: Loose your shoes from your feet; for the place in which you stand is holy ground.

Godbey New Testament
And the Lord said to him, Loose the sandal of thy feet: for the place on which thou standest is holy ground.

Haweis New Testament
Then the Lord said unto him, ?Loose the sandal from thy feet: for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground.

Mace New Testament
then said the Lord to him, "put off thy shoes from thy feet: for the place where thou standest is holy ground.

Weymouth New Testament
"'Take off your shoes,' said the Lord, 'for the spot on which you are standing is holy ground.

Worrell New Testament
And the Lord said to him, 'Loose the sandals from your feet; for the place on which you have been standing is holy ground.

Worsley New Testament
And the Lord said to him, "Take off thy shoes from thy feet: for the place on which thou standest is holy ground.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Stephen's Address to the Sanhedrin
32‘I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.’ Moses trembled with fear and did not dare to look. 33Then the Lord said to him, ‘Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground. 34I have indeed seen the oppression of My people in Egypt. I have heard their groaning and have come down to deliver them. Now come, I will send you back to Egypt.’…

Cross References
Exodus 3:5
“Do not come any closer,” God said. “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.”

Joshua 5:15
The Commander of the LORD’s army replied, “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did so.

Isaiah 6:1-5
In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted; and the train of His robe filled the temple. / Above Him stood seraphim, each having six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. / And they were calling out to one another: “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of Hosts; all the earth is full of His glory.” ...

Hebrews 12:18-21
For you have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom, and storm; / to a trumpet blast or to a voice that made its hearers beg that no further word be spoken. / For they could not bear what was commanded: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned.” ...

Matthew 22:32
‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? He is not the God of the dead, but of the living.”

Mark 12:26
But concerning the dead rising, have you not read about the burning bush in the Book of Moses, how God told him, ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’?

Luke 20:37
Even Moses demonstrates that the dead are raised, in the passage about the burning bush. For he calls the Lord ‘the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’

Exodus 19:12-13
And you are to set up a boundary for the people around the mountain and tell them, ‘Be careful not to go up on the mountain or touch its base. Whoever touches the mountain shall surely be put to death. / No hand shall touch him, but he shall surely be stoned or shot with arrows—whether man or beast, he must not live.’ Only when the ram’s horn sounds a long blast may they approach the mountain.”

Deuteronomy 33:2
He said: “The LORD came from Sinai and dawned upon us from Seir; He shone forth from Mount Paran and came with myriads of holy ones, with flaming fire at His right hand.

Psalm 68:17
The chariots of God are tens of thousands—thousands of thousands are they; the Lord is in His sanctuary as He was at Sinai.

1 Kings 19:12-13
After the earthquake there was a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a still, small voice. / When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Suddenly a voice came to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

Revelation 1:17
When I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man. But He placed His right hand on me and said, “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last,

2 Peter 1:18
And we ourselves heard this voice from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain.

John 12:28-30
Father, glorify Your name!” Then a voice came from heaven: “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” / The crowd standing there heard it and said that it had thundered. Others said that an angel had spoken to Him. / In response, Jesus said, “This voice was not for My benefit, but yours.

1 Timothy 6:16
He alone is immortal and dwells in unapproachable light. No one has ever seen Him, nor can anyone see Him. To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen.


Treasury of Scripture

Then said the Lord to him, Put off your shoes from your feet: for the place where you stand is holy ground.

Put.

Exodus 3:5
And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground.

Joshua 5:15
And the captain of the LORD'S host said unto Joshua, Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest is holy. And Joshua did so.

Ecclesiastes 5:1
Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil.

Jump to Previous
Feet Ground Holy Loose Sandal Sandals Shoes Spot Stand Standest Standing Stood Whereon
Jump to Next
Feet Ground Holy Loose Sandal Sandals Shoes Spot Stand Standest Standing Stood Whereon
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.














Then the Lord said to him
This phrase refers to God speaking directly to Moses. It highlights the personal nature of God's communication with His chosen leaders. In the context of Acts 7, Stephen is recounting the history of Israel to the Sanhedrin, emphasizing God's direct involvement in guiding His people. This divine encounter is a pivotal moment in Moses' life, marking the beginning of his mission to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. It parallels other instances in Scripture where God speaks directly to individuals, such as His conversations with Abraham (Genesis 12:1) and Samuel (1 Samuel 3:10).

‘Take off your sandals
Removing sandals is a sign of reverence and respect in the presence of the divine. In ancient Near Eastern culture, it was customary to remove shoes when entering a sacred space, acknowledging the holiness of the ground. This act signifies humility and submission before God. The removal of sandals can also symbolize the shedding of earthly ties and impurities, preparing Moses to receive God's instructions. This practice is echoed in Joshua 5:15, where Joshua is also instructed to remove his sandals in the presence of the Lord.

for the place where you are standing is holy ground.
The concept of "holy ground" indicates a location set apart by God's presence. Although the physical location is the desert near Mount Horeb (also known as Mount Sinai), it becomes holy because of God's manifestation there. This underscores the idea that holiness is not inherent in the place itself but is conferred by God's presence. The burning bush encounter (Exodus 3:5) is a theophany, a visible manifestation of God, which transforms the ordinary into the sacred. This theme of holiness is central to the biblical narrative, as seen in the construction of the Tabernacle and later the Temple, where God's presence dwells among His people. The holiness of God is a recurring theme throughout Scripture, calling believers to live in reverence and obedience.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Stephen
The speaker in Acts 7, delivering a powerful sermon before the Sanhedrin, recounting Israel's history and God's faithfulness.

2. Moses
The central figure in this verse, who encounters God in the burning bush on Mount Horeb, a pivotal moment in his calling to lead the Israelites out of Egypt.

3. Mount Horeb
Also known as Mount Sinai, this is the location where Moses encounters God, and it is considered a holy place due to God's presence.

4. The Burning Bush
A miraculous event where God appears to Moses in a bush that is on fire but not consumed, symbolizing God's holy presence and calling.

5. The Lord (Yahweh)
The one speaking to Moses, emphasizing His holiness and the sanctity of the ground due to His presence.
Teaching Points
Reverence for God's Holiness
Recognize the holiness of God and approach Him with reverence and humility, acknowledging His presence in our lives.

God's Presence Transforms Ordinary Places
Understand that any place can become holy ground when God is present, encouraging us to seek His presence in our daily lives.

Responding to God's Call
Like Moses, be ready to respond to God's call, understanding that He equips those He calls, even in moments of doubt or inadequacy.

Symbolism of Removing Sandals
Removing sandals symbolizes the removal of worldly concerns and distractions, encouraging us to focus solely on God when in His presence.

God's Faithfulness in History
Reflect on how God has been faithful throughout history, as recounted by Stephen, and trust in His continued faithfulness in our lives.(33, 34) Then said the Lord to him . . . .--The words are almost a verbal reproduction of Exodus 3:5; Exodus 3:7-8. The citation was in part an implied answer to the charge of disregarding the sanctity of places in which man stands as in the presence of God, partly an implied protest against the narrowing thoughts which limited that sanctity to the Temple of Jerusalem.

Verse 33. - And the Lord said unto him for then said the Lord to him, A.V.; loose the shoes for put off by shoes, A.V. Loose the shoes, etc. In Exodus 3:5 it is λύσαι... ἐκ τῶν ποδῶν σου. Iamblichus, quoted by Meyer, refers the Pythagorean precept, "Sacrifice and worship with thy shoes off," to an Egyptian custom. The custom of Orientals to take off their sandals on entering mosques or other sacred places, as existing to the present day, is noticed by many travelers (see also Joshua 5:15).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Then
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

the
(ho)
Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

Lord
Κύριος (Kyrios)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2962: Lord, master, sir; the Lord. From kuros; supreme in authority, i.e. controller; by implication, Master.

said
Εἶπεν (Eipen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2036: Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.

to him,
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.

‘Take off
Λῦσον (Lyson)
Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 3089: A primary verb; to 'loosen'.

[your]
τὸ (to)
Article - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

sandals,
ὑπόδημα (hypodēma)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 5266: A sandal; anything bound under. From hupodeo; something bound under the feet, i.e. A shoe or sandal.

for
γὰρ (gar)
Conjunction
Strong's 1063: For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.

the
(ho)
Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

place
τόπος (topos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5117: Apparently a primary word; a spot, i.e. Location; figuratively, condition, opportunity; specially, a scabbard.

where
(hō)
Personal / Relative Pronoun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3739: Who, which, what, that.

you are standing
ἕστηκας (hestēkas)
Verb - Perfect Indicative Active - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 2476: A prolonged form of a primary stao stah'-o; to stand, used in various applications.

is
ἐστίν (estin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

holy
ἁγία (hagia)
Adjective - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 40: Set apart by (or for) God, holy, sacred. From hagos; sacred.

ground.
γῆ (gē)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1093: Contracted from a primary word; soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe.


Links
Acts 7:33 NIV
Acts 7:33 NLT
Acts 7:33 ESV
Acts 7:33 NASB
Acts 7:33 KJV

Acts 7:33 BibleApps.com
Acts 7:33 Biblia Paralela
Acts 7:33 Chinese Bible
Acts 7:33 French Bible
Acts 7:33 Catholic Bible

NT Apostles: Acts 7:33 The Lord said to him 'Take your (Acts of the Apostles Ac)
Acts 7:32
Top of Page
Top of Page