SEV Biblia, Chapter 7:23
Y como se le cumpli el tiempo de cuarenta aos, subi en su corazn visitar a sus hermanos, los hijos de Israel.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Acts 7:23
Verse 23. When he was full forty years old] This was a general tradition among the Jews: "Moses was forty years in Pharaoh's court, forty years in Midian, and forty years he served Israel." To visit his brethren] Probably on the ground of trying to deliver them from their oppressive bondage. This desire seems to have been early infused into his mind by the Spirit of God; and the effect of this desire to deliver his oppressed countrymen was his refusing to be called the son of Pharoah's daughter-see Hebrews xi. 24, and thus renouncing all right to the Egyptian crown, choosing rather to endure affliction with the people of God than enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 23. And when he was full forty years old , etc.] This Stephen had from tradition, and not from Scripture, which is silent about the age of Moses at this time, and only says, it came to pass in those days when Moses was grown, ( Exodus 2:11) but that he was at this time at such an age, is the general sense of the Jews. Upon the above mentioned passage they have this note f319 twenty years old was Moses at that time; and there are that say, that he was forty years old. And elsewhere still more particularly; Moses was forty years in the palace of Pharaoh, forty years in Midian, (the Amsterdam edition reads, rbdmb , in the wilderness, wrongly,) and he served Israel forty years. Indeed, the fabulous history of his life makes him to be but fifteen years of age at this time f321 ; but Stephens account is undoubtedly right, and which is confirmed by the above testimonies. It came into his heart ; by the Spirit of God, under a more than ordinary impulse of which he now was: to visit his brethren, the children of Israel ; whom he knew to be his brethren, partly from the common report in Pharaohs court concerning him, and partly from the mark of circumcision in his flesh, and chiefly from divine revelation: for some years he had lived a courtly and military life, and had took no notice of the Israelites in their oppressions; but now the Lord laid it upon his heart to visit them, and observe how things were with them; and though he could not use any public and open authority, yet Philo the Jew says f322 , that he exhorted the officers to use mildness and moderation with them, and comforted and encouraged the Israelites to bear their burdens with patience and constancy, and not sink under them; suggesting, that things would take another turn, and would change for the better in time.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 17-29 - Let us not be discouraged at the slowness of the fulfilling of God' promises. Suffering times often are growing times with the church. God is preparing for his people's deliverance, when their day is darkest and their distress deepest. Moses was exceeding fair, "fair towar God;" it is the beauty of holiness which is in God's sight of grea price. He was wonderfully preserved in his infancy; for God will tak special care of those of whom he designs to make special use. And di he thus protect the child Moses? Much more will he secure the interest of his holy child Jesus, from the enemies who are gathered togethe against him. They persecuted Stephen for disputing in defence of Chris and his gospel: in opposition to these they set up Moses and his law They may understand, if they do not wilfully shut their eyes agains the light, that God will, by this Jesus, deliver them out of a wors slavery than that of Egypt. Although men prolong their own miseries yet the Lord will take care of his servants, and effect his own design of mercy.
Greek Textus Receptus
ως 5613 ADV δε 1161 CONJ επληρουτο 4137 5712 V-IPI-3S αυτω 846 P-DSM τεσσαρακονταετης 5063 A-NSM χρονος 5550 N-NSM ανεβη 305 5627 V-2AAI-3S επι 1909 PREP την 3588 T-ASF καρδιαν 2588 N-ASF αυτου 846 P-GSM επισκεψασθαι 1980 5664 V-ADN τους 3588 T-APM αδελφους 80 N-APM αυτου 846 P-GSM τους 3588 T-APM υιους 5207 N-APM ισραηλ 2474 N-PRI
Vincent's NT Word Studies
23. It came into his heart (anebh epi thn kardian). Lit., "it arose into his heart." "There may be something in the depth of the soul which afterward emerges and ascends from that sea into the heart as into an island" (Bengel). The expression is imitated from the Hebrew, and occurs in the Septuagint: "The ark shall not come to mind;" lit., go up into the heart (Jer. iii. 16). See, also, Jer. xxxii. 35; Isa. lxv. 17.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
7:23 {When he was well-nigh forty years old} (hws eplerouto autwi tessarakontaetes cronos). A rather awkward Greek idiom for the English: "When a forty year old time (same idiom in #Ac 13:18 and only twice in the N.T.) was being fulfilled (eplerouto, imperfect passive) for him (dative case)." The life of Moses is divided into three periods of forty years each (in Egypt 40 years, in Midian 40, governed Israel 40, 120 when he died, #De 34:7). {It came into his heart} (anebe epi ten kardian autou). Second aorist active indicative of anabainw, common verb. Came up as if from the lower deeps of his nature. this Hebrew image occurs in #Jer 3:16; Isa 65:17; 1Co 2:9. {To visit} (episkeyasqai). First aorist middle infinitive of episkeptomai, old verb to go to see for oneself, with his own eyes, to help if possible. Used of God visiting his people (#Lu 7:16). Our "visit" is from Latin _video_, to see, _visito_, to go to see. During the Welsh mining troubles the Prince of Wales made a sympathetic visit to see for himself the actual condition of the coal miners. Moses desired to know first hand how his kinsmen were faring.
