Acts 7:48

48 “However, the Most High does not live in houses made by human hands. As the prophet says:

Acts 7:48 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
48 Howbeit the most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands; as saith the prophet,
English Standard Version (ESV)
48 Yet the Most High does not dwell in houses made by hands, as the prophet says,
New Living Translation (NLT)
48 However, the Most High doesn’t live in temples made by human hands. As the prophet says,
The Message Bible (MSG)
48 "Yet that doesn't mean that Most High God lives in a building made by carpenters and masons. The prophet Isaiah put it well when he wrote,
American Standard Version (ASV)
48 Howbeit the Most High dwelleth not in [houses] made with hands; as saith the prophet,
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
48 "However, the Most High doesn't live in a house built by humans, as the prophet says:
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
48 However, the Most High does not dwell in sanctuaries made with hands, as the prophet says:
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
48 "But the Most High God does not live in houses made by human hands. As God says through the prophet,

Acts 7:48 Meaning and Commentary

Acts 7:48

Howbeit the most High dwelleth not in temples made with
hands
Such an one as Solomon's was; he did indeed dwell in his temple, but he was not confined to it, nor included in it, or circumscribed by it; and so much Solomon himself suggests, when he expresses his wonder at his dwelling on earth, seeing the heaven of heavens could not contain him, and still less the house which he had built, ( 1 Kings 8:27 ) , (Nwyle) , "the most High", is one of the names of God, ( Genesis 14:18 Genesis 14:19 Genesis 14:22 ) the Apostle Paul says the same of God as Stephen does here; ( Acts 17:24 ) "as saith the prophet"; the prophet Isaiah, ( Isaiah 66:1 Isaiah 66:2 ) .

Acts 7:48 In-Context

46 who enjoyed God’s favor and asked that he might provide a dwelling place for the God of Jacob.
47 But it was Solomon who built a house for him.
48 “However, the Most High does not live in houses made by human hands. As the prophet says:
49 “ ‘Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. What kind of house will you build for me? says the Lord. Or where will my resting place be?
50 Has not my hand made all these things?’

Cross References 2

  • 1. S Mark 5:7
  • 2. 1 Kings 8:27; 2 Chronicles 2:6
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