· Translation: KJV

Acts 7:43You took up the tabernacle of Moloch, the star of your god Rephan, the figures which you made to worship. I will carry you away beyond Babylon.'

The setting

Jerusalem, ~34 AD. Stephen's voice rises as he quotes the prophet Amos, showing Israel's ancient pattern of idolatry...

The emotion here: righteous anger mixed with heartbreak

The original word

skēnē (σκηνὴν) — tent, temporary dwelling for false worship

Why it matters

Moloch required child sacrifice, Rephan was likely the planet Saturn

Read with care

What most readers miss in Acts 7:43

The irony—they're about to kill Stephen for the same rebellious spirit their ancestors had

Common misconceptionMany think idolatry is just about statues. Stephen shows it's about anything we carry with us that replaces God—even good things.

Bible Genome reading

Acts 7:43 — Bible Genome reading

SpeakerStephen
Eraearly_church
Primary emotionangry
Literary typenarrative
MarkProphecy

Emotional genome

Comfort power5%
Quotability50%
Memorability60%
Crisis relevance80%
Standalone60%
Themes:idolatryexile

In context

No verse stands alone.

Read the conversation around it.

Open Acts 7

Acts 7:43 comes from the book of Acts, written during the early_church period. These words are attributed to Stephen. The dominant emotion in this verse is angry, with a comfort power of 5% and a tone that is prophetic. It belongs to the narrative genre of biblical literature. Key themes include idolatry, exile. Notable phrases: tabernacle of Moloch; carry you away beyond Babylon. This verse contains prophecy.

Your reflection

What does Acts 7:43 mean to you, today?

A short note. A question. A prayer. Saved privately to your Soul Garden, dated, and tied to this verse forever.

Speak your heart →

Get 3 verses for "angry"

Delivered to your inbox right now. Free.