Acts 7:49
New International Version
“’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?

New Living Translation
‘Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. Could you build me a temple as good as that?’ asks the LORD. ‘Could you build me such a resting place?

English Standard Version
“‘Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. What kind of house will you build for me, says the Lord, or what is the place of my rest?

Berean Standard Bible
‘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 place of repose be?

Berean Literal Bible
Heaven is My throne, and the earth a footstool of My feet. What kind of house will you build Me, says the Lord, or what is the place of My rest?

King James Bible
Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool: what house will ye build me? saith the Lord: or what is the place of my rest?

New King James Version
‘Heaven is My throne, And earth is My footstool. What house will you build for Me? says the LORD, Or what is the place of My rest?

New American Standard Bible
‘HEAVEN IS MY THRONE, AND THE EARTH IS THE FOOTSTOOL OF MY FEET; WHAT KIND OF HOUSE WILL YOU BUILD FOR ME?’ says the Lord, ‘OR WHAT PLACE IS THERE FOR MY REST?

NASB 1995
‘HEAVEN IS MY THRONE, AND EARTH IS THE FOOTSTOOL OF MY FEET; WHAT KIND OF HOUSE WILL YOU BUILD FOR ME?’ says the Lord, ‘OR WHAT PLACE IS THERE FOR MY REPOSE?

NASB 1977
‘HEAVEN IS MY THRONE, AND EARTH IS THE FOOTSTOOL OF MY FEET; WHAT KIND OF HOUSE WILL YOU BUILD FOR ME?’ says the Lord; ‘OR WHAT PLACE IS THERE FOR MY REPOSE?

Legacy Standard Bible
‘HEAVEN IS MY THRONE, AND EARTH IS THE FOOTSTOOL OF MY FEET. WHAT KIND OF HOUSE WILL YOU BUILD FOR ME?’ says the Lord, ‘OR WHAT PLACE IS THERE FOR MY REST?

Amplified Bible
‘HEAVEN IS MY THRONE, AND THE EARTH IS THE FOOTSTOOL FOR MY FEET; WHAT KIND OF HOUSE WILL YOU BUILD FOR ME?’ says the Lord, ‘OR WHAT PLACE IS THERE FOR MY REST?

Christian Standard Bible
Heaven is my throne, and the earth my footstool. What sort of house will you build for me? says the Lord, or what will be my resting place?

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Heaven is My throne, and earth My footstool. What sort of house will you build for Me? says the Lord, or what is My resting place?

American Standard Version
The heaven is my throne, And the earth the footstool of my feet: What manner of house will ye build me? saith the Lord: Or what is the place of my rest?

Contemporary English Version
"Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. What kind of house will you build for me? In what place will I rest?

English Revised Version
The heaven is my throne, And the earth the footstool of my feet: What manner of house will ye build me? saith the Lord: Or what is the place of my rest?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
'The Lord says, "Heaven is my throne. The earth is my footstool. What kind of house are you going to build for me? Where will I rest?

Good News Translation
'Heaven is my throne, says the Lord, and the earth is my footstool. What kind of house would you build for me? Where is the place for me to live in?

International Standard Version
"'Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. What kind of house can you build for me,' declares the Lord, "or what place is there in which I can rest?

Majority Standard Bible
?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 place of repose be?

NET Bible
Heaven is my throne, and earth is the footstool for my feet. What kind of house will you build for me, says the Lord, or what is my resting place?

New Heart English Bible
Heaven is my throne, and the earth a footstool for my feet. What kind of house will you build me?' says the Lord; 'or what is the place of my rest?

Webster's Bible Translation
Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool: What house will ye build for me? saith the Lord: or what is the place of my rest?

Weymouth New Testament
"'The sky is My throne, and earth is the footstool for My feet. What kind of house will you build for Me, says the Lord, or what resting place shall I have?

World English Bible
‘heaven is my throne, and the earth a footstool for my feet. What kind of house will you build me?’ says the Lord. ‘Or what is the place of my rest?
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Heaven [is] My throne, "" And the earth My footstool, "" What house will you build to Me? Says the LORD; Or what [is] the place of My rest?

Berean Literal Bible
Heaven is My throne, and the earth a footstool of My feet. What kind of house will you build Me, says the Lord, or what is the place of My rest?

Young's Literal Translation
The heaven is My throne, and the earth My footstool; what house will ye build to Me? saith the Lord, or what is the place of My rest?

Smith's Literal Translation
Heaven a throne to me, and earth the footstool of my feet: what house will ye build to me? says the Lord: or what the place of my rest?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Heaven is my throne, and the earth my footstool. What house will you build me? saith the Lord; or what is the place of my resting?

Catholic Public Domain Version
‘Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. What kind of house would you build for me? says the Lord. And which is my resting place?

New American Bible
‘The heavens are my throne, the earth is my footstool. What kind of house can you build for me? says the Lord, or what is to be my resting place?

New Revised Standard Version
‘Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. What kind of house will you build for me, says the Lord, or what is the place of my rest?
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Heaven is my throne, and earth is the footstool under my feet. What kind of house will you build me? says the LORD, or Where is the place of my rest?

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
'Heaven is my throne and The Earth is the stool which is under my feet. Where is the house that you will build for me?, says THE LORD JEHOVAH, or where is the place of my rest?'
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. What house will you build me? says the Lord; or what is the place of my rest?

Godbey New Testament
Heaven is my throne, and earth the footstool of my feet: What house will you build for me? says the Lord; Or what shall be the place of my rest?

Haweis New Testament
?Heaven is my throne, and earth the footstool for my feet: what kind of house will ye build me? saith the Lord: or what place is there for my repose?

Mace New Testament
and earth is my footstool: what house will ye build me? saith the Lord: or what is the place of my rest?

Weymouth New Testament
"'The sky is My throne, and earth is the footstool for My feet. What kind of house will you build for Me, says the Lord, or what resting place shall I have?

Worrell New Testament
'Heaven is My throne; and the earth is the footstool of My feet: what manner of house will ye build me? saith the Lord, Or what is the place of My rest?

Worsley New Testament
"Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool; what house will ye build for me, saith the Lord, or what is the place of my rest?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Stephen's Address to the Sanhedrin
48However, the Most High does not dwell 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 place of repose be? 50Has not My hand made all these things?’…

Cross References
Isaiah 66:1
This is what the LORD says: “Heaven is My throne, and earth is My footstool. What kind of house will you build for Me? Or where will My place of repose be?

Matthew 5:34-35
But I tell you not to swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; / or by the earth, for it is His footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King.

1 Kings 8:27
But will God indeed dwell upon the earth? The heavens, even the highest heavens, cannot contain You, much less this temple I have built.

2 Chronicles 6:18
But will God indeed dwell with man upon the earth? The heavens, even the highest heavens, cannot contain You, much less this temple I have built.

Psalm 11:4
The LORD is in His holy temple; the LORD is on His heavenly throne. His eyes are watching closely; they examine the sons of men.

Psalm 103:19
The LORD has established His throne in heaven, and His kingdom rules over all.

Psalm 132:7
Let us go to His dwelling place; let us worship at His footstool.

Isaiah 57:15
For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in a high and holy place, and with the oppressed and humble in spirit, to restore the spirit of the lowly and revive the heart of the contrite.

Jeremiah 23:24
“Can a man hide in secret places where I cannot see him?” declares the LORD. “Do I not fill the heavens and the earth?” declares the LORD.

John 4:21-24
“Believe Me, woman,” Jesus replied, “a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. / You worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. / But a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth, for the Father is seeking such as these to worship Him. ...

John 14:2
In My Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?

Acts 17:24
The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples made by human hands.

Hebrews 9:24
For Christ did not enter a man-made copy of the true sanctuary, but He entered heaven itself, now to appear on our behalf in the presence of God.

Revelation 21:22
But I saw no temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.

Exodus 20:11
For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth and the sea and all that is in them, but on the seventh day He rested. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and set it apart as holy.


Treasury of Scripture

Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool: what house will you build me? said the Lord: or what is the place of my rest?

Heaven.

1 Kings 22:19
And he said, Hear thou therefore the word of the LORD: I saw the LORD sitting on his throne, and all the host of heaven standing by him on his right hand and on his left.

Psalm 11:4
The LORD is in his holy temple, the LORD'S throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men.

Jeremiah 23:24
Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the LORD. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the LORD.

what house.

Jeremiah 7:4-11
Trust ye not in lying words, saying, The temple of the LORD, The temple of the LORD, The temple of the LORD, are these…

Malachi 1:11
For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering: for my name shall be great among the heathen, saith the LORD of hosts.

Matthew 24:2
And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.

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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.














Heaven is My throne
This phrase emphasizes God's sovereignty and majesty, indicating that He reigns supreme over all creation. The imagery of a throne in heaven is consistent with other biblical passages, such as Isaiah 66:1, from which this quote is derived, and Psalm 11:4, which speaks of the Lord's throne being in heaven. It underscores the transcendence of God, who is not confined to earthly limitations. The throne symbolizes authority and kingship, reminding believers of God's ultimate rule over the universe.

and the earth is My footstool.
The earth as God's footstool conveys His dominion over the world. This imagery suggests that while God is exalted and sovereign, He is also intimately involved with His creation. The footstool metaphor is used in other scriptures, such as Psalm 110:1, where it is prophesied that the enemies of the Messiah will be made a footstool for His feet. This reflects the idea of subjugation and control, indicating that all things are under God's authority.

What kind of house will you build for Me, says the Lord,
This rhetorical question challenges human attempts to contain or limit God within physical structures. It echoes Solomon's acknowledgment in 1 Kings 8:27 that even the heavens cannot contain God, much less a temple built by human hands. The question highlights the futility of trying to confine the divine presence to a specific location, emphasizing that God cannot be limited by human constructs or understanding.

or where will My place of repose be?
The concept of a "place of repose" suggests a resting place or dwelling. In the context of the temple, it refers to the idea of God dwelling among His people. However, this phrase points to the inadequacy of any earthly structure to serve as a true resting place for God. It foreshadows the New Testament revelation that God's true dwelling is not in temples made by hands but within the hearts of believers, as seen in 1 Corinthians 3:16, where believers are described as the temple of God. This shift from a physical to a spiritual dwelling aligns with the coming of Jesus Christ, who embodies the presence of God among humanity.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Stephen
The speaker of this verse, Stephen is one of the first deacons of the early church and the first Christian martyr. He is addressing the Sanhedrin, recounting Israel's history and emphasizing God's transcendence.

2. Sanhedrin
The Jewish council before whom Stephen is speaking. They are the religious leaders of Israel, responsible for maintaining Jewish law and tradition.

3. Heaven and Earth
These are not just physical locations but represent the vastness of God's dominion and His omnipresence.

4. The Lord
The speaker of the original quote, God Himself, emphasizing His sovereignty and the futility of confining Him to man-made structures.

5. Isaiah 66:1
The Old Testament scripture from which Stephen quotes, highlighting the continuity of God's message through the prophets.
Teaching Points
God's Transcendence
God is not confined to physical spaces or human constructs. His presence fills heaven and earth, reminding us of His omnipresence and sovereignty.

True Worship
Worship is not about the physical location or the grandeur of a building but about the heart's posture towards God. We are called to worship in spirit and truth.

Human Limitations
Our efforts to contain or define God through structures or rituals are limited. We must recognize our dependence on His grace and revelation.

The Role of the Church
The church is not a building but a community of believers. Our focus should be on being the body of Christ, living out His teachings in the world.

God's Invitation
God invites us to find our rest in Him, not in the works of our hands. Our ultimate repose is in His presence, not in earthly achievements.Verse 49. - The heaven for heaven, A.V.; the earth the footstool of my feet for earth is my footstool, A.V.; what manner of house for what house, A.V.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
‘Heaven [is]
οὐρανός (ouranos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3772: Perhaps from the same as oros; the sky; by extension, heaven; by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the Gospel.

My
μοι (moi)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

throne
θρόνος (thronos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2362: From thrao; a stately seat; by implication, power or a potentate.

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

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

earth
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.

[is] My
ποδῶν (podōn)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 4228: The foot. A primary word; a 'foot'.

footstool.
ὑποπόδιον (hypopodion)
Noun - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 5286: A footstool. Neuter of a compound of hupo and pous; something under the feet, i.e. A foot-rest.

What kind of
ποῖον (poion)
Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4169: Of what sort. From the base of pou and hoios; individualizing interrogative what sort of, or which one.

house
οἶκον (oikon)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3624: A dwelling; by implication, a family.

will you build
οἰκοδομήσετέ (oikodomēsete)
Verb - Future Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 3618: From the same as oikodome; to be a house-builder, i.e. Construct or confirm.

for Me,
μοι (moi)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

says
λέγει (legei)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 3004: (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command.

[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.

or
(ē)
Conjunction
Strong's 2228: Or, than. A primary particle of distinction between two connected terms; disjunctive, or; comparative, than.

where [will]
τίς (tis)
Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5101: Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.

My
μου (mou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

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.

of repose [be]?
καταπαύσεώς (katapauseōs)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 2663: From katapauo; reposing down, i.e. abode.


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NT Apostles: Acts 7:49 Heaven is my throne and the earth (Acts of the Apostles Ac)
Acts 7:48
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