Acts 13:18 Meaning and Explanation
“And about the time of forty years suffered he their manners in the wilderness.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Paul notes that God patiently bore with Israel for about forty years in the wilderness.
What Does Acts 13:18 Mean?
Paul continues the account, observing that for about forty years God bore with the conduct of His people in the wilderness. In a single line he gathers a long and often faithless chapter of Israel's journey, the years of wandering between Egypt and the promised land.
The mention is brief but tender: God endured His people's waywardness with patience. He did not abandon them despite their grumbling and rebellion. This long-suffering is itself a form of grace, a steady mercy that holds on when His children falter. The same patient God still bears with His people, leading them through their own wildernesses toward the rest He has promised.
Acts 13:18 in the Original Language
tropophoreo (τροποφορέω), 'suffered their manners' -- to bear patiently with someone's ways or conduct.
Frequently Asked Questions About Acts 13:18
What does Acts 13:18 mean?
Paul notes that God patiently bore with Israel for about forty years in the wilderness.