Acts 7:48

Acts 7:48 Meaning and Explanation

Howbeit the most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands; as saith the prophet,

King James Version (KJV)

Read this verse in context with translation switching:

Read Full Chapter →

Yet the Most High does not dwell in temples made with hands, as the prophet says.

What Does Acts 7:48 Mean?

Stephen now answers the charge against him directly. Solomon himself confessed it at the dedication: the heaven of heavens cannot contain thee, how much less this house (1 Kings 8:27). Isaiah, whom Stephen is about to quote, said the same.

The point is not that the house of God was worthless, but that God was never confined to it or to anything human hands can build. He cannot be boxed, owned, or kept. The danger facing the council is the danger of every age: defending the house while resisting the One the house was for.

Acts 7:48 in the Original Language

cheiropoietos (χειροποίητος), 'made with hands' -- handmade; a word the Greek Old Testament often uses of idols.

Frequently Asked Questions About Acts 7:48

What does Acts 7:48 mean?

Yet the Most High does not dwell in temples made with hands, as the prophet says.

Keep Studying Acts 7

Read the whole chapter in KJV, ASV, or WEB, or go deeper with the chapter study guide and key themes.