Lectionary Calendar
Friday, August 15th, 2025
the Week of Proper 14 / Ordinary 19
Attention!
Take your personal ministry to the Next Level by helping StudyLight build churches and supporting pastors in Uganda.
Click here to join the effort!

Read the Bible

Easy-to-Read Version

Acts 26:7

This is the promise that all the twelve tribes of our people hope to receive. For this hope the Jews serve God day and night. My king, the Jews have accused me because I hope for this same promise.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Court;   Defense;   Hope;   Immortality;   Jesus, the Christ;   Resurrection;   Zeal, Religious;   Thompson Chain Reference - Hope;   Messianic Hope;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Hope;   Promises of God, the;  

Dictionaries:

- Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Hope;   Paul the Apostle;   Charles Buck Theological Dictionary - Ordination;   Easton Bible Dictionary - Agrippa Ii.;   Herod Arippa Ii.;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Anna;   Captivity;   Dispersion;   Hell;   Herod;   Judea;   Resurrection;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Acts;   Future Hope;   Oration, Orator;   Paul;   Preaching in the Bible;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Caesarea;   Damascus;   Nero;   Resurrection;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Assembly;   Damascus, Damascenes;   Eschatology;   Herod;   Numbers;   Paul;   Pre-Eminence ;   Service;   Tribes ;   Morrish Bible Dictionary - Herod, Family of;   Instant, Instantly;   Israel ;   Tribes, the Twelve;   13 To Worship, Serve;   People's Dictionary of the Bible - Festus;   Obsolete or obscure words in the english av bible;   Smith Bible Dictionary - Captivities of the Jews;   Instant, Instantly,;  

Encyclopedias:

- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Hope;   Instant;   Tribe;  

Devotionals:

- Every Day Light - Devotion for December 15;  

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
the promise our twelve tribes hope to reach as they earnestly serve him night and day. King Agrippa, I am being accused by the Jews because of this hope.
King James Version (1611)
Vnto which promise our twelue tribes instantly seruing God day and night, hope to come: For which hopes sake, King Agrippa, I am accused of the Iewes.
King James Version
Unto which promise our twelve tribes, instantly serving God day and night, hope to come. For which hope's sake, king Agrippa, I am accused of the Jews.
English Standard Version
to which our twelve tribes hope to attain, as they earnestly worship night and day. And for this hope I am accused by Jews, O king!
New American Standard Bible
the promise to which our twelve tribes hope to attain, as they earnestly serve God night and day. For this hope, O king, I am being accused by Jews.
New Century Version
This is the promise that the twelve tribes of our people hope to receive as they serve God day and night. My king, they have accused me because I hope for this same promise!
Amplified Bible
"Which hope [of the Messiah and the resurrection] our twelve tribes [confidently] expect to realize as they serve and worship God in earnest night and day. And for this hope, O King, I am being accused by Jews!
New American Standard Bible (1995)
the promise to which our twelve tribes hope to attain, as they earnestly serve God night and day. And for this hope, O King, I am being accused by Jews.
Legacy Standard Bible
the promise to which our twelve tribes hope to attain, as they earnestly serve God night and day. And for this hope, O King, I am being accused by Jews.
Berean Standard Bible
the promise our twelve tribes are hoping to realize as they earnestly serve God day and night. It is because of this hope, O king, that I am accused by the Jews.
Contemporary English Version
Day and night our twelve tribes have earnestly served God, waiting for his promised blessings. King Agrippa, because of this hope, the Jewish leaders have brought charges against me.
Complete Jewish Bible
It is the fulfillment of this very promise that our twelve tribes hope to attain, as they resolutely carry on their acts of worship night and day; yet it is in connection with this hope, your Majesty, that I am being accused by Jews!
Darby Translation
to which our whole twelve tribes serving incessantly day and night hope to arrive; about which hope, O king, I am accused of [the] Jews.
Geneva Bible (1587)
Whereunto our twelue tribes instantly seruing God day and night, hope to come: for the which hopes sake, O King Agrippa, I am accused of the Iewes.
George Lamsa Translation
It is to the fulfillment of this hope that our twelve tribes expect to come, by means of earnest prayers day and night. And for this very hope''s sake, I am accused by the Jews, O King A-grip''pa.
Good News Translation
the very thing that the twelve tribes of our people hope to receive, as they worship God day and night. And it is because of this hope, Your Majesty, that I am being accused by these Jews!
Lexham English Bible
to which our twelve tribes hope to attain as they earnestly serve him night and day. Concerning this hope I am being accused by the Jews, O king!
Literal Translation
to which our twelve tribes hope to arrive, worshiping in earnestness night and day, concerning which hope I am accused by the Jews, king Agrippa.
American Standard Version
unto which promise our twelve tribes, earnestly serving God night and day, hope to attain. And concerning this hope I am accused by the Jews, O king!
Bible in Basic English
For the effecting of which our twelve tribes have been working and waiting night and day with all their hearts. And in connection with this hope I am attacked by the Jews, O king!
Hebrew Names Version
which our twelve tribes, earnestly serving night and day, hope to attain. Concerning this hope I am accused by the Yehudim, King Agrippa!
International Standard Version
Our twelve tribes, worshiping day and night with intense devotion, hope to attain it. It is for this hope, O King, that I am accused by the Jews.Luke 2:37; Philippians 3:11; 1 Thessalonians 3:10; 1 Timothy 5:5; James 1:1;">[xr]
Etheridge Translation
And for this hope (to which) our twelve tribes, with diligent prayers by day and night, are expecting to come, for this very hope am I accused by the Jihudoyee, king Agripos!
Murdock Translation
To this hope, our twelve tribes hope to come, with earnest prayers by day and by night: and for this same hope, king Agrippa, I am accused by the Jews.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
Unto which promise, our twelue tribes instantly seruyng God day & nyght, hope to come. For which hopes sake, kyng Agrippa, I am accused of the Iewes.
English Revised Version
unto which promise our twelve tribes, earnestly serving God night and day, hope to attain. And concerning this hope I am accused by the Jews, O king!
World English Bible
which our twelve tribes, earnestly serving night and day, hope to attain. Concerning this hope I am accused by the Jews, King Agrippa!
Wesley's New Testament (1755)
To which our twelve tribes, worshiping continually night and day, hope to attain: concerning which hope, King Agrippa, I am accused by the Jews.
Weymouth's New Testament
the promise which our twelve tribes, worshipping day and night with intense devotedness, hope to have made good to them. It is on the subject of this hope, Sir, that I am accused by the Jews.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
in which hope oure twelue lynagis seruynge niyt and dai hopen to come; of which hope, sir king, Y am accusid of the Jewis.
Update Bible Version
to which [promise] our twelve tribes, earnestly serving [God] night and day, hope to attain. And concerning this hope I am accused by the Jews, O king!
Webster's Bible Translation
To which [promise] our twelve tribes, assiduously serving [God] day and night, hope to come. For which hope's sake, king Agrippa, I am accused by the Jews.
New English Translation
a promise that our twelve tribes hope to attain as they earnestly serve God night and day. Concerning this hope the Jews are accusing me, Your Majesty!
New King James Version
To this promise our twelve tribes, earnestly serving God night and day, hope to attain. For this hope's sake, King Agrippa, I am accused by the Jews.
New Living Translation
In fact, that is why the twelve tribes of Israel zealously worship God night and day, and they share the same hope I have. Yet, Your Majesty, they accuse me for having this hope!
New Life Bible
This promise is what our twelve family groups of the Jewish nation hope to see happen. They worship God day and night. King Agrippa, it is because of this hope that they are saying things against me.
New Revised Standard
a promise that our twelve tribes hope to attain, as they earnestly worship day and night. It is for this hope, your Excellency, that I am accused by Jews!
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
unto which hope , our twelve-tribed nation, with intensity, night and day, rendering divine service, is hoping to attain - concerning which hope, I am being accused by Jews, O King!
Douay-Rheims Bible
Unto which, our twelve tribes, serving night and day, hope to come. For which hope, O king, I am accused by the Jews.
Revised Standard Version
to which our twelve tribes hope to attain, as they earnestly worship night and day. And for this hope I am accused by Jews, O king!
Tyndale New Testament (1525)
vnto which promes oure .xii. tribes instantly servynge God daye and nyght hope to come. For which hopes sake kynge Agrippa am I accused of the Iewes.
Young's Literal Translation
to which our twelve tribes, intently night and day serving, do hope to come, concerning which hope I am accused, king Agrippa, by the Jews;
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
vnto the which (promes) oure twolue trybes hope to come, seruynge God instatly daye and nighte. For the which hopes sake (O kynge Agrippa) I am accused of the Iewes.
Mace New Testament (1729)
which our twelve tribes by their continual services, night and day, hope themselves to obtain: yet for that hope, king Agrippa, do the Jews now accuse me.
Simplified Cowboy Version
It's why all of us worship God day and night. We all have the same hope in God. And this hope is why I am on trial. Nothing else.

Contextual Overview

1 Agrippa said to Paul, "You may now speak to defend yourself." Paul raised his hand to get their attention and began to speak. 2 He said, "King Agrippa, I feel fortunate that I can stand here before you today and answer all the charges these Jews have made against me. 3 I am very happy to talk to you, because you know so much about all the Jewish customs and the things the Jews argue about. Please listen to me patiently. 4 "All the Jews know about my whole life. They know the way I lived from the beginning in my own country and later in Jerusalem. 5 These Jews have known me for a long time. If they want to, they can tell you that I was a good Pharisee. And the Pharisees obey the laws of the Jewish religion more carefully than any other group. 6 Now I am on trial because I hope for the promise that God made to our fathers. 7 This is the promise that all the twelve tribes of our people hope to receive. For this hope the Jews serve God day and night. My king, the Jews have accused me because I hope for this same promise. 8 Why do you people think it is impossible for God to raise people from death? 9 "I used to think that I should do everything I could against Jesus from Nazareth. 10 And that's what I did, beginning in Jerusalem. The leading priests gave me the authority to put many of God's people in jail. And when they were being killed, I agreed that it was a good thing.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

our: Ezra 6:17, Ezra 8:35, Matthew 19:28, Luke 22:30, James 1:1, Revelation 7:4-8

instantly: Acts 20:31, Psalms 134:1, Psalms 134:2, Psalms 135:2, Luke 2:36, Luke 2:37, 1 Thessalonians 3:10, 1 Timothy 5:5

day and night: Gr. night and day

hope: Luke 2:25, Luke 2:38, Luke 7:19, Luke 7:20, Philippians 3:11

For: Acts 26:6

Reciprocal: Genesis 49:28 - every one Exodus 29:39 - in the morning Leviticus 24:5 - General Acts 24:15 - have Acts 28:20 - for the Colossians 1:5 - the hope Revelation 21:12 - and names

Cross-References

Genesis 12:13
So tell them that you are my sister. Then they will be good to me because of you. In this way you will save my life."
Genesis 20:2
Abraham told people that Sarah was his sister. King Abimelech of Gerar heard this. Abimelech wanted Sarah, so he sent some servants to take her.
Genesis 20:5
Abraham himself told me, ‘This woman is my sister,' and she also said, ‘This man is my brother.' I am innocent. I did not know what I was doing."
Genesis 24:16
She was very pretty. She was a virgin; no man had ever had sexual relations with her. She went down to the well and filled her jar.
Genesis 26:12
Isaac planted fields in that place, and that year he gathered a great harvest. The Lord blessed him very much.
Genesis 26:13
Isaac became rich. He gathered more and more wealth until he became a very rich man.
Proverbs 29:25
Fear can be a trap, but if you trust in the Lord , you will be safe.
Matthew 10:28
"Don't be afraid of people. They can kill the body, but they cannot kill the soul. The only one you should fear is God, the one who can send the body and the soul to be destroyed in hell.
Ephesians 5:25
Husbands, love your wives the same as Christ loved the church and gave his life for it.
Colossians 3:9
Don't lie to each other. You have taken off those old clothes—the person you once were and the bad things you did then.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Unto which promise,.... Of the Messiah, and salvation by him; and of the resurrection of the dead and eternal glory, as following upon it:

our twelve tribes, instantly serving God day and night hope to come; and enjoy the Messiah, and all blessings along with him; and the happy state of the resurrection and eternal life: the people of Israel were distinguished into twelve tribes, according to the names of the twelve patriarchs, the sons of Jacob; and though ten of the tribes had been carried captive, and had not returned as tribes, yet there were many of the several tribes, who either were left in the land, or returned along with the two tribes, and were mixed with them: and this way of speaking here used by Paul, and also by James, James 1:1 is justified by Jewish writers: the Misnic doctors say c,

"the twelve tribes bring twelve heifers, and for idolatry they bring twelve heifers and twelve goats:''

compare with this Ezra 6:17, yea, they say d

""twelve tribes" are called, קהל, "a congregation", eleven tribes are not called a congregation.''

This suggests a reason of the apostle's use of this phrase, for he here represents the Israelites as a worshipping assembly, serving God continually, night and day, as they were by their representatives, the priests and stationary men in the temple; and that with intenseness, ardour, and fervency, as the word rendered "instantly" signifies being in a longing and earnest expectation of the coming of the Messiah, and of his world to come, and of the resurrection of the dead, and a future state of happiness.

For which hope's sake, King Agrippa, I am accused of the Jews: for preaching that the Messiah, the twelve tribes hope for, is already come and that there is salvation in him, and in no other, and that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both just and unjust; and that there is another world and state after this, in which men will be happy and miserable; and these were the charges and accusations, or the sum of what were exhibited against him.

c Misn. Horayot, c. 1. sect. 5. d T. Bab. Horayot, fol. 5. 2.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Unto which promise - To the fulfillment of which promise they hope to come; that is, they hope and believe that the promise will be fulfilled, and that they will partake of its benefits.

Our twelve tribes - This was the name by which the Jews were designated. The ancient Jewish nation had hoped to come to that promise; it had been the hope and expectation of the nation. Long before the coming of the Messiah, ten of the twelve tribes had been carried captive to Assyria, and had not returned, leaving but the two tribes of Benjamin and Judah. But the name, “the twelve tribes,” as used to designate the Jewish people, would be still retained. Compare James 1:1. Paul here says that the hope referred to had been that of the Jewish nation. Except the comparatively small portion of the nation, the Sadducees, the great mass of the nation had held to the doctrine of a future state. This Agrippa would know well.

Instantly - Constantly; with intensity ἐν en ἐκτένεια ekteneia; with zeal. This was true, for, amidst all the sins of the nation, they observed with punctuality and zeal the outward forms of the worship of God.

Serving God - In the ordinances and observances of the temple. As a nation they did not serve him in their hearts, but they kept up the outward forms of religious worship.

Day and night - With unwearied zeal; with constancy and ardor, Luke 2:37. The ordinary Jewish services and sacrifices were in the morning and evening, and might be said to be performed day and night. Some of their services, as the Paschal supper, were prolonged usually until late at night. The main idea is, that they kept up the worship of God with constant and untiring zeal and devotion.

For which hope’s sake - On account of my cherishing this hope in common with the great mass of my countrymen. See Acts 23:6. If Paul could convince Agrippa that the main point of his offence was what had been the common belief of his countrymen, it would show to his satisfaction that he was innocent. And on this ground he put his defense - that he held only what the mass of the nation had believed, and that he maintained this in the only consistent and defensible manner that God had, in fact, raised up the Messiah, and had thus given assurance that the dead would rise.


 
adsfree-icon
Ads FreeProfile