Definition: The God of this people of Israel chose our fathers, and exalted the people when they dwelt as strangers in the land of Egypt, and with an high arm brought he them out of it.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this Bible verse together. It's a really important part of understanding how God works in history! Here’s what it means in simple terms: The Core Idea: This verse describes God's plan to free the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. Let’s unpack it word by word: “Acts 13:17” : This tells us where this story happened – in the book of Acts, which is a collection of writings about early Christians and their experiences. “The God of this people of Israel” : This refers to God’s powerful name – Hebrew names for God that were used by the Israelites. It means God was the one who created them and guided them. “chose our fathers” : This is a really significant part. "Fathers" here means the ancestors of the people we are talking about - the Israelites, as they were originally a group of people living in Canaan (the land now known as Israel). God chose these people to be free. “exalted the people when they dwelt as strangers in the land of Egypt” : This is where it gets really interesting. When the Israelites were living as strangers in Egypt – meaning they were oppressed and couldn’t return home easily – God raised them up! This wasn't just about giving them a temporary reprieve; it was about setting them on a path to freedom. “with an high arm brought he them out of it” : This is the most dramatic part. “High arm” means God used his power and strength to lead them out of Egypt. It’s like saying he took them out of a difficult situation using his might. So, putting it all together: God chose the Israelites as his people, gave them a good life, and then, with incredible power, led them out of slavery in Egypt. It was a plan to show His love and justice for those He had chosen. It's a story about God’s faithfulness and a powerful example of how He can work through history to free people from oppression. Why is this important? This event is often seen as the beginning of Israel’s long journey into the Promised Land, where they would eventually become a nation blessed by God. It's a foundational story in Jewish and Christian traditions! --- Do you want me to: Explain any part of this verse in more detail? Connect it to a specific event in Bible history (like the Exodus)? Talk about the symbolism behind this passage?