The Meaning of Acts 15:16 Explained

Acts 15:16

KJV: After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up:

YLT: After these things I will turn back, and I will build again the tabernacle of David, that is fallen down, and its ruins I will build again, and will set it upright --

Darby: After these things I will return, and will rebuild the tabernacle of David which is fallen, and will rebuild its ruins, and will set it up,

ASV: After these things I will return, And I will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen; And I will build again the ruins thereof, And I will set it up:

KJV Reverse Interlinear

After  this  I will return,  and  will build again  the tabernacle  of David,  which  is fallen down;  and  I will build again  the ruins  thereof,  and  I will set  it  up: 

What does Acts 15:16 Mean?

Study Notes

tabernacle of David
Kingdom (N.T.) vs. Acts 15:14-17 ; Revelation 3:21 ; Luke 1:31-33 ; 1 Corinthians 15:34 .

Context Summary

Acts 15:12-21 - A Generous Conclusion
When their turn came to speak, Paul and Barnabas contented themselves with emphasizing the signs and wonders by which God had set His seal on their words and methods. Would He have done so if they had followed a wrong course? Notice the two prepositions that they used in describing their work. They first told of what God had done in co-operation with them and then of what He had done through or by them, Acts 14:27; Acts 15:4; Acts 15:12. Consider also that remarkable phrase about God bearing witness, Acts 15:8. See also Acts 14:3 and Hebrews 2:1-4.
James had a prominent position in the Jerusalem church, because he was the Lord's brother and a man of remarkable holiness and prayerfulness. He laid emphasis on the divine program, which moved forward from Jew to Gentile, from the rebuilding of the ruined Tabernacle of David to the seeking of the Lord by the residue of men. The implication was that though Jehovah dwelt in a special manner with His Chosen People, yet the Gentiles would come seeking Him directly and without becoming incorporated with the Jews. [source]

Chapter Summary: Acts 15

1  Great dissensions arise regarding circumcision
5  The apostles consult about it,
22  and send their determination by letters to the churches
36  Paul and Barnabas, thinking to visit the brothers together,
39  disagree, and travel different ways

Greek Commentary for Acts 15:16

I will build again [ανοικοδομησω]
Here lxx has αναστησω — anastēsō Compound (ανα — ana up or again) of οικοδομεω — oikodomeō the verb used by Jesus in Matthew 16:18 of the general church or kingdom as here which see. [source]
The tabernacle of David [την σκηνην Δαυειδ]
Literally, “the ruined portions of it.” Perfect passive participle of καταστρεπω — katastrephō to turn down. It is a desolate picture of the fallen, torn down tent of David. I will let it up Old verb from ανορτοω — anorthoō (ανα ορτος — anaorthos), to set upright. See note on Luke 13:13 of the old woman whose crooked back was set straight. [source]
The ruins thereof [τα κατεστραμμενα αυτης]
Literally, “the ruined portions of it.” Perfect passive participle of καταστρεπω — katastrephō to turn down. It is a desolate picture of the fallen, torn down tent of David. [source]
I will let it up [ανορτωσω]
Old verb from ανορτοω — anorthoō (ανα ορτος — anaorthos), to set upright. See note on Luke 13:13 of the old woman whose crooked back was set straight. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Acts 15:16

Luke 13:13 She was made straight [ἀνορθώθη]
The verb occurs, Acts 15:16, of setting up the tabernacle of David, and Hebrews 12:12, of lifting up the hands which hang down. [source]
Luke 13:13 She was made straight [ανωρτωτη]
First aorist (effective) passive indicative of ανορτοω — anorthoō old verb, but only three times in the N.T. (Luke 13:13; Hebrews 12:12; Acts 15:16), to make straight again. Here it has the literal sense of making straight the old woman‘s crooked back.She glorified God (εδοχαζεν τον τεον — edoxazen ton theon). Imperfect active. Began it (inchoative) and kept it up. [source]
Acts 15:15 To this agree [τουτωι συμπωνουσιν]
Associative instrumental case (τουτωι — toutōi) after συμπωνουσιν — sumphōnousin (voice together with, symphony with, harmonize with), from συμπωνεω — sumphōneō old verb seen already in Matthew 18:19; Luke 5:36; Acts 5:9 which see. James cites only Amos 9:11, Amos 9:12 from the lxx as an example of “the words of the prophets” (οι λογοι των προπητων — hoi logoi tōn prophētōn) to which he refers on this point. The somewhat free quotation runs here through Acts 15:16-18 of Acts 15 and is exceedingly pertinent. The Jewish rabbis often failed to understand the prophets as Jesus showed. The passage in Amos refers primarily to the restoration of the Davidic empire, but also the Messiah‘s Kingdom (the throne of David his father,” Luke 1:32). [source]
Acts 15:28 No greater burden [μηδεν πλεον βαρος]
The restrictions named did constitute some burden (cf. Matthew 20:12), for the old word βαρος — baros means weight or heaviness. Morality itself is a restraint upon one‘s impulses as is all law a prohibition against license. Than these necessary things (plēn toutōn tōn epanagkes). This old adverb (from epi and anagkē) means on compulsion, of necessity. Here only in the N.T. For discussion of these items see note on Acts 15:20, note on Acts 15:21. In comparison with the freedom won this “burden” is light and not to be regarded as a compromise in spite of the arguments of Lightfoot and Ramsay. It was such a concession as any converted Gentile would be glad to make even if “things strangled” be included. This “necessity” was not a matter of salvation but only for fellowship between Jews and Gentiles. The Judaizers made the law of Moses essential to salvation (Acts 15:16). [source]
Acts 15:28 Than these necessary things [plēn toutōn tōn epanagkes)]
This old adverb (from epi and anagkē) means on compulsion, of necessity. Here only in the N.T. For discussion of these items see note on Acts 15:20, note on Acts 15:21. In comparison with the freedom won this “burden” is light and not to be regarded as a compromise in spite of the arguments of Lightfoot and Ramsay. It was such a concession as any converted Gentile would be glad to make even if “things strangled” be included. This “necessity” was not a matter of salvation but only for fellowship between Jews and Gentiles. The Judaizers made the law of Moses essential to salvation (Acts 15:16). [source]
Romans 11:3 Digged down [κατέσκαψαν]
Sept., καθεῖλαν pulleddown. The verb occurs only here and Acts 15:16. Compare on Matthew 6:19. [source]
2 Timothy 2:14 Lit. to nothing useful . Ἑπ ' οὐδὲν , oP. He uses εἰς κενόν to no purpose . See 2 Corinthians 6:1 ; Galatians 2:2 ; Philemon 2:16 ; 1 Thessalonians 3:5 . Χρήσιμος usefulN.T.o To the subverting [ἐπὶ καταστροφῇ]
Ἑπὶ does not mean here to or for (purpose or object). but indicates the ground on which the unprofitableness of the wordy strife rests. Unprofitable because it works subversion of the hearers. Καταστροφή subversiontransliterated into catastrophe, only here and 2 Peter 2:6. In lxx of the destruction or overthrow of men or cities. Καταστρέφειν tooverturn, Matthew 21:12; Mark 11:15; Acts 15:16, cit. Paul uses καθαίρεσις pullingdown, 2 Corinthians 10:4, 2 Corinthians 10:8; 2 Corinthians 13:10 [source]
2 Timothy 2:14 To no profit [ἐπ ' οὐδὲν χρήσιμον]
Lit. to nothing useful. Ἑπ ' οὐδὲν , oP. He uses εἰς κενόν tono purpose. See 2 Corinthians 6:1; Galatians 2:2; Philemon 2:16; 1 Thessalonians 3:5. Χρήσιμος usefulN.T.oTo the subverting ( ἐπὶ καταστροφῇ ) Ἑπὶ does not mean here to or for (purpose or object). but indicates the ground on which the unprofitableness of the wordy strife rests. Unprofitable because it works subversion of the hearers. Καταστροφή subversiontransliterated into catastrophe, only here and 2 Peter 2:6. In lxx of the destruction or overthrow of men or cities. Καταστρέφειν tooverturn, Matthew 21:12; Mark 11:15; Acts 15:16, cit. Paul uses καθαίρεσις pullingdown, 2 Corinthians 10:4, 2 Corinthians 10:8; 2 Corinthians 13:10 [source]
Hebrews 12:12 Lift up [ἀνορθώσατε]
Found in Luke 13:13; Acts 15:16(citn). Occasionally in lxx. It signifies to set up, make, erect. In O.T. to establish, as a throne (2 Samuel 7:13, 2 Samuel 7:16); a house (2 Samuel 7:26; 1 Chronicles 17:24); to raise up one who is down (Psalm 145:9; Acts href="/desk/?q=ac+15:16&sr=1">Acts 15:16, to build anew. By medical writers, to straighten; to set dislocated parts of the body. See Luke 13:13. The translation here should be more general: not lift up, which is inappropriate to paralyzed knees, but set right; brace. As falling in with the thought of this passage, comp. the lxx of Psalm href="/desk/?q=ps+19:8&sr=1">Psalm 19:8. [source]
Hebrews 12:12 Wherefore [διο]
Because of the chastening. Lift up First aorist active imperative of ανορτοω — anorthoō old compound (from ανα ορτος — ana class="normal greek">παρειμενας — orthos) to make straight, in N.T. here and Luke 13:13; Acts 15:16. Hang down (παριημι — pareimenas). Perfect passive participle of παραλελυμενα — pariēmi old verb to let pass, to relax, in N.T. only here and Luke 11:42. Palsied (παραλυω — paralelumena). Perfect passive participle of paraluō old verb to loosen on the side, to dissolve, to paralyze (Luke 5:18, Luke 5:24). [source]
Hebrews 12:12 Lift up [ανορτωσατε]
First aorist active imperative of ανορτοω — anorthoō old compound (from ανα ορτος — ana class="normal greek">παρειμενας — orthos) to make straight, in N.T. here and Luke 13:13; Acts 15:16. Hang down (παριημι — pareimenas). Perfect passive participle of παραλελυμενα — pariēmi old verb to let pass, to relax, in N.T. only here and Luke 11:42. Palsied (παραλυω — paralelumena). Perfect passive participle of paraluō old verb to loosen on the side, to dissolve, to paralyze (Luke 5:18, Luke 5:24). [source]

What do the individual words in Acts 15:16 mean?

After these things I will return and will rebuild the tabernacle of David which has fallen the ruins of it I will rebuild I will set upright it
Μετὰ ταῦτα ἀναστρέψω καὶ ἀνοικοδομήσω τὴν σκηνὴν Δαυὶδ τὴν πεπτωκυῖαν τὰ κατεσκαμμένα αὐτῆς ἀνοικοδομήσω ἀνορθώσω αὐτήν

Μετὰ  After 
Parse: Preposition
Root: μετά  
Sense: with, after, behind.
ταῦτα  these  things 
Parse: Demonstrative Pronoun, Accusative Neuter Plural
Root: οὗτος  
Sense: this.
ἀναστρέψω  I  will  return 
Parse: Verb, Future Indicative Active, 1st Person Singular
Root: ἀναστρέφω  
Sense: to turn upside down, overturn.
ἀνοικοδομήσω  will  rebuild 
Parse: Verb, Future Indicative Active, 1st Person Singular
Root: ἀνοικοδομέω  
Sense: to build again.
σκηνὴν  tabernacle 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: σκηνή  
Sense: tent, tabernacle, (made of green boughs, or skins or other materials).
Δαυὶδ  of  David 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: Δαβίδ 
Sense: second king of Israel, and ancestor of Jesus Christ.
πεπτωκυῖαν  has  fallen 
Parse: Verb, Perfect Participle Active, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: πίπτω 
Sense: to descend from a higher place to a lower.
κατεσκαμμένα  ruins 
Parse: Verb, Perfect Participle Middle or Passive, Accusative Neuter Plural
Root: κατασκάπτω  
Sense: to dig under, dig down, demolish, destroy.
αὐτῆς  of  it 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive Feminine 3rd Person Singular
Root: αὐτός  
Sense: himself, herself, themselves, itself.
ἀνοικοδομήσω  I  will  rebuild 
Parse: Verb, Future Indicative Active, 1st Person Singular
Root: ἀνοικοδομέω  
Sense: to build again.
ἀνορθώσω  I  will  set  upright 
Parse: Verb, Future Indicative Active, 1st Person Singular
Root: ἀνορθόω  
Sense: to set up, make erect.