“Our ancestors,

In turn,

Brought in

The ark of the covenant

With Joshua,

When they took possession

Of the nations

That God drove out

Before the face

Of our ancestors.

It was there

Until the days of David.”

ἣν καὶ εἰσήγαγον διαδεξάμενοι οἱ πατέρες ἡμῶν μετὰ Ἰησοῦ ἐν τῇ κατασχέσει τῶν ἐθνῶν, ὧν ἐξῶσεν ὁ Θεὸς ἀπὸ προσώπου τῶν πατέρων ἡμῶν ἕως τῶν ἡμερῶν Δαυείδ·

The author of Acts indicated that Stephen said that their common ancestors (οἱ πατέρες ἡμῶν), in turn (διαδεξάμενοι), brought the ark of the covenant into (ἣν καὶ εἰσήγαγον) Canaan with Joshua (μετὰ Ἰησοῦ) when they took possession (ἐν τῇ κατασχέσει) of the nations (τῶν ἐθνῶν) that God (ὁ Θεὸς) drove out (ὧν ἐξῶσεν) before the face (ἀπὸ προσώπου) of their ancestors (τῶν πατέρων ἡμῶν).  It was there until the days of David (ἡμῶν ἕως τῶν ἡμερῶν Δαυείδ).  Acts was the only Greek biblical writing that used this word διαδεξάμενοι, that means to receive in turn or receive through another.  Acts was also the only Greek biblical writing that used this word κατασχέσει, that means holding fast or a possession, and the word ἐξῶσεν, that means to thrust out, drive out, expel, or propel.  This was based on Joshua, chapter 3:14-17, where the priests carried the ark of the covenant across the Jordan River into Canaan.  Stephen said that God had driven out these nations or tribes in Canaan, before they went to battle with them and took possession of their land.  However, the ark of the covenant did not have a permanent home until the time of King David.  Stephen was very good at showing the ancient history of Israel.  What do you know about the history of your religion?