To whom our fathers would not obey, but thrust him from them, and in their hearts turned back again into Egypt,

to whom our fathers would not be obedient, but thrust him from them, and turned back in their hearts unto Egypt,

Whom our fathers would not obey; but thrust him away, and in their hearts turned back into Egypt,

to whom our fathers would not be subject, but thrust him from them, and in their hearts turned back to Egypt,

to whom our fathers did not wish to become obedient, but did thrust away, and turned back in their hearts to Egypt,

"Our forefathers, however, would not submit to him, but spurned his authority and in their hearts turned back to Egypt.

By whom our fathers would not be controlled; but they put him on one side, turning back in their hearts to Egypt,

It is he whom our fathers were not willing to obey. Instead, they rejected him, and in their hearts they turned away toward Egypt,

Yet our ancestors refused him obedience; more than that, they rejected him, and in their hearts turned back to Egypt,

They refused, and were turned away. He saith that the fathers rejected Moses; and he showeth the cause also, because they gave themselves rather unto the superstitions of Egypt; which was horrible, and more than blind fury, to desire the customs and ordinances of Egypt, where they had suffered such grievous things of late. He saith that they were turned away into Egypt in their hearts; not that they desired to return thither, (bodily,) but because they returned in mind unto those corruptions, which they ought not so much as to have remembered without great detestation and hatred. It is true, indeed, that the Jews did once speak of returning; but Stephen toucheth not that history now. Furthermore, he doth rather express their stubbornness, when he saith that they were turned away. For after that they had taken the right way, having God for their guide and governor, they start aside suddenly, as if a stubborn unbroken horse, not obeying his rider, should frowardly run backward.

Would not obey - This refers to what they said of him when he was in the mount, Exodus 32:1, Exodus 32:23.
In their hearts turned - They wished to return to Egypt. They regretted that they had come out of Egypt, and desired again the things which they had there, as preferable to what they had in the desert, Numbers 11:5. Perhaps, however, the expression means, not that they desired literally to "return" to Egypt, but that "their hearts inclined to the habits and morals of the Egyptians." They forsook God, and imitated the idolatries of the Egyptians.

In their hearts turned back again into Egypt - Became idolaters, and preferred their Egyptian bondage and their idolatry to the promised land and the pure worship of God. See the whole of these transactions explained at large in the notes on Exodus 32:1-35 (note).

To whom our fathers would not obey,.... But often murmured against him, and were disobedient to him, and to the oracles he delivered to them, and so to God, whose oracles they were:
but thrust him from them; as one of the two Hebrews did, when he interposed to make up the difference between them; and which was an emblem and presage of what that people would afterwards do; Acts 7:27
and in their hearts turned back again into Egypt; they wished themselves there again, they lusted after the fish, the cucumbers, the melons, leeks, onions, and garlic there; and went so far as to move for a captain, and even to appoint one to lead them back thither again.

To whom our fathers would not obey, &c.--Here he shows that the deepest dishonor done to Moses came from the nation that now professed the greatest jealousy for his honor.
in their hearts turned back . . . into Egypt--"In this Stephen would have his hearers read the downward career on which they were themselves entering."

These verses summarize the unbelief, disbelief and waywardness of Israel under Moses. The point is to show that the rejection of Christ harmonizes with their past history. See Exodus 16:3; Exodus 17:4; Exodus 32:1-14; Deuteronomy 4:19.
Did ye offer unto me slain beasts and sacrifices? This passage is quoted from Amos 5:25-27. The emphasis is on me. Did ye not offer them to false gods also? The next verse gives the reply.