Albert Barnes Commentary Acts 7:39

"to whom our fathers would not be obedient, but thrust him from them, and turned back in their hearts unto Egypt," — Acts 7:39 (ASV)

Would not obey, etc. This refers to what they said of him when he was in the mount, Exodus 32:1, 23.

In their hearts turned, etc. 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.