Romans 11:4

Romans 11:4 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal.
• New International Version (NIV)And what was God’s answer to him? “I have reserved for myself seven thousand who have not bowed the knee to Baal.”
• English Standard Version (ESV)But what is God's reply to him? "I have kept for myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal."
• New King James Version (NKJV)But what does the divine response say to him? “I have reserved for Myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.”

Context of Romans 11:4

2God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew. Or don’t you know what the Scripture says in the passage about Elijah — how he pleads with God against Israel? 3Lord, they have killed your prophets and torn down your altars. I am the only one left, and they are trying to take my life! But what was God’s answer to him? I have left seven thousand for myself who have not bowed down to Baal. 5In the same way, then, there is also at the present time a remnant chosen by grace. 6Now if by grace, then it is not by works; otherwise grace ceases to be grace.

Romans 11:4 word by word

ἀλλὰ τί λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ χρηματισμός; κατέλιπον ἐμαυτῷ ἑπτακισχιλίους ἄνδρας οἵτινες οὐκ ἔκαμψαν γόνυ τῇ Βάαλ.Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• Butἀλλάalla · butG235
• whatτίςtis · which?G5101
• saithλέγωlegō · to sayG3004
• the answer of Godχρηματισμόςchrēmatismos · proclamationG5538
• unto himαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846
• I have reservedκαταλείπωkataleipō · to leave behindG2641
• to myselfἐμαυτοῦemautou emautō emauton · myselfG1683
• seven thousandἑπτακισχίλιοιheptakischilioi · seven thousandG2035
• menἀνήρanēr · manG435
• whoὅστιςhostis hētis ho6ti · who/whichG3748
• haveκάμπτωkamptō · to bend/bowG2578
• notοὐou · noG3756
• the kneeγόνυgonu · a kneeG1119
• toΒάαλBaal · BaalG896

Cross-references for Romans 11:4

• 1 Kings 19:18But I will leave seven thousand in Israel — every knee that has not bowed to Baal and every mouth that has not kissed him.”
• Numbers 25:3So Israel aligned itself with Baal of Peor, and the Lord’s anger burned against Israel.
• Deuteronomy 4:3Your eyes have seen what the Lord did at Baal-peor, for the Lord your God destroyed every one of you who followed Baal of Peor.
• Judges 2:13for they abandoned him and worshiped Baal and the Ashtoreths.
• 1 Kings 16:31Then, as if following the sin of Jeroboam son of Nebat were not enough, he married Jezebel, the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians, and then proceeded to serve Baal and bow in worship to him.
• 2 Kings 10:19Now, therefore, summon to me all the prophets of Baal, all his servants, and all his priests. None must be missing, for I have a great sacrifice for Baal. Whoever is missing will not live.” However, Jehu was acting deceptively in order to destroy the servants of Baal.
• Jeremiah 19:5They have built high places to Baal on which to burn their children in the fire as burnt offerings to Baal, something I have never commanded or mentioned; I never entertained the thought.
• Hosea 2:8She does not recognize that it is I who gave her the grain, the new wine, and the fresh oil. I lavished silver and gold on her, which they used for Baal.
• Hosea 13:1When Ephraim spoke, there was trembling; he was exalted in Israel. But he incurred guilt through Baal and died.
• Zephaniah 1:4I will stretch out my hand against Judah and against all the residents of Jerusalem. I will cut off every vestige of Baal from this place, the names of the pagan priests along with the priests;

Commentaries on Romans 11:4

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 4But what saith the answer of God - The answer which God made assured him that there were seven thousand, that is, several or many thousands; for so we must understand the word seven, a certain for an uncertain number. These had continued faithful to God; but, because of Jezebel's persecution, they were obliged to conceal their attachment to the true religion; and God, in his providence, preserved them from her sanguinary rage. Who have not bowed the knee…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 4The answer of God - ̔ ́ ho chrēmatismosThis word is used no where else in the New Testament. It means an oracle, a divine response. It does not indicate the manner in which it was done, but implies only that it was an oracle, or answer made to his complaint by God. Such an answer, at such a time, would be full of comfort, and silence every complaint. The way in which this answer was in fact given, was not in a storm, or an earthquake, but in a still…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 1-32n this section, Paul addresses a serious question. Many Jews did not believe in Jesus. If God had promised salvation to Israel, how could Jesus truly fulfill God’s plan when so few Jews believed (9:1–5)? In response, Paul uses the Old Testament to show that God always planned to save only a remnant, that is, a smaller group within Israel (9:6–29). Paul also explains that many Jews did not accept Christ because they refused to trust in him (9:30–10:21)…Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2-42-4. God hath--"did" not cast away his people--that is, wholly which he foreknew--On the word "foreknew," see on Ro 8:29. Wot--that is, "Know" ye not that the scripture saith of--literally, "in," that is, in the section which relates to Elias? how he maketh intercession--"pleadeth" against Israel--(The word "saying," which follows, as also the particle "and" before "digged down," should be omitted, as without manuscript authority).Read the comment

Topics related to Romans 11:4

• Quotations and Allusions
• Salvation

In the dictionaries

• Baal
• God
• god, false god, goddess, idol, idolater, idolatrous, idolatry
• Cast
• Conclude
• Dark
• Depth
• Election
• Election of Grace
• Emulation

Commentaries on Romans 11

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings