God’s Word Translation
Romans 9:13
13The Scriptures say, “I loved Jacob, but I hated Esau.”
Romans 9:13 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.
- New International Version (NIV)Just as it is written: “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”
- English Standard Version (ESV)As it is written, "Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated."
- New King James Version (NKJV)As it is written, “Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have hated.”
Context of Romans 9:13
11Before the children had been born or had done anything good or bad, Rebekah was told that the older child would serve the younger one. This was said to Rebekah so that God’s plan would remain a matter of his choice, 12a choice based on God’s call and not on anything people do. The Scriptures say, “I loved Jacob, but I hated Esau.” 14What can we say—that God is unfair? That’s unthinkable! 15For example, God said to Moses, “I will be kind to anyone I want to. I will be merciful to anyone I want to.”
Read all of Romans 9Romans 9:13 word by word
καθὼς γέγραπται· τὸν Ἰακὼβ ἠγάπησα, τὸν δὲ Ἠσαῦ ἐμίσησα.¶Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Romans 9:13
- Malachi 1:2“I loved you,” says the Lord. “But you ask, ‘How did you love us?’ “Wasn’t Esau Jacob’s brother?” declares the Lord. “I loved Jacob,
- Genesis 29:31When the Lord saw Leah was unloved, he made it possible for her to have children, but Rachel had none.
- Deuteronomy 21:15A man might have two wives and love one but not the other. Both wives might have children, and the firstborn son might belong to the wife that the man doesn’t love.
- Proverbs 13:24Whoever refuses to spank his son hates him, but whoever loves his son disciplines him from early on.
- Matthew 10:37“The person who loves his father or mother more than me does not deserve to be my disciple. The person who loves a son or daughter more than me does not deserve to be my disciple.
- Luke 14:26“If people come to me and are not ready to abandon their fathers, mothers, wives, children, brothers, and sisters, as well as their own lives, they cannot be my disciples.
- John 12:25Those who love their lives will destroy them, and those who hate their lives in this world will guard them for everlasting life.
Commentaries on Romans 9:13
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 6-13Verses 6-13 The rejection of the Jews by the gospel dispensation, did not break God's promise to the patriarchs. The promises and threatenings shall be fulfilled. Grace does not run in the blood; nor are saving benefits always found with outward church privileges. Not only some of Abraham's seed were chosen, and others not, but God therein wrought according to the counsel of his own will. God foresaw both Esau and Jacob as born in sin, by nature children…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 13“Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated”: Paul quotes Malachi 1:2–3. In that passage, Jacob, whose other name is Israel (Genesis 32:28). , represents the nation of Israel. Esau represents the nation of Edom. Here in Romans, Paul speaks of Jacob and Esau as individuals. In the Bible, the word love can express choice or acceptance. In the same way, the word hate can express rejection rather than personal anger. Paul uses the story of Jacob and Esau to show that…Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 10-1310-13. And not only this; but when Rebecca, &c.--It might be thought that there was a natural reason for preferring the child of Sarah, as being Abraham's true and first wife, both to the child of Hagar, Sarah's maid, and to the children of Keturah, his second wife. But there could be no such reason in the case of Rebecca, Isaac's only wife; for the choice of her son Jacob was the choice of one of two sons by the same mother and of the younger in…Read the comment
- Calvin’s Commentaries · v. 1313. As it is written, Jacob I loved, etc. He confirms, by a still stronger testimony, how much the heavenly answer, given to Rebecca, availed to his present purpose, that is, that the spiritual condition of both was intimated by the dominion of Jacob and servitude of Esau, and also that Jacob obtained this favor through the kindness of God, and not through his own merit. Then this testimony of the prophet shows the reason why the Lord conferred on Jacob…Read the comment
Topics related to Romans 9:13
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Romans 9
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- 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
- 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
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
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