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 did not cast off his people which he foreknew. Or wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elijah? how he pleadeth with God against Israel, 3Lord, they have killed thy prophets, they have digged down thine altars: and I am left alone, and they seek my life. But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have left for myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to Baal. 5Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace. 6But if it is by grace, it is no more of works: otherwise grace is no more 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

• Butἀλλάalla · butG235
• whatτίςtis · which?G5101
• theὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• ofἀνήρanēr · manG435
• Godαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846
• Iλέγωlegō · to sayG3004
• leftκαταλείπωkataleipō · to leave behindG2641
• myselfἐμαυτοῦemautou emautō emauton · myselfG1683
• sevenἑπτακισχίλιοιheptakischilioi · seven thousandG2035
• notοὐou · noG3756
• bowedκάμπτωkamptō · to bend/bowG2578
• kneeγόνυgonu · a kneeG1119
• BaalΒάαλBaal · BaalG896

Cross-references for Romans 11:4

• 1 Kings 19:18Yet will I leave me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him.
• Numbers 25:3And Israel joined himself unto Baal-peor: and the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel.
• Deuteronomy 4:3Your eyes have seen what the LORD did because of Baal-peor: for all the men that followed Baal-peor, the LORD thy God hath destroyed them from the midst of thee.
• Judges 2:13And they forsook the LORD, and served Baal and the Ashtaroth.
• 1 Kings 16:31And it came to pass, as if it had been a light thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, that he took to wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Zidonians, and went and served Baal, and worshipped him.
• 2 Kings 10:19Now therefore call unto me all the prophets of Baal, all his worshippers, and all his priests; let none be wanting: for I have a great sacrifice to do to Baal; whosoever shall be wanting, he shall not live. But Jehu did it in subtilty, to the intent that he might destroy the worshippers of Baal.
• Jeremiah 19:5and have built the high places of Baal, to burn their sons in the fire for burnt offerings unto Baal; which I commanded not, nor spake it, neither came it into my mind:
• Hosea 2:8For she did not know that I gave her the corn, and the wine, and the oil, and multiplied unto her silver and gold, which they used for Baal.
• Hosea 13:1When Ephraim spake, there was trembling; he exalted himself in Israel: but when he offended in Baal, he died.
• Zephaniah 1:4And I will stretch out mine hand upon Judah, and upon all the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and I will cut off the remnant of Baal from this place, and the name of the Chemarim 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
• Cast
• Conclude
• Dark
• Depth
• Election
• Election of Grace
• Emulation
• Grace

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