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 hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Know ye not what the scripture saith of Elijah? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel, saying, 3Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and torn down thy altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life. But what saith the answer of God to him? I have reserved to 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. 6And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.

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
• saithλέγωlegō · to sayG3004
• Godχρηματισμόςchrēmatismos · proclamationG5538
• himαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846
• reservedκαταλείπωkataleipō · to leave behindG2641
• myselfἐμαυτοῦemautou emautō emauton · myselfG1683
• thousandἑπτακισχίλιοιheptakischilioi · seven thousandG2035
• menἀνήρanēr · manG435
• whoὅστιςhostis hētis ho6ti · who/whichG3748
• haveκάμπτωkamptō · to bend/bowG2578
• notοὐou · noG3756
• kneeγόνυgonu · a kneeG1119
• BaalΒάαλBaal · BaalG896

Cross-references for Romans 11:4

• 1 Kings 19:18Yet I have left to me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him.
• Numbers 25:3And Israel joined himself to Baalpeor: and the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel.
• Deuteronomy 4:3Your eyes have seen what the LORD did because of Baalpeor: for all the men that followed Baalpeor, the LORD thy God hath destroyed them from among you.
• Judges 2:13And they forsook the LORD, and served Baal and 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 for a wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Zidonians, and went and served Baal, and worshipped him.
• 2 Kings 10:19Now therefore call to me all the prophets of Baal, all his servants, and all his priests; let none be missing: for I have a great sacrifice to do to Baal; whoever shall be missing, he shall not live. But Jehu did it deceitfully, to the intent that he might destroy the worshippers of Baal.
• Jeremiah 19:5They have built also the high places of Baal, to burn their sons with fire for burnt offerings to Baal, which I commanded not, nor spoke it, neither came it into my mind:
• Hosea 2:8For she did not know that I gave her grain, and wine, and oil, and multiplied her silver and gold, which they prepared for Baal.
• Hosea 13:1When Ephraim spoke trembling, he exalted himself in Israel; but when he offended in Baal, he died.
• Zephaniah 1:4I will also stretch out my 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 Chemarims 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