Romans 9:4

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

Who are Israelites; to whom [pertaineth] the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service [of God], and the promises;

Complete Jewish Bible:

the people of Isra’el! They were made God’s children, the Sh’khinah has been with them, the covenants are theirs, likewise the giving of the Torah, the Temple service and the promises;

Berean Standard Bible:

the people of Israel. Theirs is the adoption as sons; theirs the divine glory and the covenants; theirs the giving of the law, the temple worship, and the promises.

American Standard Version:

who are Israelites; whose is the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises;

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Who^{G3748} are^{G1526} Israelites^{G2475}; to whom^{G3739} pertaineth the adoption^{G5206}, and^{G2532} the glory^{G1391}, and^{G2532} the covenants^{G1242}, and^{G2532} the giving of the law^{G3548}, and^{G2532} the service^{G2999} of God, and^{G2532} the promises^{G1860};

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Romans 9:4

Romans 9:4 is part of the Apostle Paul's letter to the Christian community in Rome, written around AD 57-58. This verse is embedded within a larger section where Paul discusses the sovereignty of God in choosing Israel as His people and the complexities of salvation history.

In this verse, Paul is referring to the "Israelites" as the ethnic and religious group descended from the biblical patriarch Jacob, also known as Israel. The text emphasizes that to these Israelites belong several key religious and historical privileges:

1. **Adoption**: This refers to the special relationship between God and Israel, akin to a father and his children, as indicated in Exodus 4:22-23, where God calls Israel His firstborn son.

2. **Glory**: This pertains to the manifest presence of God among the Israelites, most notably the Shekinah glory that filled the Tabernacle and later the Temple (Exodus 40:34-35).

3. **Covenants**: God established several covenants with the Israelites, the most significant being the Abrahamic, Mosaic, and Davidic covenants, which promised land, a system of law, and an everlasting kingdom, respectively.

4. **Giving of the Law**: This refers to the Torah, the Law of Moses, given to the Israelites at Mount Sinai, which contained moral, ceremonial, and civil laws that governed the religious and social life of the nation (Exodus 20).

5. **Service of God**: The Israelites were set apart for the service and worship of God, which included the sacrificial system and the priesthood, detailed in the Pentateuch.

6. **Promises**: This encompasses the numerous promises God made to the Israelites throughout the Old Testament, including the promise of a Messiah who would redeem not only Israel but all of humanity.

Paul's mention of these privileges serves to highlight God's faithfulness to Israel despite their current state of unbelief, which he addresses in the subsequent verses. The historical context of this verse is crucial, as it reflects the early Christian struggle with the inclusion of Gentiles (non-Jews) into the Church and the role of Israel in God's redemptive plan, a major theme in the New Testament. Paul's argument ultimately leads to a discussion on God's mercy and the inclusion of both Jews and Gentiles in the promises of God through faith in Jesus Christ.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: G3748
   There are 148 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ὅστις
   Transliteration: hóstis
   Pronunciation: hot'-ee
   Description: from ὅς and τὶς; which some, i.e. any that; also (definite) which same:--X and (they), (such) as, (they) that, in that they, what(-soever), whereas ye, (they) which, who(-soever). Compare ὅτι.
   
2. Strong's Number: G1526
   There are 146 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: εἰσί
   Transliteration: eisí
   Pronunciation: i-see'
   Description: 3rd person plural present indicative of εἰμί; they are:--agree, are, be, dure, X is, were.
   
3. Strong's Number: G2475
   There are 9 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: Ἰσραηλίτης
   Transliteration: Israēlítēs
   Pronunciation: is-rah-ale-ee'-tace
   Description: from Ἰσραήλ; an "Israelite", i.e. descendant of Israel (literally or figuratively):--Israelite.
   
4. Strong's Number: G3739
   There are 1215 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ὅς
   Transliteration: hós
   Pronunciation: ho
   Description: probably a primary word (or perhaps a form of the article ὁ); the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that:--one, (an-, the) other, some, that, what, which, who(-m, -se), etc. See also οὗ.
   
5. Strong's Number: G5206
   There are 5 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: υἱοθεσία
   Transliteration: huiothesía
   Pronunciation: hwee-oth-es-ee'-ah
   Description: from a presumed compound of υἱός and a derivative of τίθημι; the placing as a son, i.e. adoption (figuratively, Christian sonship in respect to God):--adoption (of children, of sons).
   
6. Strong's Number: G2532
   There are 5212 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: καί
   Transliteration: kaí
   Pronunciation: kahee
   Description: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
   
7. Strong's Number: G1391
   There are 151 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: δόξα
   Transliteration: dóxa
   Pronunciation: dox'-ah
   Description: from the base of δοκέω; glory (as very apparent), in a wide application (literal or figurative, objective or subjective):--dignity, glory(-ious), honour, praise, worship.
   
8. Strong's Number: G1242
   There are 30 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: διαθήκη
   Transliteration: diathḗkē
   Pronunciation: dee-ath-ay'-kay
   Description: from διατίθεμαι; properly, a disposition, i.e. (specially) a contract (especially a devisory will):--covenant, testament.
   
9. Strong's Number: G3548
   There are 1 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: νομοθεσία
   Transliteration: nomothesía
   Pronunciation: nom-oth-es-ee'-ah
   Description: from νομοθέτης; legislation (specially, the institution of the Mosaic code):--giving of the law.
   
10. Strong's Number: G2999
    There are 5 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: λατρεία
    Transliteration: latreía
    Pronunciation: lat-ri'-ah
    Description: from λατρεύω; ministration of God, i.e. worship:--(divine) service.
    
11. Strong's Number: G1860
    There are 51 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἐπαγγελία
    Transliteration: epangelía
    Pronunciation: ep-ang-el-ee'-ah
    Description: from ἐπαγγέλλω; an announcement (for information, assent or pledge; especially a divine assurance of good):--message, promise.