Romans 9:7

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, [are they] all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called.

Complete Jewish Bible:

indeed, not all the descendants are seed of Avraham; rather, “What is to be called your ‘seed’ will be in Yitz’chak.”

Berean Standard Bible:

Nor because they are Abraham’s descendants are they all his children. On the contrary, “Through Isaac your offspring will be reckoned.”

American Standard Version:

neither, because they are Abraham’s seed, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Neither^{G3761}, because^{G3754} they are^{G1526} the seed^{G4690} of Abraham^{G11}, are they all^{G3956} children^{G5043}: but^{G235}, In^{G1722} Isaac^{G2464} shall^{G2564} thy^{G4671} seed^{G4690} be called^{G2564}.

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Romans 9:7

Romans 9:7 is a verse that addresses the question of who truly belongs to the lineage of Abraham, and by implication, who are the inheritors of God's promises. In the broader context of Romans 9-11, the Apostle Paul is discussing the sovereignty of God in election and His right to choose whom He will show mercy. This verse specifically references the promise made to Abraham in Genesis 21:12, where God declares that Abraham's offspring will be reckoned through Isaac rather than Ishmael, Abraham's son with Hagar.

The historical context of this verse is rooted in the patriarchal narratives of the Old Testament. Abraham had two sons, Ishmael and Isaac, but God's covenant promise was to be fulfilled specifically through Isaac and his descendants. This promise was reiterated when Isaac's own sons, Esau and Jacob, were chosen with Jacob receiving the birthright and the covenant blessings, despite being the younger twin.

The themes of Romans 9:7 include the nature of God's promises, the concept of divine election, and the definition of true spiritual lineage. Paul uses the example of Abraham's descendants to illustrate that not all who are physically descended from Abraham are considered his spiritual heirs or children of the promise. Instead, it is those who are of faith—like Isaac and Jacob—who are regarded as Abraham's true children, which by extension includes both Jews and Gentiles who believe in Jesus Christ. This reflects the New Testament understanding that God's salvation is not limited to ethnic Israel but is available to all who have faith, thus expanding the definition of who constitutes the people of God.

*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: G3761
   There are 125 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: οὐδέ
   Transliteration: oudé
   Pronunciation: oo-deh'
   Description: from οὐ and δέ; not however, i.e. neither, nor, not even:--neither (indeed), never, no (more, nor, not), nor (yet), (also, even, then) not (even, so much as), + nothing, so much as.
   
2. Strong's Number: G3754
   There are 1189 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ὅτι
   Transliteration: hóti
   Pronunciation: hot'-ee
   Description: neuter of ὅστις as conjunction; demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because:--as concerning that, as though, because (that), for (that), how (that), (in) that, though, why.
   
3. 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.
   
4. Strong's Number: G4690
   There are 41 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: σπέρμα
   Transliteration: spérma
   Pronunciation: sper'-mah
   Description: from σπείρω; something sown, i.e. seed (including the male "sperm"); by implication, offspring; specially, a remnant (figuratively, as if kept over for planting):--issue, seed.
   
5. Strong's Number: G11
   There are 3442 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: Ἀβραάμ
   Transliteration: Abraám
   Pronunciation: ab-rah-am'
   Description: of Hebrew origin (אַבְרָהָם); Abraham, the Hebrew patriarch:--Abraham. (In Acts 7:16 the text should probably read Jacob.)
   
6. Strong's Number: G3956
   There are 1075 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: πᾶς
   Transliteration: pâs
   Pronunciation: pas
   Description: including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole:--all (manner of, means), alway(-s), any (one), X daily, + ever, every (one, way), as many as, + no(-thing), X thoroughly, whatsoever, whole, whosoever.
   
7. Strong's Number: G5043
   There are 91 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: τέκνον
   Transliteration: téknon
   Pronunciation: tek'-non
   Description: from the base of τίκτω; a child (as produced):--child, daughter, son.
   
8. Strong's Number: G235
   There are 635 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἀλλά
   Transliteration: allá
   Pronunciation: al-lah'
   Description: neuter plural of ἄλλος; properly, other things, i.e. (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations):--and, but (even), howbeit, indeed, nay, nevertheless, no, notwithstanding, save, therefore, yea, yet.
   
9. Strong's Number: G1722
   There are 2129 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἐν
   Transliteration: en
   Pronunciation: en
   Description: a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between εἰς and ἐκ); "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.:--about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (… sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition.
   
10. Strong's Number: G2464
    There are 18 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: Ἰσαάκ
    Transliteration: Isaák
    Pronunciation: ee-sah-ak'
    Description: of Hebrew origin (יִצְחָק); Isaac (i.e. Jitschak), the son of Abraham:--Isaac.
    
11. Strong's Number: G2564
    There are 138 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: καλέω
    Transliteration: kaléō
    Pronunciation: kal-eh'-o
    Description: akin to the base of κελεύω; to "call" (properly, aloud, but used in a variety of applications, directly or otherwise):--bid, call (forth), (whose, whose sur-)name (was (called)).
    
12. Strong's Number: G4671
    There are 204 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: σοί
    Transliteration: soí
    Pronunciation: soy
    Description: dative case of σύ; to thee:--thee, thine own, thou, thy.