Romans 9:29

KJV

And as Esaias said before, Except the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed, we had been as Sodoma, and been made like unto Gomorrha.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} as {G2531} Esaias {G2268} said before {G4280}, Except {G1508} the Lord {G2962} of Sabaoth {G4519} had left {G1459} us {G2254} a seed {G4690}, we had been {G302}{G1096} as {G5613} Sodoma {G4670}, and {G2532} been made like {G302}{G3666} unto {G5613} Gomorrha {G1116}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Also, as Yesha‘yahu said earlier,

“If Adonai-Tzva’ot had not left us a seed,
we would have become like S’dom,
we would have resembled ‘Amora.”

Berean Standard Bible

It is just as Isaiah foretold: “Unless the Lord of Hosts had left us descendants, we would have become like Sodom, we would have resembled Gomorrah.”

American Standard Version

And, as Isaiah hath said before, Except the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed, We had become as Sodom, and had been made like unto Gomorrah.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Romans 9:29, a direct quotation from Isaiah 1:9, serves as a profound declaration of God's sovereign preservation of a faithful remnant within Israel, thereby averting complete national destruction. Paul employs this Old Testament prophecy to underscore the truth that despite widespread disobedience, God's covenant promises remain steadfast, fulfilled not through the entire nation indiscriminately, but through a chosen "seed" whom He graciously preserves, preventing Israel from suffering the same catastrophic fate as Sodom and Gomorrah.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed within Paul's deeply theological and often challenging discourse in Romans 9-11, where he grapples with the perplexing question of Israel's apparent rejection of Christ and God's continued faithfulness to His covenant people. Paul has just asserted God's sovereign right to choose whom He will show mercy (e.g., [Romans 9:15-18](/romans/9-15-18 "God's Sovereign Choice of Mercy and Hardening")). Romans 9:29, by quoting Isaiah, provides Old Testament validation for Paul's argument that God's plan for Israel always included the preservation of a remnant, demonstrating that His word has not failed, but rather is being fulfilled through a select few, not the entire ethnic nation. This sets the stage for Paul's further exploration of the remnant in [Romans 11](/romans/11 "Romans 11 - The Remnant and Israel's Future").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The original prophecy in [Isaiah 1:9](/isaiah/1-9 "Isaiah 1:9 - The Remnant of Israel") was uttered during a period of profound spiritual decline and political instability in Judah, characterized by widespread sin, corruption, and idolatry. Isaiah's message was one of impending judgment, but also of a glimmer of hope rooted in God's promise to preserve a small, faithful portion of His people. The reference to Sodom and Gomorrah immediately evokes the historical memory of divine, catastrophic judgment against extreme wickedness, as recorded in [Genesis 19](/genesis/19 "Genesis 19 - Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah"). For Paul's audience, both Jewish and Gentile believers in Rome, this imagery would have powerfully communicated the severity of God's justice and the immense mercy extended to Israel through the preservation of a remnant, preventing their utter annihilation.
* **Key Themes:** Romans 9:29 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Romans and the broader biblical narrative. The most prominent is the theme of **Divine Preservation and the Remnant**, emphasizing that God, in His unfailing mercy, always maintains a faithful "seed" even amidst widespread apostasy. This concept is vital for understanding God's ongoing work with Israel and His people throughout history, as seen in [1 Kings 19:18](/1_kings/19-18 "God Preserves a Remnant of 7,000 in Israel") and further developed by Paul in [Romans 11:5](/romans/11-5 "The Remnant According to the Election of Grace"). Another critical theme is **God's Sovereignty and Mercy**, highlighted by the phrase "Except the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed," which underscores that salvation and preservation are entirely dependent on God's gracious initiative, not human merit or numbers. Finally, the stark **Averted Catastrophe** through the comparison to Sodom and Gomorrah serves as a potent reminder of the severity of God's justice and the profound depth of His mercy that intervened to save Israel from utter destruction.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Sabaoth (Greek, _sabaṓth'_):** This word, transliterated directly from the Hebrew (צָבָא, _tsebaoth_), means "armies" or "hosts." When used in the title "Lord of Sabaoth" (Greek: _Kyrios Sabaoth_), it emphasizes God's supreme power, majesty, and His absolute control over all creation—celestial armies, natural forces, and human affairs. It portrays God as the mighty, sovereign commander of all things, capable of both immense judgment and profound salvation.
* **left (Greek, _enkataleípō'_):** This verb signifies "to leave behind in some place," with the nuance of "let remain over" in a good sense, or "to desert" in a bad sense. Here, it is used in the positive sense of God deliberately allowing a portion to survive or remain. It highlights God's active and intentional role in preserving a remnant, indicating that their survival is not accidental but a direct result of His divine purpose and action.
* **seed (Greek, _spérma'_):** While literally referring to something sown or offspring, in this context, "seed" is used metaphorically. It signifies a small, surviving portion, a remnant that God has preserved. This "seed" is not merely a biological lineage but a spiritually faithful remnant, a chosen few through whom God's purposes for Israel and ultimately for humanity will continue to unfold.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And as Esaias said before,"**: This introductory clause clearly identifies the source of the following statement as the prophet Isaiah, specifically from [Isaiah 1:9](/isaiah/1-9 "Isaiah 1:9 - The Remnant of Israel"). Paul's use of this quotation grounds his theological argument in the authoritative words of the Old Testament, demonstrating continuity between God's past dealings with Israel and His present work.
* **"Except the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed,"**: This is the core condition for Israel's survival. The phrase "Lord of Sabaoth" emphasizes God's omnipotence and sovereign authority as the "Lord of Hosts" or "Lord of Armies." The crucial act is that He "had left us a seed," meaning He mercifully preserved a small, faithful remnant. This highlights that Israel's continued existence as a distinct people, and their spiritual preservation, was not due to their own merit or strength, but solely to God's deliberate and gracious intervention.
* **"we had been as Sodoma, and been made like unto Gomorrha."**: This stark comparison underscores the severity of the judgment Israel would have faced without God's preserving grace. Sodom and Gomorrah represent cities that experienced total and irreversible destruction due to their extreme wickedness, as depicted in [Genesis 19:24-25](/genesis/19-24-25 "The Fiery Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah"). By likening Israel's potential fate to theirs, the verse powerfully conveys that Israel was on the brink of complete annihilation and that their salvation from such a fate was a profound act of divine mercy, contingent entirely on the preservation of a "seed."

#### Literary Devices
Romans 9:29 effectively employs several literary devices to convey its powerful message. The most prominent is **Quotation/Allusion**, as Paul directly quotes from [Isaiah 1:9](/isaiah/1-9 "Isaiah 1:9 - The Remnant of Israel"). This serves to validate his theological argument concerning the remnant by drawing on the authoritative voice of an Old Testament prophet, demonstrating the consistency of God's plan throughout history. Secondly, the verse utilizes **Hyperbole** and **Stark Contrast** by comparing Israel's potential fate to that of Sodom and Gomorrah. This exaggerated comparison emphasizes the absolute severity of the judgment Israel narrowly avoided, thereby highlighting the immense depth of God's mercy and the critical importance of the "seed." The phrase "we had been as Sodoma, and been made like unto Gomorrha" is a powerful **Simile**, explicitly drawing a parallel between Israel's potential destruction and the well-known, complete devastation of those cities. Finally, the term "seed" functions as a **Metaphor** for the faithful remnant. It is not a literal biological seed but a figurative representation of a small, chosen group preserved by God for His purposes, implying continuity and future growth despite present desolation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Romans 9:29 profoundly articulates the doctrine of the remnant, a recurring theme throughout biblical theology. It teaches that God, in His sovereign election and steadfast mercy, always preserves a faithful core of His people, even when the majority may fall into unbelief or disobedience. This preservation is not based on human merit or numerical strength, but solely on God's gracious initiative. The verse highlights the severity of God's justice against sin, while simultaneously magnifying His boundless mercy that intervenes to prevent utter destruction, ensuring the continuity of His covenant promises through a chosen few. This divine act of preservation underscores God's unwavering faithfulness to His redemptive plan, even when His people are unfaithful.

* [Isaiah 6:13](/isaiah/6-13 "The Holy Seed")
* [Romans 11:5](/romans/11-5 "The Remnant According to Grace")
* [1 Kings 19:18](/1_kings/19-18 "God Preserves 7,000")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Romans 9:29 offers immense encouragement and a call to humility for believers today. It assures us that even in times of widespread spiritual decline, moral compromise, or apparent unfaithfulness within the visible church or society, God remains utterly faithful to His promises and always preserves a people for Himself. This truth should instill hope, reminding us that God's purposes will ultimately prevail, irrespective of the prevailing cultural currents or the numerical strength of His followers. It calls us to recognize that any spiritual vitality, preservation, or growth we experience, individually or corporately, comes not from our own strength, wisdom, or efforts, but entirely from God's undeserved mercy and sovereign election. This fosters profound humility and gratitude, prompting us to live as part of that faithful "seed," standing for truth and righteousness in a world that often drifts into spiritual decay, trusting in God's preserving grace rather than our own perceived strength.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the concept of God preserving a "remnant" challenge or affirm your understanding of God's justice and mercy?**
* **In what ways do you see God's preserving hand at work in the world or in the church today, even amidst widespread unfaithfulness?**
* **How does the realization that your own salvation and spiritual preservation are due to God's sovereign grace impact your humility and gratitude?**
* **What does it mean for you to be part of God's "seed" or remnant in your current context, and how might that influence your actions and priorities?**

### FAQ
**What is the meaning of "Lord of Sabaoth" in this verse?**

Answer: "Lord of Sabaoth" (Greek: _Kyrios Sabaoth_) is a transliteration of the Hebrew title _Yahweh Sabaoth_, meaning "Lord of Hosts" or "Lord of Armies." This title emphasizes God's supreme power, majesty, and His absolute control over all creation—including celestial armies, natural forces, and human affairs. It portrays God as the mighty, sovereign commander of all things, highlighting His omnipotence and His ability to execute both judgment and salvation. It underscores that the preservation of the "seed" is an act of His sovereign will and power.

**Why does Paul compare Israel to Sodom and Gomorrah?**

Answer: Paul's comparison of Israel to Sodom and Gomorrah serves as a stark and powerful **contrast** to highlight the severity of the judgment Israel would have faced had God not intervened to preserve a remnant. Sodom and Gomorrah are biblical examples of cities that experienced total and irreversible destruction due to their extreme wickedness, as recounted in [Genesis 19](/genesis/19 "Genesis 19 - Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah"). By drawing this parallel, Paul emphasizes that Israel's preservation was not a given, but a profound act of divine mercy, preventing their utter annihilation and demonstrating the depth of God's grace in leaving a "seed."

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Romans 9:29, with its emphasis on God preserving a "seed" to avert total destruction, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. While the immediate context refers to a remnant within ethnic Israel, the New Testament reveals that Christ Himself is the true "seed" (or offspring) through whom God's promises are ultimately fulfilled, as Paul argues in [Galatians 3:16](/galatians/3-16 "Galatians 3:16 - The Promise to Abraham's Seed"). He is the one faithful Israelite, the "righteous Branch" (e.g., [Jeremiah 23:5](/jeremiah/23-5 "Jeremiah 23:5 - A Righteous Branch")), the perfectly obedient Son, through whom God establishes His new covenant people. Furthermore, the "seed" that God "left" is not merely a historical remnant but a spiritual remnant, comprised of all who are "in Christ" by faith, whether Jew or Gentile (e.g., [Romans 10:12-13](/romans/10-12-13 "Romans 10:12-13 - No Distinction Between Jew and Gentile")). Through Christ's atoning sacrifice, the judgment that would have consumed humanity—a judgment far more severe than that which befell Sodom and Gomorrah—is averted for all who believe (e.g., [John 3:16-17](/john/3-16-17 "John 3:16-17 - God So Loved the World")). Thus, Christ is not only the preserved "seed" but also the One who preserves, gathering to Himself a people, His church, who are the true spiritual Israel, saved from the wrath to come by His divine intervention and grace (e.g., [1 Thessalonians 1:10](/1_thessalonians/1-10 "1 Thessalonians 1:10 - Jesus Delivers Us from the Wrath to Come")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Isaiah 1:9

Except the LORD of hosts had left unto us a very small remnant, we should have been as Sodom, [and] we should have been like unto Gomorrah.

James 5:4

Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth.

Amos 4:11

I have overthrown [some] of you, as God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah, and ye were as a firebrand plucked out of the burning: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD.

Isaiah 13:19

¶ And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldees' excellency, shall be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah.

Jeremiah 49:18

As in the overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah and the neighbour [cities] thereof, saith the LORD, no man shall abide there, neither shall a son of man dwell in it.

Jeremiah 50:40

As God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah and the neighbour [cities] thereof, saith the LORD; [so] shall no man abide there, neither shall any son of man dwell therein.

2 Peter 2:6

And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned [them] with an overthrow, making [them] an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly;