Romans 9:29

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.

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}.

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.”

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.”

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.

Romans 9:29 (KJV) stands as a powerful testament to God's enduring faithfulness and His sovereign plan of preservation, even in the face of widespread rebellion. Paul quotes the prophet Isaiah to underscore the truth that God always maintains a remnant for Himself, preventing complete destruction.

Context

This verse is part of Paul's extended argument in Romans Chapter 9, where he grapples with the question of Israel's apparent rejection and God's faithfulness to His covenant promises. Paul asserts that God's word has not failed, because His promises were always directed toward a chosen remnant within Israel, not the entire nation indiscriminately. The citation of Isaiah 1:9 serves to validate this point from the Old Testament, demonstrating that the concept of a preserved "seed" or remnant was always part of God's plan for Israel.

Key Themes

  • Divine Preservation and the Remnant: The core message is that God, in His mercy, always preserves a faithful "seed" or remnant. Without this divine intervention, the nation of Israel would have faced total annihilation, likened to the catastrophic judgment that befell Sodom and Gomorrah. This theme resonates throughout biblical history, highlighting God's commitment to His covenant people.
  • God's Sovereignty and Mercy: The phrase "Except the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed" profoundly emphasizes God's sovereign hand in salvation. It is by His grace and choice, not human merit, that any survive or remain faithful. This underscores God's active role in election and preservation.
  • Averted Catastrophe: The stark comparison to Sodom and Gomorrah serves as a powerful reminder of the severity of God's justice and the immense mercy shown to Israel. It highlights that their preservation was not a given, but a direct result of God's deliberate act of leaving a remnant.

Linguistic Insights

The title "Lord of Sabaoth" (Greek: Kyrios Sabaoth, Hebrew: Yahweh Sabaoth) is highly significant. Sabaoth is a Hebrew word meaning "hosts" or "armies." Thus, "Lord of Sabaoth" translates to "Lord of Hosts" or "Lord of Armies." This title emphasizes God's supreme power, majesty, and His absolute control over all creation—celestial armies, natural forces, and human affairs. It paints a picture of God as a mighty warrior and sovereign ruler, capable of both immense judgment and profound salvation.

The term "seed" (Greek: sperma) here refers to a small, surviving portion or offspring, not necessarily in a literal biological sense, but metaphorically as a faithful remnant. This concept is crucial to understanding God's ongoing work with Israel, as further explored in Romans 11:5, where Paul speaks of a "remnant according to the election of grace."

Practical Application

Romans 9:29 offers immense hope and challenges believers today. It assures us that even in times of widespread unfaithfulness or moral decline, God remains faithful to His promises and always preserves a people for Himself. This verse calls us to recognize God's sovereign hand in history and in our personal lives, reminding us that any spiritual vitality or preservation comes not from human strength but from His undeserved mercy. It encourages humility and gratitude for God's preserving grace, and a commitment to being part of that faithful "seed" that stands for truth in a world prone to spiritual decay.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 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;

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