Romans 10:21
But to Israel he saith, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people.
Original Language Analysis
πρὸς
to
G4314
πρὸς
to
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
1 of 17
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰσραὴλ
Israel
G2474
Ἰσραὴλ
Israel
Strong's:
G2474
Word #:
4 of 17
israel (i.e., jisrael), the adopted name of jacob, including his descendants (literally or figuratively)
λέγει
he saith
G3004
λέγει
he saith
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
5 of 17
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
Ὅλην
All
G3650
Ὅλην
All
Strong's:
G3650
Word #:
6 of 17
"whole" or "all", i.e., complete (in extent, amount, time or degree), especially (neuter) as noun or adverb
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἡμέραν
day long
G2250
ἡμέραν
day long
Strong's:
G2250
Word #:
8 of 17
day, i.e., (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the jews as inclusive of
ἐξεπέτασα
I have stretched forth
G1600
ἐξεπέτασα
I have stretched forth
Strong's:
G1600
Word #:
9 of 17
to fly out, i.e., (by analogy) to extend
τὰς
G3588
τὰς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
χεῖράς
hands
G5495
χεῖράς
hands
Strong's:
G5495
Word #:
11 of 17
the hand (literally or figuratively (power); especially (by hebraism) a means or instrument)
πρὸς
to
G4314
πρὸς
to
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
13 of 17
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
λαὸν
people
G2992
λαὸν
people
Strong's:
G2992
Word #:
14 of 17
a people (in general; thus differing from g1218, which denotes one's own populace)
Cross References
Proverbs 1:24Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded;Jeremiah 35:15I have sent also unto you all my servants the prophets, rising up early and sending them, saying, Return ye now every man from his evil way, and amend your doings, and go not after other gods to serve them, and ye shall dwell in the land which I have given to you and to your fathers: but ye have not inclined your ear, nor hearkened unto me.Nehemiah 9:26Nevertheless they were disobedient, and rebelled against thee, and cast thy law behind their backs, and slew thy prophets which testified against them to turn them to thee, and they wrought great provocations.
Historical Context
Isaiah 65:2-7 indicted Judah's syncretism, idolatry, and covenant rebellion leading to Babylonian exile (586 BC). Jesus wept over Jerusalem (Luke 19:41-44) and pronounced judgment (Matt 23:37-39; 24:1-2). Stephen's martyrdom speech (Acts 7) chronicles Israel's history of rejecting God's messengers. In AD 70, Rome destroyed Jerusalem and the temple—the ultimate "stretching out hands" to a disobedient people. Yet the gospel remains "to the Jew first" (Rom 1:16), and God's promises to Israel are irrevocable (Rom 11:29).
Questions for Reflection
- How do you respond to God's outstretched hands—with obedience or gainsaying?
- What does God's persistent appeal to disobedient Israel reveal about His character and patience?
- How should this verse shape prayer for unbelieving Israel and confidence in God's plan for their future salvation?
Analysis & Commentary
But to Israel he saith, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people—The tragic conclusion: Pros de ton Israēl legei, Holēn tēn hēmeran exepetasa tas cheiras mou pros laon apeithonta kai antilegonta (πρὸς δὲ τὸν Ἰσραὴλ λέγει, ὅλην τὴν ἡμέραν ἐξεπέτασα τὰς χεῖράς μου πρὸς λαὸν ἀπειθοῦντα καὶ ἀντιλέγοντα). Paul continues quoting Isaiah 65:2, picturing God with outstretched hands—a posture of appeal, invitation, and longing. Holēn tēn hēmeran (ὅλην τὴν ἡμέραν, "all day long") emphasizes persistent patience despite persistent rejection.
Apeithonta (ἀπειθοῦντα, "disobedient, unwilling to be persuaded") and antilegonta (ἀντιλέγοντα, "contradicting, opposing, gainsaying") describe Israel's double sin: passive disobedience and active opposition. God's hands remain stretched out—He does not withdraw His offer—but Israel continually refuses. This sets up Romans 11's question: Has God rejected His people? Answer: No—a remnant believes (11:1-6), and future restoration is promised (11:25-27). But chapter 10 ends on Israel's tragic stubbornness, broken only by sovereign grace.