Romans 11:4
But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal.
Original Language Analysis
ἀλλὰ
But
G235
ἀλλὰ
But
Strong's:
G235
Word #:
1 of 16
properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
τί
what
G5101
τί
what
Strong's:
G5101
Word #:
2 of 16
an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)
λέγει
saith
G3004
λέγει
saith
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
3 of 16
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
αὐτῷ
unto him
G846
αὐτῷ
unto him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
4 of 16
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 16
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Κατέλιπον
I have reserved
G2641
Κατέλιπον
I have reserved
Strong's:
G2641
Word #:
7 of 16
to leave down, i.e., behind; by implication, to abandon, have remaining
ἐμαυτῷ
to myself
G1683
ἐμαυτῷ
to myself
Strong's:
G1683
Word #:
8 of 16
of myself so likewise the dative case ?????? <pronunciation strongs="em-ow-to'"/>, and accusative case ??????? <pronunciation strongs="em-ow-ton'"/>
Historical Context
Baal was the Canaanite storm god whose worship included fertility rituals. Jezebel, daughter of the Sidonian king, imported this cult systematically. The phrase 'bowed the knee' refers to the posture of worship—these 7,000 maintained exclusive Yahweh worship despite intense cultural and political pressure to syncretize or apostatize.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's preservation of 7,000 challenge Elijah's (and our) tendency to view situations through limited human perspective?
- What does it mean that God 'reserved' these believers—what does this teach about divine sovereignty in preservation?
- Who are the hidden faithful in your context that God may be preserving despite outward appearances of spiritual decline?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
But what saith the answer of God unto him? (ho chrēmatismos, ὁ χρηματισμός)—the noun denotes a divine oracle or authoritative response. God corrects Elijah's despair with stunning revelation: I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal. The verb kateleipsa (κατέλειψα, "reserved") emphasizes God's sovereign preservation. These 7,000 were not self-preserved faithful; God Himself kept them from apostasy.
The number seven thousand may be literal or symbolize completeness (7 × 1,000), but the point is clear: Elijah dramatically underestimated God's work. The phrase who have not bowed the knee (oitines ou kamptō to gony) uses the definite article tē Baal (τῇ Βάαλ), treating the feminine noun as masculine to express contempt. Baal worship involved physical prostration; these 7,000 refused idolatrous compromise. Paul's argument: just as God preserved a remnant then, He preserves one now.