Romans 11:7
What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded
Original Language Analysis
τί
What
G5101
τί
What
Strong's:
G5101
Word #:
1 of 16
an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)
ὃ
which
G3739
ὃ
which
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
3 of 16
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
ἐπιζητεῖ
he seeketh for
G1934
ἐπιζητεῖ
he seeketh for
Strong's:
G1934
Word #:
4 of 16
to search (inquire) for; intensively, to demand, to crave
Ἰσραήλ
Israel
G2474
Ἰσραήλ
Israel
Strong's:
G2474
Word #:
5 of 16
israel (i.e., jisrael), the adopted name of jacob, including his descendants (literally or figuratively)
ἡ
G3588
ἡ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 16
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
2 Corinthians 4:4In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.Romans 9:18Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.Romans 11:25For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.Romans 11:5Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.2 Corinthians 3:14But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ.
Historical Context
By the late 50s AD, most synagogues had expelled Jewish believers in Jesus (John 9:22; 12:42). The majority of Israel did not recognize Jesus as Messiah, fulfilling prophetic patterns of remnant theology throughout Israel's history (Isaiah 6:9-10; 10:22-23).
Questions for Reflection
- How does the doctrine of election comfort believers while also sobering them regarding unbelief?
- What is judicial hardening, and how does it differ from arbitrary divine cruelty?
- How should we balance the mystery of election with genuine evangelistic urgency for those who are 'hardened'?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for—ho epitēdei (ὃ ἐπιτηδεῖ) refers to righteousness and covenant blessing. National Israel as a whole failed to obtain the goal pursued, because they pursued it by works (9:31-32). But the election hath obtained it—hē ekloge (ἡ ἐκλογή, "the elect") refers to the remnant chosen by grace. They obtained righteousness through faith in Christ.
And the rest were blinded (epōrōthēsan, ἐπωρώθησαν)—the verb means to harden, petrify, or make callous. The passive voice suggests divine agency (theological passive): God judicially hardened those who persistently rejected truth. This hardening is not arbitrary cruelty but a response to willful unbelief. Paul will quote Isaiah 29:10 and Psalm 69:22-23 (vv. 8-10) to show this hardening was prophesied. The remnant/hardening distinction explains first-century Israel: some believed (elect remnant), most rejected (judicially hardened).