Romans 9:27
Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved:
Original Language Analysis
κράζει
crieth
G2896
κράζει
crieth
Strong's:
G2896
Word #:
3 of 21
properly, to "croak" (as a raven) or scream, i.e., (genitive case) to call aloud (shriek, exclaim, intreat)
ὑπὲρ
concerning
G5228
ὑπὲρ
concerning
Strong's:
G5228
Word #:
4 of 21
"over", i.e., (with the genitive case) of place, above, beyond, across, or causal, for the sake of, instead, regarding; with the accusative case super
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰσραὴλ
Israel
G2474
Ἰσραὴλ
Israel
Strong's:
G2474
Word #:
6 of 21
israel (i.e., jisrael), the adopted name of jacob, including his descendants (literally or figuratively)
Ἐὰν
Though
G1437
Ἐὰν
Though
Strong's:
G1437
Word #:
7 of 21
a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.; often used in connection with other particles to denote indefiniteness or uncertainty
ᾖ
be
G5600
ᾖ
be
Strong's:
G5600
Word #:
8 of 21
(may, might, can, could, would, should, must, etc.; also with g1487 and its comparative, as well as with other particles) be
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
υἱῶν
of the children
G5207
υἱῶν
of the children
Strong's:
G5207
Word #:
12 of 21
a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship
Ἰσραὴλ
Israel
G2474
Ἰσραὴλ
Israel
Strong's:
G2474
Word #:
13 of 21
israel (i.e., jisrael), the adopted name of jacob, including his descendants (literally or figuratively)
ὡς
as
G5613
ὡς
as
Strong's:
G5613
Word #:
14 of 21
which how, i.e., in that manner (very variously used, as follows)
ἡ
G3588
ἡ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
15 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
17 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
19 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Isaiah 1:9Except 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.Hosea 1:10Yet the number of the children of Israel shall be as the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured nor numbered; and it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people, there it shall be said unto them, Ye are the sons of the living God.Jeremiah 5:10Go ye up upon her walls, and destroy; but make not a full end: take away her battlements; for they are not the LORD'S.Genesis 22:17That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies;Ezekiel 6:8Yet will I leave a remnant, that ye may have some that shall escape the sword among the nations, when ye shall be scattered through the countries.
Historical Context
Isaiah prophesied judgment and remnant during 8th century BC Assyrian crisis. Only a fraction survived exile. Paul applies this to first-century Israel: most rejected Messiah; a remnant (Jewish Christians like Paul, Peter, the Twelve, thousands in Jerusalem) believed. The pattern continues: true believers are always a remnant.
Questions for Reflection
- Why is the remnant always small—what does this teach about the nature of saving grace?
- How does the remnant doctrine humble ethnic/national pride and magnify election?
- What comfort is there in belonging to the remnant (even if small) vs. the majority?
Analysis & Commentary
Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved—Paul quotes Isaiah 10:22. The verb krazei (κράζει, 'cries out') suggests urgent proclamation. The contrast: hōs hē ammos tēs thalassēs (ὡς ἡ ἄμμος τῆς θαλάσσης, 'as the sand of the sea') vs. to hupoleimma (τὸ ὑπόλειμμα, 'the remnant'). Abrahamic promise included numerical multiplication (Genesis 22:17), yet only a remnant experiences salvation.
The remnant doctrine pervades Scripture: only Noah's family (Genesis 7), only Caleb/Joshua from the exodus generation (Numbers 14:30), 7,000 who didn't bow to Baal (1 Kings 19:18, quoted in 11:4). The majority perishes; the minority is saved. This is election within Israel—'not all Israel which are of Israel' (v. 6). The same principle of sovereign grace operates in both testaments. The smallness of the remnant magnifies grace: salvation doesn't depend on majority vote but God's choice.