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.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 20
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
προείρηκεν
said before
G4280
προείρηκεν
said before
Strong's:
G4280
Word #:
3 of 20
used as alternate of g4277; to say already, predict
μὴ
G3361
μὴ
Strong's:
G3361
Word #:
6 of 20
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
κύριος
the Lord
G2962
κύριος
the Lord
Strong's:
G2962
Word #:
7 of 20
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
Σαβαὼθ
of Sabaoth
G4519
Σαβαὼθ
of Sabaoth
Strong's:
G4519
Word #:
8 of 20
armies; sabaoth (i.e., tsebaoth), a military epithet of god
ἐγκατέλιπεν
had left
G1459
ἐγκατέλιπεν
had left
Strong's:
G1459
Word #:
9 of 20
to leave behind in some place, i.e., (in a good sense) let remain over, or (in a bad sense) to desert
σπέρμα
a seed
G4690
σπέρμα
a seed
Strong's:
G4690
Word #:
11 of 20
something sown, i.e., seed (including the male "sperm"); by implication, offspring; specially, a remnant (figuratively, as if kept over for planting)
ὡς
as
G5613
ὡς
as
Strong's:
G5613
Word #:
12 of 20
which how, i.e., in that manner (very variously used, as follows)
ἐγενήθημεν
G1096
ἐγενήθημεν
Strong's:
G1096
Word #:
15 of 20
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
16 of 20
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὡς
as
G5613
ὡς
as
Strong's:
G5613
Word #:
17 of 20
which how, i.e., in that manner (very variously used, as follows)
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.Isaiah 13:19And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldees' excellency, shall be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah.James 5:4Behold, 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 4:11I 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.Jeremiah 50:40As 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.Jeremiah 49:18As 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.2 Peter 2:6And 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;Deuteronomy 29:23And that the whole land thereof is brimstone, and salt, and burning, that it is not sown, nor beareth, nor any grass groweth therein, like the overthrow of Sodom, and Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboim, which the LORD overthrew in his anger, and in his wrath:Jude 1:7Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.
Historical Context
Isaiah 1:9 addresses 8th century BC Judah, morally corrupt like Sodom (Isaiah 1:10). Only God's intervention saved a remnant. Paul applies this to his day: Israel's rejection of Messiah warranted total destruction, yet God preserved a believing remnant (Jewish Christians). The pattern repeats: judgment tempered by electing grace.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the Sodom/Gomorrah comparison emphasize the totality of deserved judgment?
- What does 'the Lord of Sabaoth left us a seed' teach about the sovereignty of grace in preservation?
- How does the remnant's survival prove that election is the only explanation for any being saved?
Analysis & Commentary
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—Paul quotes Isaiah 1:9. Kyrios Sabaōth (Κύριος Σαβαώθ) is Hebrew YHWH tseva'ot (יְהוָה צְבָאוֹת, 'LORD of hosts/armies')—God as commander of heavenly armies, emphasizing sovereign power. Sperma (σπέρμα, 'seed') is the remnant—those God preserves.
The comparison to Sodom/Gomorrah (Genesis 19) evokes total destruction—no survivors but Lot's family. Israel deserved such annihilation but for God's grace in preserving a seed. The conditional 'except' (ei mē, εἰ μή) underscores that survival is pure mercy, not merit. The remnant's existence proves election: if left to ourselves, all would perish. That any escape is God's sovereign grace. This prepares for chapter 11: the remnant exists 'according to the election of grace' (11:5).