Romans 9:4
Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises;
Original Language Analysis
Ἰσραηλῖται
Israelites
G2475
Ἰσραηλῖται
Israelites
Strong's:
G2475
Word #:
3 of 21
an "israelite", i.e., descendant of israel (literally or figuratively)
ὧν
to whom
G3739
ὧν
to whom
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
4 of 21
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
ἡ
G3588
ἡ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
υἱοθεσία
pertaineth the adoption
G5206
υἱοθεσία
pertaineth the adoption
Strong's:
G5206
Word #:
6 of 21
the placing as a son, i.e., adoption (figuratively, christian sonship in respect to god)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
7 of 21
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἡ
G3588
ἡ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
δόξα
the glory
G1391
δόξα
the glory
Strong's:
G1391
Word #:
9 of 21
glory (as very apparent), in a wide application (literal or figurative, objective or subjective)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
10 of 21
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
αἱ
G3588
αἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
διαθῆκαι
the covenants
G1242
διαθῆκαι
the covenants
Strong's:
G1242
Word #:
12 of 21
properly, a disposition, i.e., (specially) a contract (especially a devisory will)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
13 of 21
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἡ
G3588
ἡ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
νομοθεσία
the giving of the law
G3548
νομοθεσία
the giving of the law
Strong's:
G3548
Word #:
15 of 21
legislation (specially, the institution of the mosaic code)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
16 of 21
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἡ
G3588
ἡ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
17 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
19 of 21
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Cross References
Ephesians 2:12That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:Psalms 147:19He sheweth his word unto Jacob, his statutes and his judgments unto Israel.Romans 9:6Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel:Genesis 17:2And I will make my covenant between me and thee, and will multiply thee exceedingly.Acts 2:39For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.Exodus 4:22And thou shalt say unto Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD, Israel is my son, even my firstborn:Deuteronomy 7:6For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth.Hebrews 9:1Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary.Psalms 89:3I have made a covenant with my chosen, I have sworn unto David my servant,1 Kings 8:11So that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of the LORD.
Historical Context
These eight privileges summarize Israel's unique status among nations. No other people received divine adoption, glory-cloud, multiple covenants, law from God's own voice, prescribed worship, and messianic promises. Yet privilege magnifies responsibility—'to whom much is given, much required' (Luke 12:48).
Questions for Reflection
- How do Israel's covenant privileges foreshadow the greater privileges of the new covenant church?
- What spiritual privileges do you possess that you may take for granted?
- Why doesn't external religious advantage guarantee internal spiritual reality?
Analysis & Commentary
Who are Israelites—Paul lists Israel's covenant privileges with emphatic relative pronoun hoitines (οἵτινες, 'who indeed are'). The adoption (hyiothesia, υἱοθεσία)—God called Israel 'my son, my firstborn' (Exodus 4:22). The glory (doxa, δόξα)—the Shekinah cloud manifesting God's presence. The covenants (plural: Abrahamic, Mosaic, Davidic). The giving of the law (nomothesia, νομοθεσία)—unique privilege of Sinai. The service of God (latreia, λατρεία)—temple worship. The promises (epaggellai, ἐπαγγελίαι)—messianic prophecies.
This catalogue underscores the tragedy: possessing every covenant advantage, Israel still rejected their Messiah. Privilege doesn't guarantee faith. External religion without regeneration profits nothing. This prepares for verse 6's thunderbolt: not all Israel is Israel.