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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Romans 9:7 Nor because they are Abraham's descendants are they all his children. On the contrary, "Through Isaac your offspring will be reckoned."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/romans/9-7.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/12/45_Rom_09_07.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Romans 9:7 - God's Sovereign Choice" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Nor because they are Abraham's descendants are they all his children. On the contrary, Through Isaac your offspring will be reckoned." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script> <script src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/biblehub.js' type='text/javascript'></script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/romans/9-7.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/romans/9-7.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/romans/">Romans</a> > <a href="/romans/9.htm">Chapter 9</a> > Verse 7</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad1.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/romans/9-6.htm" title="Romans 9:6">◄</a> Romans 9:7 <a href="/romans/9-8.htm" title="Romans 9:8">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Study Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Crossref </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comment </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/romans/9.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/romans/9.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Nor because they are his descendants are they all Abraham&#8217s children. On the contrary, &#8220It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/romans/9.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Being descendants of Abraham doesn’t make them truly Abraham’s children. For the Scriptures say, “Isaac is the son through whom your descendants will be counted,” though Abraham had other children, too.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/romans/9.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />and not all are children of Abraham because they are his offspring, but “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/romans/9.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Nor because they are Abraham’s descendants are they all his children. On the contrary, “Through Isaac your offspring will be reckoned.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/romans/9.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />Nor because they are seed of Abraham <i>are</i> all children. Rather, "In Isaac your offspring will be named."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/romans/9.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, <i>are they</i> all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/romans/9.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />nor <i>are they</i> all children because they are the seed of Abraham; but, “In Isaac your seed shall be called.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/romans/9.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />nor are they all children because they are Abraham’s descendants, but: “THROUGH ISAAC YOUR DESCENDANTS SHALL BE NAMED.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/romans/9.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />nor are they all children because they are Abraham&#8217s descendants, but: &#8220THROUGH ISAAC YOUR DESCENDANTS WILL BE NAMED.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/romans/9.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />neither are they all children because they are Abraham’s descendants, but: “THROUGH ISAAC YOUR DESCENDANTS WILL BE NAMED.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/romans/9.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />nor are they all children because they are Abraham’s seed, but: “THROUGH ISAAC YOUR SEED WILL BE NAMED.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/romans/9.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />and they are not all the children of Abraham because they are his descendants [by blood], but [the promise was]: “YOUR DESCENDANTS WILL BE NAMED THROUGH ISAAC” [though Abraham had other sons].<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/romans/9.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Neither is it the case that all of Abraham’s children are his descendants. On the contrary, your offspring will be traced through Isaac.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/romans/9.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Neither are they all children because they are Abraham&#8217s descendants. On the contrary, your offspring will be traced through Isaac.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/romans/9.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />neither, because they are Abraham's seed, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/romans/9.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />neither, because they are Abraham's seed, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/romans/9.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />or a descendant of Abraham. However, [as Scripture says,] "Through Isaac your descendants will carry on your name."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/romans/9.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Nor are all of Abraham's descendants the children of God. God said to Abraham, "It is through Isaac that you will have the descendants I promised you." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/romans/9.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />and not all of Abraham's descendants are his true descendants. On the contrary, "It is through Isaac that descendants will be named for you."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/romans/9.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Nor because they are Abraham’s descendants are they all his children. On the contrary, “Through Isaac your offspring will be reckoned.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/romans/9.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />nor are all the children Abraham's true descendants; rather "through Isaac will your descendants be counted."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/romans/9.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Neither, because they are Abraham's descendants, are they all children. But, "In Isaac will your descendants be called."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/romans/9.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Neither because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/romans/9.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />nor because they are Abraham's true children. But the promise was "Through Isaac shall your posterity be reckoned."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/romans/9.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Neither, because they are Abraham’s offspring, are they all children. But, “your offspring will be accounted as from Isaac.” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/romans/9.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />nor because they are seed of Abraham [are] all children, but, “in Isaac will a seed be called to you”;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/romans/9.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />Nor because they are seed of Abraham <i>are</i> all children. Rather, "In Isaac your offspring will be named."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/romans/9.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> nor because they are seed of Abraham are all children, but -- 'in Isaac shall a seed be called to thee;'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/romans/9.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Neither that the seed of Abraham, are all children: but, In Isaac shall the seed be called to thee.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/romans/9.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Neither are all they that are the seed of Abraham, children; but in Isaac shall thy seed be called: <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/romans/9.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And not all sons are the offspring of Abraham: “For your offspring will be invoked in Isaac.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/romans/9.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />nor are they all children of Abraham because they are his descendants; but “It is through Isaac that descendants shall bear your name.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/romans/9.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />and not all of Abraham’s children are his true descendants; but “It is through Isaac that descendants shall be named for you.”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/romans/9.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Neither, because they are of the seed of Abraham are they all his children: for it was said, In Isaac shall your seed be called.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/romans/9.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />Neither because they are of his seed are they all children of Abraham, because it was said, “In Isaac your seed shall be called.”<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/romans/9.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />Nor, because they are the posterity of Abraham, are they all children: but in Isaac shall your posterity be called.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/romans/9.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br />neither are the children all the seed of Abraham; but in Isaac shall thy seed be called;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/romans/9.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />nor, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, in Isaac shall thy seed be called.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/romans/9.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />neither are they who are the race of Abraham, all children: but 'tis said, "in Isaac shall thy posterity be called."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/romans/9.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />nor because they are Abraham's true children. But the promise was "Through Isaac shall your posterity be reckoned."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/romans/9.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br />neither, because they are Abraham's seed, are they all children; but, "In Isaac shall your seed be called."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/romans/9.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br />Nor because they are the seed of Abraham, <i>are they</i> all children <i>of promise:</i> but "in Isaac shall thy seed be called."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/romans/9-7.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KIZs4GUMn-g?start=2232" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/romans/9.htm">God's Sovereign Choice</a></span><br><span class="reftext">6</span>It is not as though God’s word has failed. For not all who are descended from Israel are Israel. <span class="reftext">7</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/3761.htm" title="3761: oud’ (Conj) -- Neither, nor, not even, and not. From ou and de; not however, i.e. Neither, nor, not even.">Nor</a> <a href="/greek/3754.htm" title="3754: hoti (Conj) -- Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.">because</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: eisin (V-PIA-3P) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">they are</a> <a href="/greek/11.htm" title="11: Abraam (N-GMS) -- Abraham, progenitor of the Hebrew race. Of Hebrew origin; Abraham, the Hebrew patriarch.">Abraham’s</a> <a href="/greek/4690.htm" title="4690: sperma (N-NNS) -- From speiro; something sown, i.e. Seed; by implication, offspring; specially, a remnant.">descendants</a> <a href="/greek/3956.htm" title="3956: pantes (Adj-NMP) -- All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.">are they all</a> <a href="/greek/5043.htm" title="5043: tekna (N-NNP) -- A child, descendent, inhabitant. From the base of timoria; a child.">his children.</a> <a href="/greek/235.htm" title="235: all’ (Conj) -- But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise.">On the contrary,</a> <a href="/greek/1722.htm" title="1722: En (Prep) -- In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; in, at, on, by, etc.">“Through</a> <a href="/greek/2464.htm" title="2464: Isaak (N-DMS) -- (Hebrew), Isaac, the patriarch. Of Hebrew origin; Isaac, the son of Abraham.">Isaac</a> <a href="/greek/4771.htm" title="4771: soi (PPro-D2S) -- You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.">your</a> <a href="/greek/4690.htm" title="4690: sperma (N-NNS) -- From speiro; something sown, i.e. Seed; by implication, offspring; specially, a remnant.">offspring</a> <a href="/greek/2564.htm" title="2564: klēthēsetai (V-FIP-3S) -- (a) I call, summon, invite, (b) I call, name. Akin to the base of keleuo; to call.">will be reckoned.”</a> </span> <span class="reftext">8</span>So it is not the children of the flesh who are God’s children, but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as offspring.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/21-12.htm">Genesis 21:12</a></span><br />But God said to Abraham, “Do not be distressed about the boy and your maidservant. Listen to everything that Sarah tells you, for through Isaac your offspring will be reckoned.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/11-18.htm">Hebrews 11:18</a></span><br />even though God had said to him, “Through Isaac your offspring will be reckoned.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/4-28.htm">Galatians 4:28</a></span><br />Now you, brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/17-19.htm">Genesis 17:19</a></span><br />But God replied, “Your wife Sarah will indeed bear you a son, and you are to name him Isaac. I will establish My covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his descendants after him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/8-39.htm">John 8:39</a></span><br />“Abraham is our father,” they replied. “If you were children of Abraham,” said Jesus, “you would do the works of Abraham.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/3-9.htm">Matthew 3:9</a></span><br />And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/3-8.htm">Luke 3:8</a></span><br />Produce fruit, then, in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/3-29.htm">Galatians 3:29</a></span><br />And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/18-10.htm">Genesis 18:10</a></span><br />Then the LORD said, “I will surely return to you at this time next year, and your wife Sarah will have a son!” Now Sarah was behind him, listening at the entrance to the tent.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/18-14.htm">Genesis 18:14</a></span><br />Is anything too difficult for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you—in about a year—and Sarah will have a son.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/25-23.htm">Genesis 25:23</a></span><br />and He declared to her: “Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you will be separated; one people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/28-14.htm">Genesis 28:14</a></span><br />Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and east and north and south. All the families of the earth will be blessed through you and your offspring.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/35-12.htm">Genesis 35:12</a></span><br />The land that I gave to Abraham and Isaac I will give to you, and I will give this land to your descendants after you.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/48-16.htm">Genesis 48:16</a></span><br />the angel who has redeemed me from all harm—may He bless these boys. And may they be called by my name and the names of my fathers Abraham and Isaac, and may they grow into a multitude upon the earth.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/49-10.htm">Genesis 49:10</a></span><br />The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the staff from between his feet, until Shiloh comes and the allegiance of the nations is his.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall your seed be called.</p><p class="hdg">because.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/luke/3-8.htm">Luke 3:8</a></b></br> Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to <i>our</i> father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/luke/16-24.htm">Luke 16:24,25,30</a></b></br> And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/john/8-37.htm">John 8:37-39</a></b></br> I know that ye are Abraham's seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you… </p><p class="hdg">In Isaac.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/21-12.htm">Genesis 21:12</a></b></br> And God said unto Abraham, Let it not be grievous in thy sight because of the lad, and because of thy bondwoman; in all that Sarah hath said unto thee, hearken unto her voice; for in Isaac shall thy seed be called.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/hebrews/11-18.htm">Hebrews 11:18</a></b></br> Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called:</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/romans/4-18.htm">Abraham</a> <a href="/romans/4-17.htm">Abraham's</a> <a href="/romans/8-21.htm">Children</a> <a href="/romans/7-7.htm">Contrary</a> <a href="/romans/9-6.htm">Descendants</a> <a href="/acts/7-32.htm">Isaac</a> <a href="/romans/4-16.htm">Offspring</a> <a href="/romans/4-18.htm">Posterity</a> <a href="/romans/4-21.htm">Promise</a> <a href="/romans/8-36.htm">Reckoned</a> <a href="/romans/4-18.htm">Seed</a> <a href="/romans/9-1.htm">True.</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/romans/11-1.htm">Abraham</a> <a href="/romans/9-8.htm">Abraham's</a> <a href="/romans/9-8.htm">Children</a> <a href="/romans/9-20.htm">Contrary</a> <a href="/romans/9-8.htm">Descendants</a> <a href="/romans/9-10.htm">Isaac</a> <a href="/romans/9-8.htm">Offspring</a> <a href="/romans/9-8.htm">Posterity</a> <a href="/romans/9-8.htm">Promise</a> <a href="/romans/9-8.htm">Reckoned</a> <a href="/romans/9-8.htm">Seed</a> <a href="/romans/11-20.htm">True.</a><div class="vheading2">Romans 9</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/romans/9-1.htm">Paul is sorry for the Jews.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/romans/9-7.htm">All of Abraham not of the promise.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">18. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/romans/9-18.htm">God's sovereignty.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">25. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/romans/9-25.htm">The calling of the Gentiles and rejecting of the Jews, foretold.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">32. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/romans/9-32.htm">The cause of their stumbling.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <script type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script><br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading"><a href="/study/romans/9.htm">Berean Study Bible</a></div><b>Nor because they are Abraham’s descendants</b><br />This phrase emphasizes the distinction between physical lineage and spiritual inheritance. The Greek word for "descendants" is "σπέρμα" (sperma), which literally means "seed." In the Jewish context, being a descendant of Abraham was a source of pride and identity, as Abraham was the patriarch of the Israelites. However, Paul is making a theological point that mere physical descent from Abraham does not guarantee the promises of God. This challenges the prevailing Jewish thought of the time, which equated physical descent with divine favor.<p><b>are they all his children</b><br />The term "children" here is "τέκνα" (tekna) in Greek, which refers to offspring or children. Paul is drawing a distinction between being a biological descendant and being a true child of Abraham in the spiritual sense. This echoes the broader biblical theme that true kinship with Abraham is based on faith, not just bloodline. This concept is rooted in the Old Testament, where God often chose individuals based on faith and obedience rather than lineage alone.<p><b>On the contrary</b><br />This phrase introduces a contrast to the previous statement. Paul is using a rhetorical device to emphasize that the true children of Abraham are not determined by physical descent. The Greek phrase "ἀλλ’" (alla) is a strong adversative, indicating a significant shift in thought. This sets the stage for the introduction of the scriptural basis for Paul's argument.<p><b>Through Isaac your offspring will be reckoned</b><br />This quotation is from <a href="/genesis/21-12.htm">Genesis 21:12</a>, where God tells Abraham that his covenant will be established through Isaac, not Ishmael. The Greek word for "reckoned" is "κληθήσεται" (klethēsetai), meaning "called" or "considered." This highlights the idea that God's promises are fulfilled through specific divine choices rather than human expectations. Isaac represents the line of promise, chosen by God, which is a foreshadowing of the New Testament teaching that true children of God are those who are born of the Spirit, not just of the flesh. This underscores the theme of divine election and the sovereignty of God in salvation history.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/romans/9.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(7) Neither are all the bodily descendants of Abraham also his spiritual descendants. It was expressly stated from the first that the promise was confined to a particular branch of his posterity. The posterity of Abraham, strictly so called, was to be that derived through Isaac. This is very nearly the sense of the original, "In Isaac shall thy seed be called," <span class= "ital">i.e.,</span> in "Isaac shalt thou have posterity, which shall be called thy posterity"--"true and legitimate descendants," thus excluding the seed of Hagar.<p><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/romans/9-7.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">Nor</span><br /><span class="grk">οὐδ’</span> <span class="translit">(oud’)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3761.htm">Strong's 3761: </a> </span><span class="str2">Neither, nor, not even, and not. From ou and de; not however, i.e. Neither, nor, not even.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">because</span><br /><span class="grk">ὅτι</span> <span class="translit">(hoti)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3754.htm">Strong's 3754: </a> </span><span class="str2">Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">they are</span><br /><span class="grk">εἰσὶν</span> <span class="translit">(eisin)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1510.htm">Strong's 1510: </a> </span><span class="str2">I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Abraham’s</span><br /><span class="grk">Ἀβραάμ</span> <span class="translit">(Abraam)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_11.htm">Strong's 11: </a> </span><span class="str2">Abraham, progenitor of the Hebrew race. Of Hebrew origin; Abraham, the Hebrew patriarch.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">descendants</span><br /><span class="grk">σπέρμα</span> <span class="translit">(sperma)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Nominative Neuter Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4690.htm">Strong's 4690: </a> </span><span class="str2">From speiro; something sown, i.e. Seed; by implication, offspring; specially, a remnant.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[are] they all</span><br /><span class="grk">πάντες</span> <span class="translit">(pantes)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3956.htm">Strong's 3956: </a> </span><span class="str2">All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[his] children.</span><br /><span class="grk">τέκνα</span> <span class="translit">(tekna)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Nominative Neuter Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_5043.htm">Strong's 5043: </a> </span><span class="str2">A child, descendent, inhabitant. From the base of timoria; a child.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">On the contrary,</span><br /><span class="grk">ἀλλ’</span> <span class="translit">(all’)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_235.htm">Strong's 235: </a> </span><span class="str2">But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“Through</span><br /><span class="grk">Ἐν</span> <span class="translit">(En)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1722.htm">Strong's 1722: </a> </span><span class="str2">In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Isaac</span><br /><span class="grk">Ἰσαὰκ</span> <span class="translit">(Isaak)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Dative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2464.htm">Strong's 2464: </a> </span><span class="str2">(Hebrew), Isaac, the patriarch. Of Hebrew origin; Isaac, the son of Abraham.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">your</span><br /><span class="grk">σοι</span> <span class="translit">(soi)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4771.htm">Strong's 4771: </a> </span><span class="str2">You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">offspring</span><br /><span class="grk">σπέρμα</span> <span class="translit">(sperma)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Nominative Neuter Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4690.htm">Strong's 4690: </a> </span><span class="str2">From speiro; something sown, i.e. Seed; by implication, offspring; specially, a remnant.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">will be reckoned.”</span><br /><span class="grk">κληθήσεταί</span> <span class="translit">(klēthēsetai)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Future Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2564.htm">Strong's 2564: </a> </span><span class="str2">(a) I call, summon, invite, (b) I call, name. Akin to the base of keleuo; to 'call'.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/romans/9-7.htm">Romans 9:7 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/romans/9-7.htm">Romans 9:7 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/romans/9-7.htm">Romans 9:7 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/romans/9-7.htm">Romans 9:7 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/romans/9-7.htm">Romans 9:7 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/romans/9-7.htm">Romans 9:7 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/romans/9-7.htm">Romans 9:7 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/romans/9-7.htm">Romans 9:7 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/romans/9-7.htm">Romans 9:7 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/romans/9-7.htm">Romans 9:7 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/romans/9-7.htm">NT Letters: Romans 9:7 Neither because they are Abraham's seed (Rom. Ro) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/romans/9-6.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Romans 9:6"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Romans 9:6" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/romans/9-8.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Romans 9:8"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Romans 9:8" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>