Romans 11:7
What does Romans 11:7 mean?
A plain-English look at Romans 11:7 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Romans 11:7 means
Paul asks what conclusion to draw. Israel as a whole did not attain the righteousness it sought, but the elect within Israel did. The rest were hardened—a sobering reality of judicial blindness. This does not mean God is unjust; earlier chapters showed Israel seeking by law what could only come by faith. Those God chose to save grasped the promise, while others, persisting in unbelief, became insensible to the gospel. The verse distinguishes between national privilege and spiritual attainment: not all who are Israel according to the flesh are Israel according to faith. It prepares for scripture citations that explain this hardening as foretold.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000What then? That which Israel seeketh for, that he obtained not; but the election obtained it, and the rest were hardened:
KJV
King James Version · 1611What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901What then? That which Israel seeketh for, that he obtained not; but the election obtained it, and the rest were hardened:
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949What then? That which Israel was searching for he did not get, but those of the selection got it and the rest were made hard.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862What then? What Israel doth seek after, this it did not obtain, and the chosen did obtain, and the rest were hardened,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752What then? That which Israel sought, he hath not obtained: but the election hath obtained it. And the rest have been blinded.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890What [is it] then? What Israel seeks for, that he has not obtained; but the election has obtained, and the rest have been blinded,
Context
After establishing grace as the decisive factor, Paul explains the mixed outcome within Israel: some believe, many do not. Verse 7 states the fact succinctly, then verses 8–10 buttress it with Old Testament texts showing that such hardening was anticipated. This keeps Paul’s teaching anchored in Scripture and shows that the present situation, while tragic, fits within God’s revealed dealings with His people.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Romans 9:31
but Israel, following after a law of righteousness, did not arrive at that law.
- Ephesians 1:4
even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blemish before him in love:
- Philippians 1:18
What then? only that in every way, whether in pretence or in truth, Christ is proclaimed; and therein I rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.
- 2 Thessalonians 2:10
and with all deceit of unrighteousness for them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
- Romans 11:25
For I would not, brethren, have you ignorant of this mystery, lest ye be wise in your own conceits, that a hardening in part hath befallen Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in;
- Romans 9:18
So then he hath mercy on whom he will, and whom he will he hardeneth.
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