Romans 9:13
What does Romans 9:13 mean?
A plain-English look at Romans 9:13 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Romans 9:13 means
“Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated” sums up, in covenantal terms, God’s discriminating choice. It does not speak of petty emotion but of divine commitment to one line and rejection of the other in His redemptive plan. The language is stark to underscore God’s freedom to set His affection and to pass over. Paul uses this citation to seal the point that God’s election is not grounded in human performance. It directs readers to see the history of Israel as shaped by grace and purpose, not entitlement. This framing prepares for the charge of injustice that Paul will immediately address.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Even as it is written, Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.
KJV
King James Version · 1611As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Even as it is written, Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Even as it is said, I had love for Jacob, but for Esau I had hate.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862according as it hath been written, `Jacob I did love, and Esau I did hate.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752As it is written: Jacob I have loved: but Esau I have hated.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890according as it is written, I have loved Jacob, and I have hated Esau.
Context
With verse 13, Paul completes the Jacob-Esau example by quoting Scripture’s stark summary of God’s valuation. This intensifies the sense of divine freedom and pushes a natural objection to the forefront: is God unjust? That objection is addressed in verses 14–18, where Paul asserts God’s right to have mercy and to harden. The narrative thus shifts from demonstrating election in Israel’s story to defending God’s righteousness in exercising such sovereign choice.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Malachi 1:2
I have loved you, saith Jehovah. Yet ye say, Wherein hast thou loved us? Was not Esau Jacob’s brother? saith Jehovah: yet I loved Jacob;
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