Romans 9 12

Romans 9:12 kjv

It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger.

Romans 9:12 nkjv

it was said to her, "The older shall serve the younger."

Romans 9:12 niv

not by works but by him who calls?she was told, "The older will serve the younger."

Romans 9:12 esv

she was told, "The older will serve the younger."

Romans 9:12 nlt

he calls people, but not according to their good or bad works.) She was told, "Your older son will serve your younger son."

Romans 9 verses

Romans 9 12 Meaning

Romans 9:12 explains that even before Jacob and Esau were born and had done anything good or bad, a divine prophecy declared that "The older will serve the younger." This statement highlights God's sovereign choice, a choice not based on human actions or merits but solely on His purpose, ensuring that His elective will precedes any human effort. It specifically foreshadowed the relationship and destiny of the nations that would descend from these two brothers.

Romans 9 12 Context

Romans chapter 9 begins with Paul expressing profound sorrow over the spiritual condition of his Jewish kinsmen, who largely rejected Jesus as the Messiah. To defend God's faithfulness despite Israel's unbelief, Paul explains that God's promises are not for all physical descendants of Abraham, but only for those chosen by His sovereign will. He uses several Old Testament examples to illustrate this principle. Verses 10-13 specifically introduce Jacob and Esau, twins conceived by the same parents, to emphasize that God's election is not based on birth order or human merit, but entirely on His independent choice. This sets the stage for Paul to assert God's absolute freedom and justice in dispensing salvation, laying the groundwork for the inclusion of Gentiles alongside believing Jews.

Historically, Jewish tradition heavily valued primogeniture, where the firstborn son received the birthright and the primary blessing. Paul's reference to Jacob and Esau directly challenges this ingrained cultural expectation, demonstrating that God's method of selecting His chosen ones often defies human conventions and natural succession.

Romans 9 12 Word analysis

• it was said to her: Refers to God's direct pronouncement to Rebekah (Gen 25:23) before the twins' birth. This highlights the divine initiative and predestined nature of the event.
• The older (ὁ μείζων - ho meizōn): Meizōn is a comparative adjective derived from megas ("great"). Here, it means "the greater" or, in the context of age, "the older." This refers to Esau, who was born first. Paul's choice to use "older" directly contrasts with "younger" to highlight the reversal of natural birth order and human expectation concerning privilege.
• will serve (δουλεύσει - douleusei): This is the future active indicative form of the verb douleuō, meaning "to be a slave," "to serve," or "to be in subjection." In this specific prophetic context, as confirmed by later biblical texts (e.g., Mal 1:2-3, 2 Sam 8:14), it does not imply personal slavery but rather a national subservience or superiority. It signifies that the descendants of Esau (Edom) would be subject to the descendants of Jacob (Israel).
• the younger (τῷ ἐλάσσονι - tō elassoni): Elassoni is a comparative adjective derived from mikros ("small" or "little"). Here, it means "the lesser" or "the younger." This refers to Jacob, the second-born twin. This emphasizes the divine subversion of the primogeniture principle, where the conventionally "lesser" would be elevated.
• "The older will serve the younger" (Ὁ μείζων δουλεύσει τῷ ἐλάσσονι): This is a direct quotation from Genesis 25:23. Its significance lies in being a divine pronouncement made before the children's birth or any deeds they might have done. This serves as powerful evidence for Paul's argument that God's election is an act of sovereign grace, rooted in His purpose, not in human works or worthiness. It’s not about their individual worthiness for salvation but about their role in God's national/covenantal plan.

Romans 9 12 Bonus section

• The passage highlights the contrast between Jacob and Esau even before they performed any actions, setting the stage for the crucial theological point in Romans 9:11: God's election is "not by works but by him who calls."
• While this prophecy applies to the national relationship between Israel and Edom, Paul uses it here to demonstrate God's pattern of election – that divine choice, not human merit, is the basis of belonging to the covenant community.
• The example of Jacob and Esau, particularly their identical parentage (Isaac and Rebekah) and concurrent conception, strongly emphasizes that no human variable (other than God's direct intervention) could account for their differing destinies, thereby ruling out any basis in genetics or upbringing up to that point.

Romans 9 12 Commentary

Romans 9:12 is a foundational verse for understanding God's sovereign election. Paul quotes Genesis 25:23 to demonstrate that God's choice is entirely independent of human action or merit. The prophecy given to Rebekah, specifically declaring "The older will serve the younger," reveals that God's plan was fixed before Jacob and Esau could even distinguish themselves. This completely negates any argument for a system based on human works, primogeniture, or perceived worthiness. The "service" mentioned refers to the national destinies of their descendants (Edom and Israel), showing that God's purposes extend beyond individuals to shape the course of nations according to His divine will. It illustrates that God is free to choose whomever He desires, challenging the Jewish belief that national covenant privileges were automatic based on physical descent from Abraham. This divine, unconditional choice underscores God's absolute freedom and prepares for Paul's subsequent discussion of His mercy and justice.