Romans 9 13

Romans 9:13 kjv

As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.

Romans 9:13 nkjv

As it is written, "Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have hated."

Romans 9:13 niv

Just as it is written: "Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated."

Romans 9:13 esv

As it is written, "Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated."

Romans 9:13 nlt

In the words of the Scriptures, "I loved Jacob, but I rejected Esau."

Romans 9 verses

Romans 9 13 Meaning

Romans 9:13, quoting Malachi 1:2-3, asserts God's sovereign and unconditional choice in election: "As it is written, 'Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.'" This declaration signifies that God chose Jacob for covenant blessing and purposes, and conversely withheld that unique favor from Esau, representing a national preference and predetermined destiny, independent of their birthright, actions, or merits. The "hate" here denotes disfavor or less love, not personal malice, signifying rejection from covenant privilege rather than condemnation to individual damnation.

Romans 9 13 Context

Romans chapter 9 forms part of Paul's profound theological discourse on God's righteousness and faithfulness, especially in light of Israel's widespread rejection of Jesus as Messiah. Paul grapples with the difficult question: Has God failed His promises to Israel? Romans 9:13 specifically builds on the preceding verses (9:6-12), where Paul establishes that not all descendants of Israel are truly "Israel," meaning physical lineage does not guarantee spiritual privilege. He illustrates this point through historical examples: God chose Isaac over Ishmael, and then Jacob over Esau, even though both sets were Abraham's offspring and from Isaac, respectively.

The historical-cultural context for the original Jewish audience included a strong reliance on their Abrahamic lineage for their standing with God. Paul directly challenges this ethnocentric assumption, demonstrating from their own sacred texts (Malachi) that God's selection is a matter of His sovereign, unconstrained will, determined before birth or human merit. The verse directly contrasts this divine prerogative against the common cultural expectation of birthright, where the older (Esau) would naturally inherit superiority. This forms a direct polemic against any belief system that ties God's favor to human merit, lineage, or performance, instead firmly rooting it in divine choice.

Romans 9 13 Word analysis

• As it is written (καθὼς γέγραπται, kathōs gegraptai): This standard Pauline introduction signifies a direct quotation from the Old Testament, imbuing the statement with divine authority and unshakeable truth for the Jewish and Gentile readers alike. It underscores that Paul is not presenting a new idea, but articulating a truth already established in Scripture.
• Jacob (Ἰακὼβ, Iakōb): Refers both to the individual patriarch and, more importantly in this context, the nation that descended from him—Israel. God's "love" for Jacob here means choosing him and his descendants to be the recipients of the covenant, the vehicle for His redemptive plan for humanity, and the bearers of the divine promises (Gen 12:3).
• I loved (ἠγάπησα, ēgapēsa from ἀγαπάω, agapaō): Denotes God's sovereign, deliberate, and covenantal choice of Jacob. This love is not merely emotional affection but a purposeful, elective love that grants special privilege, favor, and a role in God's divine plan. It signifies a distinction, a setting apart for a unique relationship.
• but Esau (τὸν δὲ Ἠσαῦ, ton de Hēsau): Refers to Jacob's twin brother and, by extension, the nation that descended from him—Edom (Gen 36:8). This phrasing immediately sets up a stark contrast to Jacob, emphasizing God's selective action between two biologically related individuals and nations.
• I hated (ἐμίσησα, emisēsa from μισέω, miseō): This term is crucial. In Semitic idiom and biblical usage, "to hate" often expresses comparative love or preference. It means "to love less," "to show less favor to," "to reject for a particular purpose," or "to set aside." It is not typically personal, emotional malice in God. Instead, for Esau, it means he and his descendants (Edom) were not chosen for the specific covenant purpose, were excluded from the line of divine blessing and promise through which the Messiah would come, and would eventually face judgment for their antagonism against Israel (Mal 1:3-5, Obadiah).

Words-group analysis

• "Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated": This entire phrase serves as a foundational declaration of divine sovereignty. It demonstrates God's right to distinguish between individuals and nations purely based on His own will, before they have done anything good or bad (Rom 9:11). The core emphasis is on election not by human merit or potential, but by God's free choice for His own purposes, leading to differing destinies and roles in salvation history for these two nations. It underscores that salvation history is a result of God's initiative and selective grace.

Romans 9 13 Bonus section

• National vs. Individual Election: While the examples are individuals (Jacob and Esau), Paul primarily uses them to illustrate the election of nations or corporate groups. "Jacob" represents Israel, "Esau" represents Edom. This is a divine choice for specific roles in salvation history and national destiny, rather than necessarily the eternal individual salvation or damnation of every single member of those groups.
• Meaning of 'Hate' in Divine Context: Understanding "hate" as relative preference or disfavor prevents misconstruing God as capricious or malicious. It is anthropomorphic language (ascribing human traits to God) that clarifies His elective purpose. The New Testament similarly uses "hate" to mean "love less" or "give lower priority to" (e.g., in Luke 14:26).
• Reversal of Natural Order: In the ancient world, the elder usually held superior status. God's choice of the younger, Jacob, over the elder, Esau, highlights His freedom to defy human conventions and operate solely by His own sovereign design, reinforcing that His election is not based on human expectations or laws of inheritance.
• Purpose of God's Choice: God's love for Jacob meant bringing salvation to the world through his descendants. God's 'hatred' of Esau meant withholding this specific role from the nation of Edom. It establishes a necessary boundary for God's covenant purposes without necessarily precluding any individual Edomite from seeking God.

Romans 9 13 Commentary

Romans 9:13, a direct quotation from Malachi 1:2-3, stands as a pillar for understanding divine sovereignty in election. It teaches that God's choice is not conditioned upon human effort, lineage, or foreseen merit, but originates purely from His gracious will. "Jacob I loved" signifies God's deliberate, covenantal favor upon Jacob and the nation of Israel for His redemptive plan, establishing them as the chosen people through whom Messiah would come. Conversely, "Esau I hated" should be understood idiomatically as loving less, preferring not to, or electing to pass over Esau (and the nation of Edom) for this specific covenantal and salvific purpose. It's a statement of national, rather than necessarily individual, destiny in the covenant line, highlighting God's freedom to choose. This verse is vital for Paul's argument: God's word has not failed, because His promises are always actualized through a chosen people, determined by His sovereign call, not by human claims.