God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel, saying,

ROMANS 11:2KJV
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Romans 11:2 (KJV)

What does Romans 11:2 mean?

Romans 11:2 says that God has not rejected or abandoned the Jewish people whom He knew beforehand. Paul reminds his readers of the story of Elijah, who pleaded with God against Israel, to show that even when things looked hopeless, God still had a plan for His people.

Paul is writing to the Christians in Rome, many of whom were Gentiles, explaining that God’s promises to Israel still stand. By mentioning Elijah, Paul points out that there have always been times when it seemed like Israel was forsaken, but God always kept a faithful group for Himself. The verse reassures readers that God’s relationship with Israel is not over, even if many have not believed in Jesus.

The Greek behind Romans 11:2

  • προέγνω (proegnō, “foreknew”): This word means to know beforehand or to choose in advance. Paul uses it to stress that God’s relationship with Israel was intentional and based on His prior knowledge and purpose, not a passing decision.
  • ἐντυγχάνει (entygchanei, “maketh intercession”): This word means to plead or appeal, often on someone’s behalf. Here, Elijah is pictured as pleading with God against Israel, which highlights the seriousness of Israel’s situation in Elijah’s time and sets up Paul’s point about God’s faithfulness.

Why Romans 11:2 matters

  • Romans 11:2 clears up the idea that God has permanently rejected the Jewish people; Paul insists that God’s promises and plans for Israel remain.
  • The verse connects Paul’s argument to a well-known Old Testament story, showing that God’s faithfulness is consistent throughout history, even when His people fail.
  • By referencing Elijah’s intercession, Paul prepares the reader to understand that a faithful remnant has always existed, and God’s work with Israel continues in ways that may not be obvious.

Where else these words appear

“foreknew” Greek G4267 · used in 5 verses

  • Acts 26:5 Which knew me from the beginning, if they would testify, that after the most straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.
  • Romans 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
  • 1 Peter 1:20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,

“intercession” Greek G1793 · used in 5 verses

  • Acts 25:24 And Festus said, King Agrippa, and all men which are here present with us, ye see this man, about whom all the multitude of the Jews have dealt with me, both at Jerusalem, and also here, crying that he ought not to live any longer.
  • Romans 8:27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
  • Romans 8:34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

“hath” Greek G683 · used in 6 verses

  • Acts 7:27 But he that did his neighbour wrong thrust him away, saying, Who made thee a ruler and a judge over us?
  • Acts 7:39 To whom our fathers would not obey, but thrust him from them, and in their hearts turned back again into Egypt,
  • Romans 11:1 I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.

“Elias” Greek G2243 · used in 30 verses

  • Matthew 11:14 And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come.
  • Mark 6:15 Others said, That it is Elias. And others said, That it is a prophet, or as one of the prophets.
  • Luke 4:25 But I tell you of a truth, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elias, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, when great famine was throughout all the land;