Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved:

ROMANS 9:27KJV
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Romans 9:27 (KJV)

What does Romans 9:27 mean?

Romans 9:27 says that even though the people of Israel are as numerous as the sand by the sea, only a small group—a remnant—will be saved. This highlights that not everyone from Israel will experience salvation, but only a portion, according to God’s plan.

Paul is quoting the prophet Isaiah (called "Esaias" in the King James Version) to make his point about Israel’s future. Paul is writing to believers in Rome, explaining that God’s promises to Israel do not mean every descendant will be saved, but rather that God has always worked through a faithful remnant. This verse fits into Paul’s larger discussion about God’s freedom to choose whom He saves.

The Greek behind Romans 9:27

  • ὑπὲρ (hyper, "concerning"): This word shows that Isaiah’s message is specifically about Israel, not just a general statement, making the focus clear.
  • ὑπόλειμμα (hypoleimma, "remnant"): This word means a small remaining group, emphasizing that only a portion of Israel will be saved, not the whole nation.
  • σωθήσεται (sōthēsetai, "shall be saved"): The Greek verb here is future passive, stressing that salvation is something that will happen to this remnant, not something they achieve themselves.

Why Romans 9:27 matters

  • Romans 9:27 corrects the idea that all physical descendants of Israel are automatically included in God’s promises; it shows that God’s plan has always involved a smaller, faithful group.
  • This verse connects Paul’s teaching to the Old Testament, showing that the idea of a remnant is not new but rooted in the Hebrew prophets.
  • Romans 9:27 helps explain why, in Paul’s time, many Israelites were not following Jesus, while some Gentiles were—God’s promises are fulfilled through a chosen remnant, not by sheer numbers.

Where else these words appear

“sand” Greek G285 · used in 5 verses

  • Matthew 7:26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:
  • Hebrews 11:12 Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable.
  • Revelation 13:1 And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.

“number” Greek G706 · used in 15 verses

  • Luke 22:3 Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve.
  • Acts 6:7 And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.
  • Revelation 9:16 And the number of the army of the horsemen were two hundred thousand thousand: and I heard the number of them.

“Esaias” Greek G2268 · used in 21 verses

  • Matthew 3:3 For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
  • Mark 7:6 He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.
  • Acts 8:28 Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet.

“crieth” Greek G2896 · used in 58 verses

  • Matthew 8:29 And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time?
  • Mark 11:9 And they that went before, and they that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna; Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord:
  • Acts 19:32 Some therefore cried one thing, and some another: for the assembly was confused; and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together.