New International Versionnot by works but by him who calls—she was told, “The older will serve the younger.”
New Living Translationhe calls people, but not according to their good or bad works.) She was told, “Your older son will serve your younger son.”
English Standard Versionshe was told, “The older will serve the younger.”
Berean Standard Biblenot by works but by Him who calls, she was told, “The older will serve the younger.”
Berean Literal Biblenot of works, but of the One calling, it was said to her, "The older will serve the younger."
King James BibleIt was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger.
New King James Versionit was said to her, “The older shall serve the younger.”
New American Standard Bibleit was said to her, “THE OLDER WILL SERVE THE YOUNGER.”
NASB 1995it was said to her, “THE OLDER WILL SERVE THE YOUNGER.”
NASB 1977it was said to her, “THE OLDER WILL SERVE THE YOUNGER.”
Legacy Standard Bibleit was said to her, “THE OLDER SHALL SERVE THE YOUNGER.”
Amplified Bibleit was said to her, “THE OLDER (Esau) WILL SERVE THE YOUNGER (Jacob).”
Christian Standard Biblenot from works but from the one who calls—she was told, The older will serve the younger.
Holman Christian Standard Biblenot from works but from the One who calls—she was told: The older will serve the younger.
American Standard Versionit was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger.
English Revised Versionit was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger.
GOD'S WORD® Translationa choice based on God's call and not on anything people do.
International Standard Versionaccording to his calling and not by actions), Rebecca was told, "The older child will serve the younger one."
NET Bibleit was said to her, "The older will serve the younger,"
New Heart English Bibleit was said to her, "The elder will serve the younger."
Webster's Bible TranslationIt was said to her, The elder shall serve the younger.
Weymouth New Testament"The elder of them will be bondservant to the younger." Majority Text Translations Majority Standard Biblenot by works but by Him who calls, she was told, “The older will serve the younger.”
World English Bibleit was said to her, “The elder will serve the younger.” Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionit was said to her, “The greater will serve the less”;
Berean Literal Biblenot of works, but of the One calling, it was said to her, "The older will serve the younger."
Young's Literal Translation 'The greater shall serve the less;'
Smith's Literal TranslationIt was said to her, That the greater shall serve the less. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleNot of works, but of him that calleth, it was said to her: The elder shall serve the younger.
Catholic Public Domain Versionand not because of deeds, but because of a calling, it was said to her: “The elder shall serve the younger.”
New American Biblenot by works but by his call—she was told, “The older shall serve the younger.”
New Revised Standard Versionnot by works but by his call) she was told, “The elder shall serve the younger.” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleFor it was said, The elder shall be the servant of the younger.
Aramaic Bible in Plain EnglishFor it was said, “The elder shall be a Servant to the younger”, NT Translations Anderson New Testamentit was said to her: The elder shall serve the younger;
Godbey New Testamentand it was said to her, The elder shall serve the younger:
Haweis New Testamentit was said unto her, ?That the elder shall be servant to the younger.?
Mace New Testament
it was said to her, "the elder shall serve the younger."
Weymouth New Testament
"The elder of them will be bondservant to the younger."
Worrell New Testament
it was said to her, "The elder shall serve the younger."
Worsley New Testament
as it is written,
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context God's Sovereign Choice… 11Yet before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad, in order that God’s plan of election might stand, 12notbyworksbutbyHim whocalls,shewas told,“Theolderwill servetheyounger.”13So it is written: “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”…
Cross References Genesis 25:23and He declared to her: “Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you will be separated; one people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger.”
Malachi 1:2-3“I have loved you,” says the LORD. But you ask, “How have You loved us?” “Was not Esau Jacob’s brother?” declares the LORD. “Yet Jacob I have loved, / but Esau I have hated, and I have made his mountains a wasteland and left his inheritance to the desert jackals.”
Hebrews 11:20By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning the future.
Genesis 27:29May peoples serve you and nations bow down to you. May you be the master of your brothers, and may the sons of your mother bow down to you. May those who curse you be cursed, and those who bless you be blessed.”
Genesis 27:40You shall live by the sword and serve your brother. But when you rebel, you will tear his yoke from your neck.”
2 Samuel 8:14He placed garrisons throughout Edom, and all the Edomites were subject to David. So the LORD made David victorious wherever he went.
Obadiah 1:18Then the house of Jacob will be a blazing fire, and the house of Joseph a burning flame; but the house of Esau will be stubble—Jacob will set it ablaze and consume it. Therefore no survivor will remain from the house of Esau.” For the LORD has spoken.
Obadiah 1:10Because of the violence against your brother Jacob, you will be covered with shame and cut off forever.
Obadiah 1:21The deliverers will ascend Mount Zion to rule over the mountains of Esau. And the kingdom will belong to the LORD.
Isaiah 14:2The nations will escort Israel and bring it to its homeland. Then the house of Israel will possess the nations as menservants and maidservants in the LORD’s land. They will make captives of their captors and rule over their oppressors.
Isaiah 60:12For the nation or kingdom that will not serve you will perish; it will be utterly destroyed.
Matthew 20:16So the last will be first, and the first will be last.”
Matthew 19:30But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.
Luke 13:30And indeed, some who are last will be first, and some who are first will be last.”
1 Corinthians 1:27-29But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. / He chose the lowly and despised things of the world, and the things that are not, to nullify the things that are, / so that no one may boast in His presence.
Treasury of Scripture It was said to her, The elder shall serve the younger. The elder. Genesis 25:22,23
And the children struggled together within her; and she said, Ifit be so, whyam I thus? And she went to inquire of the LORD… 2 Samuel 8:14
And he put garrisons in Edom; throughout all Edom put he garrisons, and all they of Edom became David's servants. And the LORD preserved David whithersoever he went. 1 Kings 22:47
There was then no king in Edom: a deputywas king. younger. Jump to Previous BondservantCallsElderGreaterLessOlderServantServeWorksYoungerJump to Next BondservantCallsElderGreaterLessOlderServantServeWorksYoungerRomans 9 1.Paul is sorry for the Jews.7.All of Abraham not of the promise.18.God's sovereignty.25.The calling of the Gentiles and rejecting of the Jews, foretold.32.The cause of their stumbling.not by works but by Him who callsThis phrase emphasizes the doctrine of divine election, where God's choice is not based on human actions or merits but solely on His sovereign will. This aligns with Ephesians 2:8-9, which states that salvation is a gift from God, not a result of works. The concept of God calling individuals is seen throughout Scripture, such as in the calling of Abraham ( Genesis 12:1-3) and the apostles ( Mark 1:16-20). This underscores the idea that God's purposes are fulfilled according to His plan, not human effort. she was told
This refers to the revelation given to Rebekah, the mother of Esau and Jacob, as recorded inGenesis 25:23. It highlights the importance of divine revelation in understanding God's will and purposes. In the biblical narrative, God often communicates His plans through direct revelation, dreams, or prophets, as seen with figures like Moses (Exodus 3) and Samuel (1 Samuel 3). “The older will serve the younger.”
This prophecy given to Rebekah is significant because it reverses the cultural norm of primogeniture, where the firstborn typically receives the inheritance and blessing. In this case, Esau, the older, would serve Jacob, the younger. This reversal is a recurring theme in Scripture, seen in the stories of Isaac over Ishmael and Joseph over his brothers. It points to God's sovereignty in choosing whom He wills to fulfill His purposes, regardless of human expectations. This also foreshadows the coming of Christ, who, though not conforming to worldly expectations, fulfills God's redemptive plan. Persons / Places / Events 1. RebeccaThe wife of Isaac and mother of Esau and Jacob. She plays a crucial role in the account of God's sovereign choice. 2. EsauThe older son of Isaac and Rebecca, traditionally entitled to the birthright and blessing. 3. JacobThe younger son of Isaac and Rebecca, chosen by God to carry forward the Abrahamic covenant. 4. IsaacThe father of Esau and Jacob, through whom the promise given to Abraham was to be continued. 5. God's Sovereign ChoiceThe event of God choosing Jacob over Esau before their birth, illustrating His sovereign will and purpose. Teaching Points God's Sovereignty in ElectionGod's choice is based on His sovereign will, not human merit or works. This challenges us to trust in His divine plan and purpose. Understanding Divine PurposeThe account of Jacob and Esau reminds us that God's purposes often transcend human expectations and cultural norms. Faith Over WorksSalvation and God's calling are not based on human effort but on His grace. This encourages believers to rely on faith rather than works. The Role of ProphecyProphecies, like the one given to Rebecca, demonstrate God's foreknowledge and plan. Believers are called to trust in the fulfillment of God's promises. Humility in God's PlanRecognizing that God's choices are not based on human standards should lead to humility and submission to His will. Lists and Questions Top 10 Lessons from Romans 9
What does 'holy nation' mean for believers?
How can one return after backsliding from faith?
What were the ages of Jesus' disciples?
How do we reconcile biblical accounts of dragons with modern zoology?(12) The elder shall serve the younger.--The margin gives as an alternative rendering, "the greater shall serve the lesser." The quotation is taken from the LXX., in which there is the same ambiguity. This ambiguity also appears to exist in the Hebrew, where it is a disputed question whether the words refer to age or to the comparative strength of the two peoples. In either case, it is the nations that should spring from Esau and Jacob that are meant.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek notοὐκ(ouk)Adverb
Strong's 3756:No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.byἐξ(ex)Preposition
Strong's 1537:From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.worksἔργων(ergōn)Noun - Genitive Neuter Plural
Strong's 2041:From a primary ergo; toil; by implication, an act.butἀλλ’(all’)Conjunction
Strong's 235:But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise.byἐκ(ek)Preposition
Strong's 1537:From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.Him whoτοῦ(tou)Article - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.calls,καλοῦντος(kalountos)Verb - Present Participle Active - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2564:(a) I call, summon, invite, (b) I call, name. Akin to the base of keleuo; to 'call'.sheαὐτῇ(autē)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Feminine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846:He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.was told,ἐρρέθη(errethē)Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2046:Probably a fuller form of rheo; an alternate for epo in certain tenses; to utter, i.e. Speak or say.“TheὉ(Ho)Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.olderμείζων(meizōn)Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular - Comparative
Strong's 3173:Large, great, in the widest sense.will serveδουλεύσει(douleusei)Verb - Future Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1398:To be a slave, be subject to, obey, be devoted. From doulos; to be a slave to.theτῷ(tō)Article - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.younger.”ἐλάσσονι(elassoni)Adjective - Dative Masculine Singular - Comparative
Strong's 1640:Less, smaller; poorer, inferior. Or elatton el-at-tone'; comparative of the same as elachistos; smaller.
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NT Letters: Romans 9:12 It was said to her The elder (Rom. Ro) |
