Romans 9:12
New International Version
not by works but by him who calls—she was told, “The older will serve the younger.”

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

English Standard Version
she was told, “The older will serve the younger.”

Berean Standard Bible
not by works but by Him who calls, she was told, “The older will serve the younger.”

Berean Literal Bible
not of works, but of the One calling, it was said to her, "The older will serve the younger."

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

New King James Version
it was said to her, “The older shall serve the younger.”

New American Standard Bible
it was said to her, “THE OLDER WILL SERVE THE YOUNGER.”

NASB 1995
it was said to her, “THE OLDER WILL SERVE THE YOUNGER.”

NASB 1977
it was said to her, “THE OLDER WILL SERVE THE YOUNGER.”

Legacy Standard Bible
it was said to her, “THE OLDER SHALL SERVE THE YOUNGER.”

Amplified Bible
it was said to her, “THE OLDER (Esau) WILL SERVE THE YOUNGER (Jacob).”

Christian Standard Bible
not from works but from the one who calls—she was told, The older will serve the younger.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
not from works but from the One who calls—she was told: The older will serve the younger.

American Standard Version
it was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger.

English Revised Version
it was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
a choice based on God's call and not on anything people do.

International Standard Version
according to his calling and not by actions), Rebecca was told, "The older child will serve the younger one."

Majority Standard Bible
not by works but by Him who calls, she was told, ?The older will serve the younger.?

NET Bible
it was said to her, "The older will serve the younger,"

New Heart English Bible
it was said to her, "The elder will serve the younger."

Webster's Bible Translation
It was said to her, The elder shall serve the younger.

Weymouth New Testament
"The elder of them will be bondservant to the younger."

World English Bible
it was said to her, “The elder will serve the younger.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
it was said to her, “The greater will serve the less”;

Berean Literal Bible
not 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 Translation
It was said to her, That the greater shall serve the less.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Not of works, but of him that calleth, it was said to her: The elder shall serve the younger.

Catholic Public Domain Version
and not because of deeds, but because of a calling, it was said to her: “The elder shall serve the younger.”

New American Bible
not by works but by his call—she was told, “The older shall serve the younger.”

New Revised Standard Version
not by works but by his call) she was told, “The elder shall serve the younger.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
For it was said, The elder shall be the servant of the younger.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
For it was said, “The elder shall be a Servant to the younger”,
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
it was said to her: The elder shall serve the younger;

Godbey New Testament
and it was said to her, The elder shall serve the younger:

Haweis New Testament
it 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, 12not by works but by Him who calls, she was told, “The older will serve the younger.” 13So it is written: “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”…

Cross References
Genesis 25:23
and 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 11:20
By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning the future.

Genesis 27:29
May 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 27:40
You shall live by the sword and serve your brother. But when you rebel, you will tear his yoke from your neck.”

2 Samuel 8:14
He placed garrisons throughout Edom, and all the Edomites were subject to David. So the LORD made David victorious wherever he went.

Obadiah 1:18
Then 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 1:10
Because of the violence against your brother Jacob, you will be covered with shame and cut off forever.

Obadiah 1:21
The deliverers will ascend Mount Zion to rule over the mountains of Esau. And the kingdom will belong to the LORD.

Isaiah 14:2
The 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 60:12
For the nation or kingdom that will not serve you will perish; it will be utterly destroyed.

Matthew 20:16
So the last will be first, and the first will be last.”

Matthew 19:30
But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.

Luke 13:30
And indeed, some who are last will be first, and some who are first will be last.”

1 Corinthians 1:27-29
But 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, If it be so, why am 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 deputy was king.

younger.

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Bondservant Calls Elder Greater Less Older Servant Serve Works Younger
Romans 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
This phrase emphasizes the principle of divine election, which is a recurring theme in Paul's writings. The Greek word for "works" is "ἔργων" (ergon), which refers to deeds or actions. In the context of Romans 9, Paul is discussing God's sovereign choice, independent of human actions or merits. Historically, this underscores the Jewish understanding of the covenant, where God's promises were not based on human effort but on His sovereign will. This challenges the notion that human effort can earn God's favor, aligning with the broader biblical narrative that salvation is a gift of grace.

but by Him who calls
The phrase highlights God's initiative in the process of election. The Greek word for "calls" is "καλοῦντος" (kalountos), which implies a divine summons or invitation. This reflects the biblical theme that God is the one who initiates and completes the work of salvation. In the historical context of Israel, God's calling of the patriarchs and the nation was based on His purpose and promise, not on their inherent worthiness. This serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty and the assurance that His purposes will prevail.

she was told
This phrase refers to the divine revelation given to Rebekah, the mother of Jacob and Esau. The Greek word "ἐρρέθη" (errethē) means "it was said" or "it was spoken," indicating a direct communication from God. This highlights the importance of divine revelation in understanding God's will and purposes. In the scriptural context, it underscores the prophetic nature of God's word, which is certain and unchangeable. Rebekah's experience serves as a testament to the reliability of God's promises and His active role in guiding history.

The older will serve the younger
This statement is a direct quote from Genesis 25:23, where God reveals His plan for Jacob and Esau. The phrase challenges the cultural norms of primogeniture, where the firstborn typically held a position of privilege and authority. The Greek word for "serve" is "δουλεύσει" (douleusei), which means to be a servant or to be in subjection. This reversal of roles illustrates God's sovereign choice and His ability to work beyond human expectations. It serves as a powerful reminder that God's ways are higher than human ways, and His purposes are accomplished according to His will, not human tradition. This theme resonates throughout Scripture, where God often chooses the unlikely or the marginalized to fulfill His purposes, demonstrating His power and grace.

(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
not
οὐκ (ouk)
Adverb
Strong's 3756: No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.

by
ἐξ (ex)
Preposition
Strong's 1537: From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.

works
ἔργων (ergōn)
Noun - Genitive Neuter Plural
Strong's 2041: From a primary ergo; toil; by implication, an act.

but
ἀλλ’ (all’)
Conjunction
Strong's 235: But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise.

by
ἐκ (ek)
Preposition
Strong's 1537: From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.

Him who
τοῦ (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'.

she
αὐτῇ (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.

“The
(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.

older
μείζων (meizōn)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular - Comparative
Strong's 3173: Large, great, in the widest sense.

will serve
δουλεύσει (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.

the
τῷ (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)
Romans 9:11
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