Romans 11:7
New International Version
What then? What the people of Israel sought so earnestly they did not obtain. The elect among them did, but the others were hardened,

New Living Translation
So this is the situation: Most of the people of Israel have not found the favor of God they are looking for so earnestly. A few have—the ones God has chosen—but the hearts of the rest were hardened.

English Standard Version
What then? Israel failed to obtain what it was seeking. The elect obtained it, but the rest were hardened,

Berean Standard Bible
What then? What Israel was seeking, it failed to obtain, but the elect did. The others were hardened,

Berean Literal Bible
What then? What Israel is seeking, this it has not obtained, but the elect obtained it. And the rest were hardened,

King James Bible
What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded

New King James Version
What then? Israel has not obtained what it seeks; but the elect have obtained it, and the rest were blinded.

New American Standard Bible
What then? What Israel is seeking, it has not obtained, but those who were chosen obtained it, and the rest were hardened;

NASB 1995
What then? What Israel is seeking, it has not obtained, but those who were chosen obtained it, and the rest were hardened;

NASB 1977
What then? That which Israel is seeking for, it has not obtained, but those who were chosen obtained it, and the rest were hardened;

Legacy Standard Bible
What then? What Israel is seeking, it has not obtained, but the chosen obtained it, and the rest were hardened;

Amplified Bible
What then? Israel failed to obtain what it was seeking [that is, God’s favor by obedience to the Law], but the elect [those chosen few] obtained it, while the rest of them became hardened and callously indifferent;

Christian Standard Bible
What then? Israel did not find what it was looking for, but the elect did find it. The rest were hardened,

Holman Christian Standard Bible
What then? Israel did not find what it was looking for, but the elect did find it. The rest were hardened,

American Standard Version
What then? That which Israel seeketh for, that he obtained not; but the election obtained it, and the rest were hardened:

Contemporary English Version
This means that only a chosen few of the people of Israel found what all of them were searching for. And the rest of them were stubborn,

English Revised Version
What then? That which Israel seeketh for, that he obtained not; but the election obtained it, and the rest were hardened:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
So what does all this mean? It means that Israel has never achieved what it has been striving for. However, those whom God has chosen have achieved it. The minds of the rest of Israel were closed,

Good News Translation
What then? The people of Israel did not find what they were looking for. It was only the small group that God chose who found it; the rest grew deaf to God's call.

International Standard Version
What, then, does this mean? It means that Israel failed to obtain what it was seeking, but the selected group obtained it while the rest were hardened.

Majority Standard Bible
What then? What Israel was seeking, it failed to obtain, but the elect did. The others were hardened,

NET Bible
What then? Israel failed to obtain what it was diligently seeking, but the elect obtained it. The rest were hardened,

New Heart English Bible
What then? That which Israel seeks for, that he did not obtain, but the chosen ones obtained it, and the rest were hardened.

Webster's Bible Translation
What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded.

Weymouth New Testament
How then does the matter stand? It stands thus. That which Israel are in earnest pursuit of, they have not obtained; but God's chosen servants have obtained it, and the rest have become hardened.

World English Bible
What then? That which Israel seeks for, that he didn’t obtain, but the chosen ones obtained it, and the rest were hardened.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
What then? What Israel seeks after, this it did not obtain, and the chosen obtained, and the rest were hardened,

Berean Literal Bible
What then? What Israel is seeking, this it has not obtained, but the elect obtained it. And the rest were hardened,

Young's Literal Translation
What then? What Israel doth seek after, this it did not obtain, and the chosen did obtain, and the rest were hardened,

Smith's Literal Translation
What then What Israel seeks for, this be attained not; but the selection attained, and the rest were hardened.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
What then? That which Israel sought, he hath not obtained: but the election hath obtained it; and the rest have been blinded.

Catholic Public Domain Version
What is next? What Israel was seeking, he has not obtained. But the elect have obtained it. And truly, these others have been blinded,

New American Bible
What then? What Israel was seeking it did not attain, but the elect attained it; the rest were hardened,

New Revised Standard Version
What then? Israel failed to obtain what it was seeking. The elect obtained it, but the rest were hardened,
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
What then? Israel has not obtained that which he sought; but the elected ones have obtained it, and the rest were blinded in their hearts.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
Why therefore has not Israel found that which it was seeking, but The Election has found it and the rest of them were blinded in their hearts,
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
What then? Israel has not obtained that which he seeks; but the chosen have obtained it, and the rest have been hardened to this day,

Godbey New Testament
What then? Israel did not attain that which he was seeking, but the election obtained it, and the rest were hardened:

Haweis New Testament
What then is the result? Israel hath not obtained that which it seeketh; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded,

Mace New Testament
"What then, hath not Israel obtained what he sought for?" no, but the chosen remnant have obtained it, and the rest are obdurate to this day,

Weymouth New Testament
How then does the matter stand? It stands thus. That which Israel are in earnest pursuit of, they have not obtained; but God's chosen servants have obtained it, and the rest have become hardened.

Worrell New Testament
What, then? What Israel is seeking for, this he did not obtain; but the election obtained it, and the rest were hardened;

Worsley New Testament
What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he sought: but the elect have obtained it, and the rest were blinded,

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Remnant of Israel
6And if it is by grace, then it is no longer by works. Otherwise, grace would no longer be grace. 7What then? What Israel was seeking, it failed to obtain, but the elect did. The others were hardened, 8as it is written: “God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that could not see, and ears that could not hear, to this very day.”…

Cross References
Romans 9:31-32
but Israel, who pursued a law of righteousness, has not attained it. / Why not? Because their pursuit was not by faith, but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone,

Isaiah 29:10
For the LORD has poured out on you a spirit of deep sleep. He has shut your eyes, O prophets; He has covered your heads, O seers.

Isaiah 44:18
They do not comprehend or discern, for He has shut their eyes so they cannot see and closed their minds so they cannot understand.

Deuteronomy 29:4
Yet to this day the LORD has not given you a mind to understand, eyes to see, or ears to hear.

Matthew 13:14-15
In them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled: ‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving. / For this people’s heart has grown callous; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them.’

John 12:37-40
Although Jesus had performed so many signs in their presence, they still did not believe in Him. / This was to fulfill the word of Isaiah the prophet: “Lord, who has believed our message? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?” / For this reason they were unable to believe. For again, Isaiah says: ...

2 Corinthians 3:14
But their minds were closed. For to this day the same veil remains at the reading of the old covenant. It has not been lifted, because only in Christ can it be removed.

2 Thessalonians 2:11-12
For this reason God will send them a powerful delusion so that they believe the lie, / in order that judgment may come upon all who have disbelieved the truth and delighted in wickedness.

Psalm 69:22-23
May their table become a snare; may it be a retribution and a trap. / May their eyes be darkened so they cannot see, and their backs be bent forever.

Isaiah 6:9-10
And He replied: “Go and tell this people, ‘Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.’ / Make the hearts of this people calloused; deafen their ears and close their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed.”

Matthew 11:25
At that time Jesus declared, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.

John 9:39
Then Jesus declared, “For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind may see and those who see may become blind.”

1 Peter 2:8
and, “A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense.” They stumble because they disobey the word—and to this they were appointed.

Isaiah 8:14
And He will be a sanctuary—but to both houses of Israel a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense, to the dwellers of Jerusalem a trap and a snare.

Jeremiah 5:21
“Hear this, O foolish and senseless people, who have eyes but do not see, who have ears but do not hear.


Treasury of Scripture

What then? Israel has not obtained that which he seeks for; but the election has obtained it, and the rest were blinded.

What then?

Romans 3:9
What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin;

Romans 6:15
What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.

1 Corinthians 10:19
What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing?

Israel.

Romans 9:31,32
But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness…

Romans 10:3
For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.

Proverbs 1:28
Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me:

but the election.

Romans 11:5
Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.

Romans 8:28-30
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose…

Romans 9:23
And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,

and the rest.

Isaiah 6:10
Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed.

Isaiah 44:18
They have not known nor understood: for he hath shut their eyes, that they cannot see; and their hearts, that they cannot understand.

Matthew 13:14,15
And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: …

blinded.

Romans 9:18
Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.

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Blinded Chosen Earnest Earnestly Elect Election Failed God's Hard Hardened Israel Matter Obtain Obtained Ones Others Pursuit Rest Searching Seek Seeketh Seeking Seeks Selection Servants Sought Stand Stands
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Blinded Chosen Earnest Earnestly Elect Election Failed God's Hard Hardened Israel Matter Obtain Obtained Ones Others Pursuit Rest Searching Seek Seeketh Seeking Seeks Selection Servants Sought Stand Stands
Romans 11
1. God has not cast off all Israel.
7. Some were elected, though the rest were hardened.
16. There is hope of their conversion.
18. The Gentiles may not exult over them;
26. for there is a promise of their salvation.
33. God's judgments are unsearchable.














What then?
This phrase serves as a rhetorical question, prompting the reader to consider the implications of the preceding discussion. In the context of Romans, Paul has been discussing the relationship between Israel and God's plan of salvation. The Greek phrase "τί οὖν" (ti oun) is often used by Paul to transition into a conclusion or a significant point. It invites the reader to reflect on the unfolding narrative of God's redemptive history and the mystery of His sovereign choices.

What Israel was seeking
Here, Paul refers to Israel's pursuit of righteousness and a right standing with God. Historically, Israel sought to achieve this through adherence to the Law. The Greek word "ἐπιζητεῖ" (epizētei) implies an earnest and diligent search. This reflects Israel's intense desire to fulfill the covenantal promises and attain the blessings associated with being God's chosen people. However, their pursuit was misguided, as it relied on human effort rather than faith in God's provision through Christ.

it failed to obtain
The phrase indicates Israel's inability to achieve the righteousness they sought. The Greek word "ἐπέτυχεν" (epetuchen) means to attain or achieve. Despite their zealous efforts, Israel did not succeed because they pursued righteousness through the law rather than through faith. This failure highlights the futility of attempting to earn God's favor through works, underscoring the necessity of faith in Christ for true righteousness.

but the elect did
This part of the verse introduces the concept of "the elect," those chosen by God to receive His grace and salvation. The Greek word "ἐκλογὴ" (eklogē) refers to God's sovereign choice. The elect obtained the righteousness that Israel sought because they received it through faith, not works. This emphasizes the doctrine of election, where God's grace is extended to those He has chosen, independent of human merit or effort.

The others were hardened
This phrase speaks to the spiritual condition of those who were not part of the elect. The Greek word "ἐπωρώθησαν" (epōrōthēsan) means to be hardened or made callous. This hardening is a judicial act of God, allowing those who reject His truth to continue in their unbelief. It serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of rejecting God's grace and the reality of divine judgment. Historically, this hardening can be seen in Israel's persistent unbelief and rejection of Jesus as the Messiah, which led to their spiritual blindness.

(7) What is the result? Not only did Israel fail to obtain the salvation which it sought, and which the select few succeeded in obtaining, but it was consigned to a state of complete spiritual apathy and torpor, and its very blessings became a curse and a snare.

Were blinded.--An erroneous translation, arising from a confusion of two similar words. The correct rendering, "were hardened," is given in the margin. So, too, "were blinded," in 2Corinthians 3:14, and "blindness," in Romans 11:25 of this chapter and Ephesians 4:18, should be changed to "were hardened," "hardness." The corresponding words in the Gospels are rightly translated. The term is one used in medicine for the forming of chalkstone, &c.

Verse 7. - What then? (What is the present state of things?) That which Israel seeketh for (i.e. δικαιοσύνην; cf. Romans 9:30, 31) he hath not obtained; but the election (i.e. the elect of the Gentiles, with a remnant only of the Jews - ἡ ἐκλογὴ being abstr, pro concret., like ἡ περιτομὴ ἡ ἀκροβυστία, elsewhere) hath obtained it, and the rest were hardened (ἐπωρώθησαν). The verb denotes callousness rather than blindness, usually in the New Testament referring to the heart (cf. especially John 12:40, Τετύφλωκεν αὐτῶν τοὺς ὀφθαλμοὺς καὶ πεπώρωκεν αὐτῶν τὴν καρδίαν). And such hardening is no new and strange thing, or to be taken as implying failure of God's promises to his people; for it is but what Scripture tells us of.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
What
Τί (Ti)
Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 5101: Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.

then?
οὖν (oun)
Conjunction
Strong's 3767: Therefore, then. Apparently a primary word; certainly, or accordingly.

What
(ho)
Personal / Relative Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3739: Who, which, what, that.

Israel
Ἰσραήλ (Israēl)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2474: Of Hebrew origin; Israel, the adopted name of Jacob, including his descendants.

was seeking,
ἐπιζητεῖ (epizētei)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1934: To seek after, desire, search for, make inquiries about. From epi and zeteo; to search for; intensively, to demand, to crave.

it failed to obtain,
ἐπέτυχεν (epetychen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2013: To attain, obtain, acquire. From epi and tugchano; to chance upon, i.e. to attain.

but
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

the
(hē)
Article - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

elect
ἐκλογὴ (eklogē)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1589: A choosing out, selecting, choice (by God). From eklegomai; selection.

[did].
ἐπέτυχεν (epetychen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2013: To attain, obtain, acquire. From epi and tugchano; to chance upon, i.e. to attain.

The
οἱ (hoi)
Article - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

others
λοιποὶ (loipoi)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3062: Left, left behind, the remainder, the rest, the others. Masculine plural of a derivative of leipo; remaining ones.

were hardened,
ἐπωρώθησαν (epōrōthēsan)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 4456: To harden, render callous, petrify. Apparently from poros; to petrify, i.e. to indurate.


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NT Letters: Romans 11:7 What then? That which Israel seeks (Rom. Ro)
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