Romans 9:10-13
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The text emphasizes that Rebekah conceived both twins by one man, Isaac. This is crucial because it highlights that God's choice between Jacob and Esau wasn't about different fathers or circumstances, but a sovereign decision made within the line of promise, even while they shared both parents and were conceived at the same time.
And not only so, but also when Rebekah had conceived children by one man, our forefather Isaac, though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad—in order that God’s purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of him who calls— she was told, “The older will serve the younger.” As it is written, “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul is demonstrating that God’s choice isn't based on human lineage or merit, but on His sovereign will. After discussing Ishmael and Isaac, he introduces Rebekah's twins, Jacob and Esau, as an even clearer example because they shared both parents. This sets up the explanation that God chose Jacob over Esau before they were even born, highlighting that divine selection transcends flesh and works.
Paul brings up Isaac and Ishmael, but then points to an even clearer example of God's choice. Why?
Paul uses the story of Isaac and Ishmael to show that not all of Abraham's natural descendants are automatically part of God's plan. However, he knows some might try to find a reason for Ishmael's rejection – maybe because he was born of a servant, Hagar, while Isaac was born of the free wife, Sarah. So, Paul moves to an even stronger example: Jacob and Esau.
These twins were born to the same father, Isaac, and the same mother, Rebekah. They were conceived at the same time. Yet, God still made a distinction between them before they were even born. This emphasizes that God's choice isn't based on outward circumstances or even differing mothers, but on something deeper.
The decision was made before they took their first breath or did anything at all. What does this tell us about God's sovereignty?
The crucial point Paul makes about Rebekah's twins, Jacob and Esau, is that God's decision about them was declared before they were born. The famous 'The elder shall serve the younger' (Romans 9:12) was spoken to Rebekah while they were still in her womb.
This timing is critical. It means God's choice wasn't based on anything Jacob or Esau did. They hadn't done any good or any evil yet. Their destinies weren't determined by their actions, their character, or any merit they possessed. This points to God's absolute sovereignty – His right to choose according to His own good pleasure and purpose, not in response to human works or worthiness.
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Understand the original words
Ribqah · Hebrew Noun
The wife of Isaac and mother of Jacob and Esau. Her role highlights the sovereign choice of God within the history of the patriarchs.
eklogē · Greek Noun
The divine decree by which God, before the foundation of the world, sovereignly chose certain individuals for salvation and adoption, based solely on His grace and not on foreseen merits or works.
ergon · Greek Noun
Actions or deeds performed by humans, which in a biblical context are often contrasted with faith or grace as a means of justification before God.
kaleō · Greek Verb
The divine act of summoning or inviting individuals to participate in the kingdom of God, often synonymous with the effective call of God that brings about salvation.
The story of Jacob and Esau, both sons of Isaac and Rebekah, powerfully illustrates Paul's point that God's choice isn't based on human merit but on His sovereign will. Even within the same family, conceived at the same time by the same father, God chose the younger, Jacob, over the elder, Esau, before they had done anything to earn or forfeit His favor.
c. 1898 BC
Birth of Isaac
Isaac, the son of Abraham and Sarah, is born. He is considered the child of promise, through whom God's covenant lineage will continue.
c. 1860 BC
Isaac Marries Rebekah
Isaac, around age 40, marries Rebekah, his cousin from Mesopotamia. This union is within the established covenant family.
c. 1850 BC— this verse
Conception of Jacob and Esau
Rebekah, after years of barrenness, conceives twins with Isaac. The conception itself becomes a focal point for divine revelation about their future.
c. 1850 BC
God's Declaration to Rebekah
Before the twins are born, God reveals to Rebekah that 'the older will serve the younger,' signaling a divine choice that transcends natural birth order.
c. 1830 BC
Birth of Jacob and Esau
Esau is born first, with Jacob grasping his heel. Their births fulfill the prophecy spoken to Rebekah in the womb.
c. 1805 BC
Jacob Acquires Birthright
Jacob, through a seemingly opportunistic act, obtains the birthright from a famished Esau for a bowl of stew.
c. 1804 BC
Jacob Receives Father's Blessing
With Rebekah's help, Jacob deceives his aging father Isaac and receives the patriarchal blessing intended for Esau.
This passage directly shows God's foreknowledge and declaration of His choice between Jacob and Esau before they were even born, highlighting God's sovereign selection process described in Romans 9.
Malachi 1:2-3This prophet directly quotes God referring to the same pair, Jacob and Esau, stating 'Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated,' underscoring the divine choice and distinction made between them as a foundational element of God's relationship with His people.
Galatians 3:16This verse emphasizes that the promises were made to Abraham and his 'seed,' specifically pointing to Christ, not to all his natural descendants, mirroring Paul's argument in Romans 9 that spiritual lineage, not mere physical descent, determines inclusion in God's promises.
Romans 4:13This passage reiterates that the promise to Abraham and his offspring to inherit the world was not through the law but through the righteousness of faith, aligning with Paul's focus in Romans 9 on God's sovereign purpose and election over natural lineage or deeds.
gillRomans 9:10: "And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac;"
And not only this,.... This instance of Ishmael and Isaac, is not the only one, proving that Abraham's natural seed, the children of the flesh, are not all children, the children of God: but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac, "it was said unto her", Romans 9:12, being in a parenthesis, "the elder shall serve the younger". The apostle was aware, that the Jews wou…
pulpitRomans 9:10: "And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac;"
Verse 10. - But not only this; but Rebecca also, when she had conceived by one, even by Isaac our father. The sentence thus begun is not formally completed, being taken up - after the parenthetical ver. 11 - by "It was said unto her" in ver. 12.
The text emphasizes that Rebekah conceived both twins by one man, Isaac. This is crucial because it highlights that God's choice between Jacob and Esau wasn't about different fathers or circumstances, but a sovereign decision made within the line of promise, even while they shared both parents and were conceived at the same time.
Paul is demonstrating that God’s choice isn't based on human lineage or merit, but on His sovereign will. After discussing Ishmael and Isaac, he introduces Rebekah's twins, Jacob and Esau, as an even clearer example because they shared both parents. This sets up the explanation that God chose Jacob over Esau before they were even born, highlighting that divine selection transcends flesh and works.
Paul is demonstrating that God’s choice isn't based on human lineage or merit, but on His sovereign will. After discussing Ishmael and Isaac, he introduces Rebekah's twins, Jacob and Esau, as an even clearer example because they shared both parents. This sets up the explanation that God chose Jacob over Esau before they were even born, highlighting that divine selection transcends flesh and works.
"And not only so, but also when Rebekah had conceived children by one man, our forefather Isaac, though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad—in order that God’s purpose of election might continue, not because of wo…" — The text emphasizes that Rebekah conceived both twins by one man, Isaac. This is crucial because it highlights that God's choice between Jacob and Esau wasn't about different fathers or circumstanc…
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Last reviewed October 2026
