And Isaiah cries out concerning Israel: “Though the number of the sons of Israel be as the sand of the sea, only a remnant of them will be saved,
English Standard Version (ESV)
The prophecy isn't just about numbers; it's a powerful outcry, a "scream of anguish," as one commentator puts it, highlighting the prophet's deep sorrow and urgency as he proclaims that even among the countless descendants of Abraham, only a chosen few would be "saved" or "return" to God. This emphasizes that salvation isn't automatic, even for descendants of a chosen people, but a divine work that selects and transforms a "remnant."
And Isaiah cries out concerning Israel: “Though the number of the sons of Israel be as the sand of the sea, only a remnant of them will be saved,
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul is deep in a challenging argument about God's sovereign choice, explaining why many ethnic Israelites were set aside while Gentiles were brought in. He's already used the analogy of the potter and clay to illustrate God's freedom to choose, and now he turns to prophecy. To show that this isn't a new or arbitrary decision, Paul quotes Isaiah, highlighting that even in ancient times, the prophet foresaw that despite Israel's vast numbers, only a select few would ultimately be saved.
Why does Paul use the word 'cries' to describe Isaiah's prophecy? What does this intense language reveal about God's message and the prophet's heart?
The text says Isaiah 'cries out.' This isn't just speaking; it's an impassioned, almost anguished utterance. The original Greek suggests a powerful, urgent shout, not a calm declaration.
Why such intensity?
Israel was promised a seed 'as the sand of the sea.' How can a people so numerous have only a 'remnant' saved?
The prophecy contrasts the immense, almost uncountable number of Israelites ('as the sand of the sea') with the small number who will ultimately be saved ('a remnant'). This isn't a contradiction but a profound theological point.
Ask a follow-up
The Grand Promise:
The Solemn Reality:
The original prophecy speaks of a 'remnant shall return.' Why does Paul phrase it as 'will be saved'?
The original Hebrew of Isaiah 10:22 (quoted in the Septuagint translation Paul uses) says 'a remnant shall return.' Paul's shift to 'will be saved' is not a casual alteration but a deepening of the prophecy's meaning for the New Testament era.
What 'Return' Means:
Paul's 'Saved':
Understand the original words
she'ar · Hebrew Noun
A theological concept referring to a small portion of the nation of Israel that remains faithful to God and is preserved by His grace for salvation, despite the majority's rebellion.
sōzō · Greek Verb
The state of being delivered from sin, divine judgment, and eternal separation from God. It is a work of God's grace received through faith.
Paul's use of Isaiah's prophecy highlights that God's promises have always involved a remnant, not necessarily the entirety of the nation. This speaks to God's sovereign choice and the distinction between physical Israel and the true people of God.
c. 740 BC
Isaiah's Prophecy
The prophet Isaiah delivers a message concerning the future of Israel, foretelling judgment and a future remnant. This prophecy is recorded in Isaiah chapters 1-39.
c. 722 BC
Fall of Samaria and Northern Kingdom
The Assyrian Empire conquers the Northern Kingdom of Israel, deporting many of its inhabitants. This event serves as a major fulfillment of prophetic warnings about judgment.
c. 597-586 BC
Babylonian Exile of Judah
Jerusalem and the Southern Kingdom of Judah are conquered by the Babylonians, leading to mass deportations. This fulfills further prophecies of judgment for disobedience.
c. 538 BC— this verse
Return from Exile
Under Cyrus the Great, a remnant of the Jewish exiles is permitted to return to Judah and rebuild the Temple. This marks a partial fulfillment of the 'remnant' prophecy.
This is the direct source of the quote Paul uses, highlighting the same theme of a remnant being saved amidst a vast population.
Hosea 1:10Paul seems to incorporate the imagery of Israel's multitude being like the 'sand of the sea' from this passage, connecting it to Isaiah's prophecy.
Romans 11:5This passage directly echoes the concept of a remnant chosen by grace, serving as a parallel to the present verse and reinforcing the idea of God's sovereign election.
Jeremiah 23:3This verse also speaks of gathering a remnant of God's flock and appointing shepherds over them, illustrating the consistent biblical theme of a preserved remnant.
1 Peter 1:1Peter addresses believers as 'elect exiles' scattered abroad, which resonates with the idea of a chosen remnant set apart from a larger, unsaved population.
vincentRomans 9:27: "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:"
Crieth (κράζει)An impassioned utterance. See on Luke 18:39; compare John 7:28, John 7:37; Acts 19:28; Acts 23:6. Mostly of an inarticulate cry. "The prophet in awful earnestness, and as with a scream of anguish, cries over Israel" (Morison).Concerning (ὑπέρ)Lit., over, as proclaiming a judgment which hangs over Israel.
cambridgeRomans 9:27: "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:"
27 . Esaias also ] Better, But Esaias . There is a contrast: Hosea speaks of the bringing in of Gentile believers; Isaiah of the rejection of all Jews except Jewish believers. crieth ] Perhaps the word refers to the power and intensity of Isaiah’s prophetic manner. So Meyer. concerning ] The Greek preposition is lit. over; and possibly it may be r…
The prophecy isn't just about numbers; it's a powerful outcry, a "scream of anguish," as one commentator puts it, highlighting the prophet's deep sorrow and urgency as he proclaims that even among the countless descendants of Abraham, only a chosen few would be "saved" or "return" to God. This emphasizes that salvation isn't automatic, even for descendants of a chosen people, but a divine work that selects and transforms a "remnant."
Paul is deep in a challenging argument about God's sovereign choice, explaining why many ethnic Israelites were set aside while Gentiles were brought in. He's already used the analogy of the potter and clay to illustrate God's freedom to choose, and now he turns to prophecy. To show that this isn't a new or arbitrary decision, Paul quotes Isaiah, highlighting that even in ancient times, the prophet foresaw that despite Israel's vast numbers, only a select few would ultimately be saved.
Paul is deep in a challenging argument about God's sovereign choice, explaining why many ethnic Israelites were set aside while Gentiles were brought in. He's already used the analogy of the potter and clay to illustrate God's freedom to choose, and now he turns to prophecy. To show that this isn't a new or arbitrary decision, Paul quotes Isaiah, highlighting that even in ancient times, the prophet foresaw that despite Israel's vast numbers, only a select few would ultimately be saved.
"And Isaiah cries out concerning Israel: “Though the number of the sons of Israel be as the sand of the sea, only a remnant of them will be saved," — The prophecy isn't just about numbers; it's a powerful outcry, a "scream of anguish," as one commentator puts it, highlighting the prophet's deep sorrow and urgency as he proclaims that even among th…
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Last reviewed October 2026