Romans 9:27-28
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Paul highlights the prophet Isaiah's "cry" – not just a spoken word, but an impassioned, perhaps even anguished, proclamation over Israel's impending judgment. This isn't merely a statement about numbers; it's a lament that even among the vast multitudes compared to the sand of the sea, only a chosen few, a remnant, 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, for the Lord will carry out his sentence upon the earth fully and without delay.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul is grappling with the tough question of why so many Jewish people didn't accept Jesus, even though they were God's chosen people. He’s already shown that God’s promises don’t automatically pass down through physical descent, citing Hosea's prophecy about God calling Gentiles His people. Now, he turns to Isaiah's prophecy to demonstrate that Scripture itself predicted only a remnant of Israel would be saved, not the entire nation.
Why does Paul use such strong language like 'cries out' to introduce Isaiah's message? What was the prophet feeling?
The word 'cries out' (Greek: krazei) conveys an impassioned, urgent utterance. It's not a calm statement but a deep, emotional outpouring. Think of a scream of anguish or a passionate declaration.
A Prophet's Burden
When Isaiah 'cries out concerning Israel,' it's as if he's lamenting over them, proclaiming a difficult truth that hangs heavy like a judgment. This wasn't just a casual observation; it was a prophet wrestling with a painful reality – that despite God's promises, not all of Israel would ultimately be saved.
This intensity highlights the gravity of God's dealings with His people and the prophetic burden to speak even unwelcome truths.
Israel was promised descendants as numerous as the sand. So why does the prophecy speak of only a 'remnant' being saved?
The contrast between the vastness of the sand on the sea and the smallness of a 'remnant' is stark and intentional. God promised Abraham descendants as numerous as the sand (Genesis 22:17), a sign of His faithfulness and abundant blessing.
God's Faithfulness and Israel's Reality
Isaiah's prophecy, quoted here, acknowledges this immense number ('as the sand of the sea') but pivots dramatically to state that 'only a remnant shall be saved.' This doesn't negate God's promise of multitude, but it clarifies that physical numbers don't equal spiritual salvation.
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Paul uses this to show that God's saving purposes are focused on a chosen few, a 'remnant,' even from His own chosen people. It's a powerful reminder that God's election is not based on national identity or sheer numbers, but on His sovereign choice.
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 about a 'remnant' being saved from national disaster (like the Assyrian or Babylonian exiles) powerfully illustrates his point that not all physical descendants of Abraham would be saved. It highlights that God's saving faithfulness is focused on a chosen remnant, not the entirety of the nation, setting the stage for His saving work through Christ for both Jews and Gentiles.
c. 740 BC
Isaiah Prophesies Judgment
Isaiah delivers a prophecy concerning the impending judgment of God upon the Northern Kingdom of Israel and later upon Judah, highlighting the coming Assyrian conquests.
722 BC
Fall of Samaria and Northern Kingdom
The Assyrian Empire conquers Samaria, the capital of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, leading to the exile of many Israelites and the scattering of the population.
c. 605 BC
First Babylonian Deportation
Nebuchadnezzar's Babylonian army attacks Jerusalem, and many prominent Jews, including young men like Daniel, are deported to Babylon.
586 BC
Destruction of Jerusalem and Temple
The Babylonians under Nebuchadnezzar destroy Jerusalem and its Temple, with the majority of the population exiled to Babylon.
c. 538 BC— this verse
Return from Babylonian Exile
Following the Persian conquest of Babylon, Cyrus the Great allows a remnant of Jews to return to Jerusalem and begin rebuilding the Temple.
c. 516 BC
Dedication of the Second Temple
The rebuilt Temple in Jerusalem is dedicated, marking a significant moment for the returned exiles, though it was a pale shadow of Solomon's original Temple.
This is the primary source of the quote Paul uses, directly stating that though Israel be as the sand of the sea, only a remnant will return.
Jeremiah 23:3Similar to Isaiah's prophecy, Jeremiah speaks of gathering the remnant of his flock from all the lands, emphasizing God's care for a select few even amidst widespread scattering.
Hosea 1:10Paul seems to echo the language here about the 'number of the sons of Israel' being like the sand, which the Lord will not number because of their vastness, highlighting the paradox of immense numbers yet only a remnant saved.
Ezekiel 14:22This passage speaks of a remnant of sons and daughters being left behind as survivors, directly connecting the concept of a remnant to deliverance through disaster, mirroring the idea of salvation from judgment.
Romans 9:29Immediately following this verse, Paul quotes Isaiah again to explain *why* only a remnant is saved: 'Except the Lord of hosts had left us a very small remnant, we should have been like Sodom and Gomorrah.' This shows the remnant is a sign of God's mercy preserving a seed.
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…
Paul highlights the prophet Isaiah's "cry" – not just a spoken word, but an impassioned, perhaps even anguished, proclamation over Israel's impending judgment. This isn't merely a statement about numbers; it's a lament that even among the vast multitudes compared to the sand of the sea, only a chosen few, a remnant, would ultimately be saved.
Paul is grappling with the tough question of why so many Jewish people didn't accept Jesus, even though they were God's chosen people. He’s already shown that God’s promises don’t automatically pass down through physical descent, citing Hosea's prophecy about God calling Gentiles His people. Now, he turns to Isaiah's prophecy to demonstrate that Scripture itself predicted only a remnant of Israel would be saved, not the entire nation.
Paul is grappling with the tough question of why so many Jewish people didn't accept Jesus, even though they were God's chosen people. He’s already shown that God’s promises don’t automatically pass down through physical descent, citing Hosea's prophecy about God calling Gentiles His people. Now, he turns to Isaiah's prophecy to demonstrate that Scripture itself predicted only a remnant of Israel would be saved, not the entire nation.
"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, for the Lord will carry out his sentence upon the earth fully and without delay.”" — Paul highlights the prophet Isaiah's "cry" – not just a spoken word, but an impassioned, perhaps even anguished, proclamation over Israel's impending judgment. This isn't merely a statement about num…
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Last reviewed October 2026
