Romans 9:27

Esaias. This is a transliteration of the Greek spelling of the Hebrew name Isaiah. Paul now passes from prophecies applicable to the calling of the Gentiles to others concerning the rejection of all but a remnant of Israel.

Crieth. Greek krazo. The word indicates intense earnestness (see John 1:15; 7:28, 37; 12:44; Acts 23:6).

Though the number. The quotation is from Isa. 10:22, 23, not identical in wording with either the Hebrew or the LXX. However, the variations in form do not change the essential meaning of the prophecy.

Sand of the sea. Isaiah’s words reflect those of the promise to Abraham (Gen. 22:17).

A remnant. Literally, “the remnant,” meaning in this context “only a remnant.” The doctrine of the remnant was an important part of Isaiah’s teaching. It was included in his divine commission to be a messenger to Israel (Isa. 6:13), and he emphasizes it repeatedly in his writing (chs. 1:9; 10:20-22; 11:11-16; 37:4, 31, 32; 46:3). He was even instructed by the Lord to name one of his sons Shear-jashub, literally, “a remnant shall return.” Other OT prophets also frequently mention the “remnant” (see Jer. 6:9; 23:3; 31:7; Eze. 6:8; 14:22; Joel 2:32; Amos 5:15; Micah 2:12; 4:7; 5:7, 8; 7:18; Zeph. 2:7, 9; 3:13; Haggai 1:12, 14; Zech. 8:6, 12).

Shall be saved. The Hebrew reads, “shall return.” This return was not supposed to be merely from exile but “unto the mighty God” (Isa. 10:21). Hence the Greek translation “shall be saved” correctly represents the intent of the prophecy.