Romans 11:16

Translations

Modern

If the first part of the dough is holy, so is the whole batch; if the root is holy, so are the branches.

Traditional

For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches.

Literal

Now if the firstfruit is holy, also is the lump; and if the root is holy, also are the branches.

Latin

Quod si delibatio sancta est, et massa: et si radix sancta, et rami.

Original

Greek

English

If the first part of the dough is holy, so is the whole batch; if the root is holy, so are the branches.

Notes

Romans 11:16

The whole batch … is holy: This is because the first part given as an offering is holy. This imagery comes from Numbers 15:17–21. In that passage, God told the Israelites to take part of their first batch of dough and set it apart as an offering to him.

Paul uses this image to explain God’s faithfulness to Israel. God’s promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob were like a first portion given to God. Because of these promises, God’s work with his people will continue until it is complete.

Romans 9:1–11:36

n this section, Paul addresses a serious question. Many Jews did not believe in Jesus. If God had promised salvation to Israel, how could Jesus truly fulfill God’s plan when so few Jews believed (9:1–5)? In response, Paul uses the Old Testament to show that God always planned to save only a remnant, that is, a smaller group within Israel (9:6–29). Paul also explains that many Jews did not accept Christ because they refused to trust in him (9:30–10:21).

Paul then makes clear that God has not rejected Israel. Some Jews have already believed in Christ (11:1–10). Many more will trust in Christ in the future (11:12–26).

Theme notes and profiles

Abraham Paul (Saul) Ethnic Hatred God’s Covenant with Abraham God’s Judgment of His People God’s Unified Plan of Salvation Jews and Gentiles (Non-Jews) Messages Against the Nations Security and Obedience

Related verses

Ezekiel 44:30
The best of all the firstfruits and of every contribution from all your offerings will belong to the priests. You are to give your first batch of dough to the priest, so that a blessing may rest upon your homes.
Proverbs 3:9
Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your crops;
Jeremiah 2:21
I had planted you like a choice vine from the very best seed. How could you turn yourself before Me into a rotten, wild vine?
James 1:18
He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we would be a kind of firstfruits of His creation.
Numbers 15:17–21
Then the LORD said to Moses,
Leviticus 23:10
“Speak to the Israelites and say, ‘When you enter the land that I am giving you and you reap its harvest, you are to bring to the priest a sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest.
Romans 11:17
Now if some branches have been broken off, and you, a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others to share in the nourishment of the olive root,
Deuteronomy 26:10
And now, behold, I have brought the firstfruits of the land that You, O LORD, have given me.” Then you are to place the basket before the LORD your God and bow down before Him.
Genesis 17:7
I will establish My covenant as an everlasting covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you.
Deuteronomy 18:4
You are to give them the firstfruits of your grain, new wine, and oil, and the first wool sheared from your flock.
Exodus 23:16
You are also to keep the Feast of Harvest with the firstfruits of the produce from what you sow in the field. And keep the Feast of Ingathering at the end of the year, when you gather your produce from the field.
Exodus 23:19
Bring the best of the firstfruits of your soil to the house of the LORD your God. You must not cook a young goat in its mother’s milk.

Glossary

Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Book of Esther Elect, Election Feasts and Festivals of Israel Hebrews, Letter to the Land Letter to the Romans Mystery

Topics

First Fruits: Figurative First Fruits: First Ripe of Fruits, Grain, Oil, Wine, and First of Fleece, Required As an offering Holiness: General Scriptures Concerning Roots Salvation: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To The First Fruits: Offering of, Consecrated the Whole

Romans 11:16

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