Bible Strands
Romans 10:21
But as for Israel he says: “All day long I have held out My hands to a disobedient and obstinate people.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Paul addresses the Roman believers regarding the national response to the gospel. He quotes the Lord to contrast the previous verse’s declaration about Gentile inclusion with God’s ongoing posture toward Israel.
The words — The Greek phrase ὅλην τὴν ἡμέραν (holēn tēn hēmeran) literally translates to "all day long." The conjunction δὲ (de) marks a sharp transition, rendering the opening phrase "but as for."
The thread — This declaration echoes Isaiah 65:2, where God extends His hands to an obstinate people. It also recalls the pattern of divine patience and human rebellion found in Nehemiah 9:26 and Proverbs 1:24.
Why it lands — The text states that God persistently held out His hands while Israel remained disobedient and obstinate. It requires the reader to acknowledge that human refusal, not divine absence, determines the outcome of the appeal.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
But to Israel he saith, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people.
Cross-references
- Isaiah 65:2 All day long I have held out My hands to an obstinate people who walk in the wrong path, who follow their own imaginations,
- Nehemiah 9:26 But they were disobedient and rebelled against You; they flung Your law behind their backs. They killed Your prophets, who had admonished them to return to You. They committed terrible blasphemies.
- Proverbs 1:24 Because you refused my call, and no one took my outstretched hand,
- Jeremiah 35:15 Again and again I have sent you all My servants the prophets, proclaiming: ‘Turn now, each of you, from your wicked ways, and correct your actions. Do not go after other gods to serve them. Live in the land that I have given to you and your fathers.’ But you have not inclined your ear or listened to Me.
- Matthew 21:33 Listen to another parable: There was a landowner who planted a vineyard. He put a wall around it, dug a winepress in it, and built a tower. Then he rented it out to some tenants and went away on a journey.
- 1 Peter 2:8 and, “A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense.” They stumble because they disobey the word—and to this they were appointed.
- Deuteronomy 9:13 The LORD also said to me, “I have seen this people, and they are indeed a stiff-necked people.
- Deuteronomy 31:27 For I know how rebellious and stiff-necked you are. If you are already rebelling against the LORD while I am still alive, how much more will you rebel after my death!
- Jeremiah 25:4 And the LORD has sent all His servants the prophets to you again and again, but you have not listened or inclined your ear to hear.
- Matthew 22:3 He sent his servants to call those he had invited to the banquet, but they refused to come.