Bible Strands
Romans 11:4
And what was the divine reply to him? “I have reserved for Myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Paul addresses the Roman believers, quoting God’s direct reply to Elijah’s complaint about being the sole remaining faithful prophet.
The words — The verse centers on χρηματισμός (chrēmatismos), meaning “divine answer,” and κατελίπον (katelipon), meaning “I have left,” to mark God’s authoritative declaration.
The thread — This statement directly quotes 1 Kings 19:18, contrasting with the mass Baal worship described in Numbers 25:3 and the purge ordered in 2 Kings 10:19.
Why it lands — The text states that God preserved seven thousand unbowing men despite Elijah’s perception of total abandonment. It requires the reader to measure spiritual reality by divine preservation rather than visible numbers.
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 what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal.
Cross-references
- 1 Kings 19:18 Nevertheless, I have reserved seven thousand in Israel—all whose knees have not bowed to Baal and whose mouths have not kissed him.”
- Numbers 25:3 So Israel joined in worshiping Baal of Peor, and the anger of the LORD burned against them.
- 2 Kings 10:19 Now, therefore, summon to me all the prophets of Baal, all his servants, and all his priests. See that no one is missing, for I have a great sacrifice for Baal. Whoever is missing will not live.” But Jehu was acting deceptively in order to destroy the servants of Baal.
- Zephaniah 1:4 “I will stretch out My hand against Judah and against all who dwell in Jerusalem. I will cut off from this place every remnant of Baal, the names of the idolatrous and pagan priests—
- Judges 2:13 for they forsook Him and served Baal and the Ashtoreths.
- Hosea 13:1 When Ephraim spoke, there was trembling; he was exalted in Israel. But he incurred guilt through Baal, and he died.
- 1 Kings 16:31 And as if it were not enough for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, he even married Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians, and he then proceeded to serve and worship Baal.
- Jeremiah 19:5 They have built high places to Baal on which to burn their children in the fire as offerings to Baal—something I never commanded or mentioned, nor did it even enter My mind.
- Hosea 2:8 For she does not acknowledge that it was I who gave her grain, new wine, and oil, who lavished on her silver and gold—which they crafted for Baal.
- Deuteronomy 4:3 Your eyes have seen what the LORD did at Baal-peor, for the LORD your God destroyed from among you all who followed Baal of Peor.