Bible Strands
Romans 9:10
Not only that, but Rebecca’s children were conceived by one man, our father Isaac.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Paul addresses the Roman church while tracing the line of promise through Abraham’s descendants. He pauses at the birth of Rebekah’s twins to establish that divine election operates within recorded human history.
The words — The Greek construction ἐξ ἑνὸς (ex henos) literally means “from one” or “by one man.” It specifies that both children originated from a single human father, Isaac.
The thread — The conception of Rebekah’s children is recorded in Genesis 25:21, which notes Isaac’s prayer for his barren wife. The connective phrase οὐ μόνον δὲ ἀλλὰ καί (ou monon de alla kai) mirrors the structural pattern found in Romans 5:3.
Why it lands — The text states that Rebekah’s children were conceived by one man, Isaac, before noting their unborn status. Readers must acknowledge that human lineage and biological facts do not determine God’s elective plan.
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
And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac;
Cross-references
- Genesis 25:21 Later, Isaac prayed to the LORD on behalf of his wife, because she was barren. And the LORD heard his prayer, and his wife Rebekah conceived.
- Luke 16:26 And besides all this, a great chasm has been fixed between us and you, so that even those who wish cannot cross from here to you, nor can anyone cross from there to us.’
- Romans 5:3 Not only that, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;
- Romans 5:11 Not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.