Who are counted as the seed according to Romans 9?
According to Romans 9, those counted as the seed are the children of promise, not the children of the flesh. The singular seed is designated, and only those who are of the children of promise are counted for the seed, as illustrated by Isaac, the son of promise, rather than Ishmael.
Les explains that the word zera in the Greek must be determined from the text—whether it refers to many in the seed or one. The article designates the singular seed, so only those who are of the children of the promise are counted for the seed. He returns to Genesis 21, where Sarah saw the son of Hagar mocking and told Abraham to cast out the bondwoman and her son, for the son of the bondwoman would not be heir with Isaac, the son of promise. Abraham loved Ishmael, but God told him to hearken to Sarah's voice, separating the flesh from the promise.
Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called.
That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.
More Questions
How do you know if "seed" in Romans 9 means one person or many people?
Whether the word "zera" (seed) in a given passage refers to many descendants or to one descendant has to be determined from the context of the text, since the word itself is used in the same context either way.
What does the article tell you about the word "seed" in Romans 9:7?
The Greek article in this passage designates that the seed being spoken of is the singular seed, not the plural.
What does the singular word "seed" refer to in Romans 9?
The singular word "seed" in Romans 9 refers to the seed of the woman promised in Genesis 3:15, running all the way up through the coming of Christ.
How do you tell whether the word "seed" in these verses means one person or many people?
The Greek word zera (seed) is used in both singular and plural contexts, so you must determine from the text itself whether the speaker means many in the seed or one.