Romans 9:13

As it is written, Iacob haue I loued, but Esau haue I hated. Romans 9:13 (KJV)

This verse is part of the larger passage in Romans 9 where the Apostle Paul addresses the sovereignty of God in choosing individuals for His purposes. To understand its context we look to Romans 9:10‑12 (KJV), where Paul writes: “And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac; (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;) It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger.” Paul is referring to the Genesis account of Jacob (also called Israel) and Esau, the twin sons of Isaac and Rebecca (Genesis 25:19‑34), in which God declares that the older, Esau, would serve the younger, Jacob, contrary to the cultural expectation of primogeniture.

In Romans 9:13 Paul quotes the Old Testament book of Malachi 1:2‑3 (KJV): “I have loved you, saith the LORD. Yet ye say, Wherein hast thou loved us? Is not Esau Jacob’s brother? saith the LORD: yet I have loved Jacob, and I have hated Esau.” The term “hate” here does not convey the modern emotional intensity of the word but signifies a relational distinction within divine election—a preference for one over the other.

Paul uses this example to illustrate the principle of divine election. He continues in Romans 9:14‑16 (KJV): “What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.” The passage emphasizes that God’s choice is not based on human merit or works but on His sovereign will and purpose.

The teaching of this passage is that God has the right to choose according to His divine plan. It should be understood within its context to avoid misinterpretation; Paul’s main point is to highlight God’s sovereignty and mercy rather than to establish a doctrine of individual predestination or to portray God as arbitrary or unjust. In summary, Romans 9:13 highlights God’s choice to love Jacob and to show less love to Esau, urging believers to trust in God’s wisdom and sovereignty, recognizing that His choices are rooted in mercy, not in human effort.