"Unless YHWH of Hosts had left a very small remnant* for us, we would have been like Sodom and we would have been like Gomorrah". (Rom 9:29)
And then I saw the footnote for verse 9:
(V9) See Humble in glossary
Feeling lazy, I thought to myself, "Why would I go 'see humble'? I know what humble means and what a remnant was/is?"
Well, I looked anyway. I have learned in the three years that I have had this Bible translation that I can learn as much from the extensive glossary as I have from the main pages! This time was no exception.
The Hebrew (equivalent) word for our English word humble is remnant. So I substituted the word 'remnant' where I saw the English words humble, meek, lowly, etc in English translations. Once I did that, the text seems to come alive in a new and powerful way!! Of course, one has to first understand that Gentiles (the wild branches) who believe in the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of the Old and New Testament, are indeed part of the remnant, thereby grafted into/onto the (true or original) vine (the Hebrews or Israelites) that He chose first, to be a his holy nation, and to whom He has never broken His promises. When I saw it and read it from this perspective, my eyes popped and my heart jumped for joy!! Many other things I'd read about the remnant and grafting in those who are not of Hebrew blood, but who choose to follow the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob all of a sudden made more sense and fit together better.
Hallelujah!
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From the glossary:
Humble (Anav) when used collectively, refers to a group.
The Hebrew Scriptures frequently use humble to indicate the faithful minority remaining Godly through all their trials, not giving in to the temptations of the world, i.e. a remnant. This remnant is referred to in I Kings 19:18 when YHWH spoke of the 7,000 who had not bowed a knee to ba'al.
There are about two dozen verses referring to the remnant, but they are often hidden in most English translations because the Hebrew word, Anav, is translated by different English words, such as poor, meek, lowly, in addition to humble. Some of the verses where Anav refers to the remnant are (remember to substitute remnant where you see the English humble, meek, lowly, etc):
The humble also increase their joy in YHWH, and the poor among men will rejoice in the Holy One of Israel, Is 29:19.
The Spirit of the Lord, YHWH, is upon me, because YHWH has anointed me to preach good news to the humble. He sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and opening of eyes for those who are bound, Is 61:1.
Seek YHWH, all you humble of the earth who have worked His judgement! Seek righteousness! Seek humility! It may be you will be hidden on the Day of YHWH's anger, Zph 2:3.
He will guide the humble in judgement and He will teach the humble His Way, Ps 25:9.
But the humble will inherit the earth (Matt 5:5) and will delight themselves in the abundance of Shalom, Ps 37-11.
When GOD* rose to judgement, to save all the humble of the earth. Selah, Ps 76:10.
Surely He scorns the scorners, but He gives grace to the humble, Pro 3:34.