Romans 4:17

KJV1611 – Modern English

As it is written, I have made you a father of many nations, before him whom he believed, even God, who gives life to the dead, and calls those things which do not exist as though they did.

📖 Grammatical Analysis

Original Text

(Καθὼς γέγραπται, ὅτι Πατέρα πολλῶν ἐθνῶν τέθεικά,) σε κατέναντι οὗ ἐπίστευσεν, Θεοῦ, τοῦ ζωοποιοῦντος τοὺς νεκροὺς, καὶ καλοῦντος τὰ μὴ ὄντα ὡς ὄντα.

Transliteration

(Just as it is gegraptai, that Patera of many ethnōn I have tetheika,) you katenanti of whom he episteusen, Theou, the one zōopoiountos the nekrous, and kalountos the things mē onta as onta.

Grammar Details

• *Kathōs*: comparative conjunction - just as
• *gegraptai*: perfect passive indicative, 3rd person singular - it has been written
• *hoti*: conjunction - that
• *Patera*: accusative, masculine, singular - Father
• *pollōn*: genitive, neuter, plural - of many
• *ethnōn*: genitive, neuter, plural - of nations
• *tetheika*: perfect active indicative, 1st person singular - I have made/set
• *se*: accusative, singular, 2nd person pronoun - you
• *katenanti*: preposition - before/in the presence of
• *hou*: genitive, masculine, singular, relative pronoun - of whom
• *episteusen*: aorist active indicative, 3rd person singular - he believed
• *Theou*: genitive, masculine, singular - of God
• *tou zōopoiountos*: genitive, masculine, singular, present active participle - the one making alive
• *tous nekrous*: accusative, masculine, plural - the dead
• *kai*: conjunction - and
• *kalountos*: genitive, masculine, singular, present active participle - calling
• *ta mē onta*: accusative, neuter, plural with negative, present participle - the things not being
• *hōs*: comparative particle - as
• *onta*: accusative, neuter, plural, present active participle - being

Word Meanings

• *gegraptai*: has been written/stands written
• *Patera*: Father/ancestor
• *ethnōn*: nations/peoples/gentiles
• *tetheika*: I have made/set/appointed
• *katenanti*: before/in the presence of/opposite
• *episteusen*: believed/trusted/had faith
• *Theou*: God/deity
• *zōopoiountos*: making alive/giving life/vivifying
• *nekrous*: dead/dead ones
• *kalountos*: calling/naming/inviting
• *onta*: being/existing

Other Translations

• Linguistic Bible Translation from Source Texts

  As it is written: 'I have made you a father of many nations.' He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed—the God who gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were.

• King James Version 1769 (Standard Version)

  (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.

• American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

  {G3754} (as it is written, A father of many nations have I made thee) before him whom he believed, [even] God, who giveth life to the dead, and calleth the things that are not, as though they were.

• King James Version with Strong's Numbers

  (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.

• Tyndale Bible (1526/1534)

  As it is wrytten: I have made the a father to many nacions even before god whom thou hast beleved which quyckeneth the deed and called those thinges which be not as though they were.

• Coverdale Bible (1535)

  As it is wrytten: I haue made the a father of many Heythe before God, whom thou hast beleued: which quyckeneth the deed, and calleth it which is not, that it maye be.

• Geneva Bible (1560)

  (As it is written, I haue made thee a father of many nations) euen before God whom he beleeued, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those thinges which be not, as though they were.

• Bishops' Bible (1568)

  (As it is written, that I haue made thee a father of many nations) before God, whom he beleued, which restoreth the dead vnto life, and calleth those thynges whiche be not, as though they were.

• Authorized King James Version (1611)

  ¶ (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, [even] God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.

• Webster's Bible (1833)

  As it is written, "I have made you a father of many nations." This is in the presence of him whom he believed: God, who gives life to the dead, and calls the things that are not, as though they were.

• Young's Literal Translation (1862/1898)

  who is father of us all (according as it hath been written -- `A father of many nations I have set thee,') before Him whom he did believe -- God, who is quickening the dead, and is calling the things that be not as being.

• American Standard Version (1901)

  (as it is written, A father of many nations have I made thee) before him whom he believed, `even' God, who giveth life to the dead, and calleth the things that are not, as though they were.

• American Standard Version (1901)

  (as it is written, A father of many nations have I made thee) before him whom he believed, [even] God, who giveth life to the dead, and calleth the things that are not, as though they were.

• Bible in Basic English (1941)

  (As it is said in the holy Writings, I have made you a father of a number of nations) before him in whom he had faith, that is, God, who gives life to the dead, and to whom the things which are not are as if they were.

• World English Bible (2000)

  As it is written, "I have made you a father of many nations." This is in the presence of him whom he believed: God, who gives life to the dead, and calls the things that are not, as though they were.

• NET Bible® (New English Translation)

  (as it is written,“I have made you the father of many nations”). He is our father in the presence of God whom he believed– the God who makes the dead alive and summons the things that do not yet exist as though they already do.

Referenced Verses

• 1 Cor 1:28 : 28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, God has chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are:
• John 6:63 : 63 It is the spirit that gives life; the flesh profits nothing: the words that I speak to you, they are spirit, and they are life.
• Gen 17:4-5 : 4 As for me, behold, my covenant is with you, and you shall be a father of many nations. 5 Neither shall your name any more be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made you.
• 1 Pet 2:10 : 10 Who once were not a people, but now are the people of God; who had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
• 2 Pet 3:8 : 8 But, beloved, do not be ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
• Eph 2:1-5 : 1 And you He has made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2 In which in times past you walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now works in the children of disobedience: 3 Among whom also we all had our conduct in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, made us alive together with Christ, (by grace you are saved;)
• Heb 11:7 : 7 By faith Noah, being warned by God of things not yet seen, moved with fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household; by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.
• Heb 11:12 : 12 Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born as many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the seashore innumerable.
• Gen 17:16 : 16 And I will bless her and give you a son also by her; yes, I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of people shall come from her.
• Isa 44:7 : 7 And who, like Me, shall call, and shall declare it, and set it in order for me, since I appointed the ancient people? And the things that are coming, and shall come, let them show to them.
• Isa 49:12 : 12 Behold, these shall come from afar: and, lo, these from the north and from the west; and these from the land of Sinim.
• Isa 55:12 : 12 For you shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace; the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.
• Matt 3:9 : 9 And do not think to say within yourselves, We have Abraham as our father: for I say to you, that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones.
• Rom 3:29 : 29 Or is He the God of the Jews only? Is He not also the God of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also,
• Rom 4:2 : 2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has reason to boast; but not before God.
• Rom 8:11 : 11 But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.
• Rom 8:29-30 : 29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.
• Rom 9:26 : 26 And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said to them, You are not My people, there they shall be called the children of the living God.
• Acts 15:18 : 18 Known to God are all His works from the beginning of the world.
• 1 Cor 15:45 : 45 And so it is written, 'The first man Adam became a living being.' The last Adam became a life-giving spirit.
• Isa 48:13 : 13 My hand also has laid the foundation of the earth, and my right hand has spanned the heavens: when I call to them, they stand up together.
• Gen 17:20 : 20 And as for Ishmael, I have heard you; behold, I have blessed him and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly; twelve princes he shall beget, and I will make him a great nation.
• Gen 25:1-9 : 1 Then again Abraham took a wife, and her name was Keturah. 2 And she bore him Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah. 3 And Jokshan begot Sheba and Dedan. And the sons of Dedan were Asshurim, Letushim, and Leummim. 4 And the sons of Midian were Ephah, Epher, Hanoch, Abida, and Eldaah. All these were the children of Keturah. 5 And Abraham gave all that he had to Isaac. 6 But to the sons of the concubines, which Abraham had, Abraham gave gifts and sent them away from his son Isaac, while he yet lived, eastward, to the east country. 7 These are the days of the years of Abraham's life which he lived: a hundred and seventy-five years. 8 Then Abraham gave up the spirit and died in a good old age, an old man and full of years, and was gathered to his people. 9 And his sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the cave of Machpelah, in the field of Ephron, the son of Zohar the Hittite, which is before Mamre; 10 The field which Abraham purchased from the sons of Heth. There Abraham was buried, and Sarah his wife. 11 And it came to pass after the death of Abraham, that God blessed his son Isaac, and Isaac dwelt by the well Lahai Roi. 12 Now these are the generations of Ishmael, Abraham's son, whom Hagar the Egyptian, Sarah's handmaid, bore to Abraham: 13 And these are the names of the sons of Ishmael, by their names, according to their generations: the firstborn of Ishmael, Nebajoth; then Kedar, Adbeel, and Mibsam, 14 Mishma, Dumah, and Massa, 15 Hadar, Tema, Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah. 16 These are the sons of Ishmael, and these are their names, by their towns and by their castles; twelve princes according to their nations. 17 These are the years of the life of Ishmael: a hundred and thirty-seven years. He gave up the spirit and died, and was gathered to his people. 18 And they dwelt from Havilah to Shur, which is before Egypt, as you go toward Assyria; and he died in the presence of all his brothers. 19 And these are the generations of Isaac, Abraham's son. Abraham begot Isaac. 20 Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah to wife, the daughter of Bethuel the Syrian from Padan Aram, the sister to Laban the Syrian. 21 And Isaac entreated the LORD for his wife, because she was barren. And the LORD was entreated of him, and Rebekah his wife conceived. 22 And the children struggled together within her; and she said, If it is so, why am I this way? So she went to inquire of the LORD. 23 And the LORD said to her, Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples shall be separated from your body; and one people shall be stronger than the other, and the older shall serve the younger. 24 And when her days to be delivered were fulfilled, behold, there were twins in her womb. 25 And the first came out red, all over like a hairy garment; and they called his name Esau. 26 And after that his brother came out, and his hand took hold of Esau's heel; and his name was called Jacob. And Isaac was sixty years old when she bore them. 27 And the boys grew; and Esau was a skilled hunter, a man of the field; and Jacob was a simple man, dwelling in tents. 28 And Isaac loved Esau because he ate of his game, but Rebekah loved Jacob. 29 And Jacob boiled stew, and Esau came from the field, and he was faint. 30 And Esau said to Jacob, Please feed me with that same red stew, for I am faint. Therefore his name was called Edom. 31 And Jacob said, Sell me your birthright as of this day. 32 And Esau said, Behold, I am about to die; and what profit shall this birthright be to me? 33 And Jacob said, Swear to me as of this day; and he swore unto him, and he sold his birthright to Jacob. 34 Then Jacob gave Esau bread and lentil stew; and he ate and drank, and rose up and went his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright.
• Gen 28:3 : 3 And God Almighty bless you, and make you fruitful, and multiply you, that you may be a multitude of people;
• Isa 43:6 : 6 I will say to the north, Give them up; and to the south, Do not hold them back: bring My sons from afar, and My daughters from the ends of the earth;
• 1 Tim 6:13 : 13 I charge you in the sight of God, who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed the good confession;