• Romans 11:3
    The Kingdom Interlinear Translation of the Greek Scriptures

    • 3 Κύριε, Lord, τοὺς the προφήτας prophets σου of you ἀπέκτειναν, they killed, τὰ the θυσιαστήριά altars σου of you κατέσκαψαν, they dug down, κἀγὼ and I ὑπελείφθην was left under μόνος, alone, καὶ and ζητοῦσιν they are seeking τὴν the ψυχήν soul μου. of me.

  • Romans Study Notes—Chapter 11
    New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures (Study Edition)

    • 11:3

      Jehovah: Paul is here quoting from 1Ki 19:10, 14, where the prophet Elijah addresses Jehovah God. In the original Hebrew text, the divine name is represented by four Hebrew consonants (transliterated YHWH). Paul abbreviates the quote and changes the order of some sentences. He also adds a direct personal address at the beginning of the quote, showing that these words were directed to God. Available Greek manuscripts use a form of the word Kyʹri·os (Lord), but “Jehovah” is here used in the main text because in the context of the words that Paul is quoting, as well as in other contexts, Elijah consistently addresses Jehovah, using His personal name. (1Ki 17:20, 21; 18:36, 37; 19:4) So the Hebrew Scripture background of this quote supports the view that Kyʹri·os was substituted for the divine name. Also, a number of translations of the Christian Greek Scriptures into Hebrew use the divine name here.​—See App. C3 introduction; Ro 11:3.

      my life: Here the Greek word psy·kheʹ, rendered “soul” in some Bible translations, refers to a person’s life. The expression trying to take my life (lit., “seeking my soul”) can also be rendered “trying [wanting] to kill me.” This expression reflects wording used in the Hebrew Scriptures, such as at 1Ki 19:10, 14, from which Paul quotes.​—Ex 4:19, ftn.; 1Sa 20:1, ftn.; see Glossary, “Soul.”