ḥsd and
the Gentiles
Each quotation in Rom 15:9–12 includes the plural of ethnos
(MT: gwym; “nations”/“Gentiles”). First, a psalmist (cf. Christ)
praises yhwh/God among the nations/Gentiles
(Ps 18:50 MT [17:50 LXX]; Rom 15:9). Psalm 18:51 MT (17:51 LXX) indicates that
this is because yhwh does ḥsd (LXX:
eleos) to his anointed one (his “Christ”). Next, the nations/Gentiles
rejoice with yhwh/God’s people (Deut 32:43 LXX; Rom 15:10). Deuteronomy 32:43
indicates that this is connected with avenging the blood of his
servant(s)/son(s). Then, all the peoples and nations/Gentiles praise yhwh / the Lord (Ps 117:1 [116:1 LXX];
Rom 15:11). Psalm 117:2 (116:2 LXX) states that this is because of his
superior/strengthened ḥsd (LXX: eleos) and abiding ʾmt (LXX:
alētheia). Finally, the nations/Gentiles will hope in “the root of
Jesse” (“a messianic designation”; Isa 11:10 LXX; Rom 15:12).
The two Psalms quotations in the Rom 15 series point to
evidence that the relationship between eleos (MT: ḥsd) and ethnos
(MT: gwym), emphasized in verse 9, already existed in the scriptural
tradition. Thus, while ḥsd is usually associated with God’s covenant
people, God’s choice of Israel as his people “always had this wider call in
view.” None of these Scriptures explicitly claims that the Gentiles become
members of the covenant people, but God has called Gentiles to be among the
vessels of eleos (cf. ḥsd; Rom 9:23–24), Gentiles have become
possessors of eleos (Rom 11:31), and the “Israel of God,” on whom Paul
invokes a blessing of eleos, is composed of “as many as will follow” the
rule of new creation (Gal 6:16). Therefore, Leslie Allen’s claim seems
appropriate: “Israel’s would- be hired choristers were destined eventually to
become their partners in faith in the international religion of the NT.” (Karen
Nelson, ḥesed and the New Testament:
An Intertextual Categorization Study [University Park, Pa.: Eisenbrauns,
2023], 97-98)
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