λεῖμμα

a remnant, remainder

Definition

λεῖμμα (leimma) means 'a remnant' or 'remainder,' specifically referring to what is left over after a larger part has been removed or used. In the New Testament, it carries the sense of a small, preserved portion, often with theological significance. Its sole biblical occurrence is in Romans 11:5, where it describes the faithful Jewish believers who have accepted Jesus as the Messiah, in contrast to the majority who have not. This usage aligns with the concept of a chosen, surviving group within a broader national or historical context.

Biblical Usage

This word is used only once in the New Testament, in Romans 11:5. Here, the Apostle Paul employs it in a theological argument about God's faithfulness to Israel, stating, 'So too, at the present time there is a remnant (λεῖμμα) chosen by grace.' The context is Paul's discussion of divine election and the continuity of God's promises, using the word to denote the small but significant group of Jewish Christians who constitute the true, spiritual Israel within the nation.

Etymology

Derived from the Greek verb λείπω (leipō), meaning 'to leave' or 'to be lacking.' λεῖμμα is a noun form indicating 'that which is left' or 'a remainder.' It shares a conceptual root with other Greek words for remnant, such as κατάλειμμα (kataleimma) and ὑπόλειμμα (hypoleimma), though λεῖμμα itself is a more general term for what remains.

Semantic Range

This word is theologically significant as it connects to the biblical theme of the 'remnant,' a key concept in both the Old and New Testaments. In Romans 11:5, it underscores God's sovereign grace in preserving a faithful group within Israel, demonstrating that His promises have not failed. Understanding this Greek term enriches the reading of Paul's argument by highlighting the continuity between the faithful remnant of Israel's history (e.g., Isaiah 10:20-22) and the early Jewish church, emphasizing that salvation is always by grace, not ethnic privilege.

In the Greco-Roman world, the term had a general, non-religious meaning for any remainder or leftover portion. However, within the Jewish and early Christian context, it gained a specific theological resonance from the Hebrew concept of the 'she'ar' (remnant), which denoted the faithful minority preserved by God through judgment (as seen in the prophets). Paul's use in Romans deliberately taps into this rich biblical tradition to explain God's ongoing plan for Israel.

κατάλειμμα (kataleimma, G2640) — often used in the Septuagint for the 'remnant' of Israel, emphasizing what is left behind after destruction. ὑπόλειμμα (hypoleimma, G5275) — another synonym for 'remnant,' used in Romans 9:27 quoting Isaiah, with a similar theological force.

Word Details

Scripture References