Romans 11:16

First fruit (aparch). See on 1 Corinthians 15:20 1 Corinthians 15:23 . The metaphor is from Numbers 15:19 . The LXX has aparchn puramato, first of the dough as a heave offering. The lump (to purama). From which the first fruit came. See on Numbers 9:21 . Apparently the patriarchs are the first fruit. The root (h riza). Perhaps Abraham singly here. The metaphor is changed, but the idea is the same. Israel is looked on as a tree. But one must recall and keep in mind the double sense of Israel in Numbers 9:6 . (the natural and the spiritual).