A.T. Robertson Commentary Romans 11:16

"And if the firstfruit is holy, so is the lump: and if the root is holy, so are the branches." — Romans 11:16 (ASV)

First fruit (απαρχη). See on 1 Corinthians 15:20,23. The metaphor is from Nu 15:19f. The LXX has απαρχην φυραματος, first of the dough as a heave offering.

The lump (το φυραμα). From which the first fruit came. See on 9:21. Apparently the patriarchs are the first fruit.

The root (η ριζα). 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 9:6f. (the natural and the spiritual).