Romans 11 10

Romans 11:10 kjv

Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway.

Romans 11:10 nkjv

Let their eyes be darkened, so that they do not see, And bow down their back always."

Romans 11:10 niv

May their eyes be darkened so they cannot see, and their backs be bent forever."

Romans 11:10 esv

let their eyes be darkened so that they cannot see, and bend their backs forever."

Romans 11:10 nlt

Let their eyes go blind so they cannot see,
and let their backs be bent forever."

Romans 11 verses

Romans 11 10 Meaning

This verse declares a divine curse upon those who would seek to bring Israel back to a state of understanding or faith in God through misleading means or through emphasizing blindness rather than an opening of eyes to God's truth. The blindness referred to is spiritual blindness, not necessarily a physical inability to see. This implies a judgment that would render their efforts ineffective and further entrench them in spiritual darkness.

Romans 11 10 Context

Romans chapter 11 discusses God's faithfulness to Israel. Despite Israel's temporary stumbling and rejection of Jesus as the Messiah, God has not cast them off entirely. Paul explains that a remnant of Israel accepted Christ, and their rejection allowed Gentiles to be grafted into God's covenant blessings. Verse 10 follows the discussion of Israel's "stumbling" (Rom 11:11), explaining the divine consequences for that persistent unbelief. The "their" in this verse refers back to unbelieving Israel, who, due to their hardened hearts and rejection of God's truth, will experience continued spiritual blindness and inability to find the way to righteousness.

Romans 11 10 Word Analysis

• "Be": This verb indicates a state or condition. It suggests that their blindness is a result and a continuing state.
• "blinded": (Greek: skōlops - meaning "a stake," but used metaphorically in some contexts, or related to typhloo meaning "to blind," "darken"). The context implies a divine infliction or allowance of spiritual dullness.
• "their": Refers specifically to unbelieving Israel in this context, those who did not accept Jesus.
• "eyes": (Greek: ophthalmos) Refers to their spiritual perception, their ability to see and understand divine truth, especially concerning Christ.
• "that": Indicates a result or consequence.
• "they": Refers back to the subject, unbelieving Israel.
• "may": Signifies purpose or possibility, indicating God's permissive will for their blindness to persist in their hardened state.
• "not": A negation, emphasizing the lack of ability.
• "see": (Greek: horao) Again refers to spiritual discernment and comprehension, not just physical sight.
• "and": Connects the two clauses, indicating both blindness and stumbling as consequences.
• "for ever": (Greek: eis to pantelon) or eis ekdikēsin meaning "unto vengeance/retribution" depending on manuscript tradition. If it means "forever," it points to the duration of the spiritual darkness. If it means "unto vengeance," it highlights the punitive aspect of this blindness. The most widely accepted reading here relates to prolonged or perpetual dimming, leading to further stumbling.
• "for": Indicates the reason for the previous statement.
• "stumble": (Greek: skapidzo from skalops, meaning "a stick," "beam," "pole." Can mean to trip or to cause to stumble). In a spiritual sense, it means to fail to grasp, to misinterpret, and to fall away from the right path of righteousness through Christ.

Word Group Analysis:

• "Let their eyes be darkened": This phrase conveys a state of spiritual incomprecision imposed by God upon those who willfully reject Him and His Son. It's not about God actively causing blindness to those who earnestly seek but rather confirming the blindness of those who have shut their eyes.
• "and bind their backs" / "cause them to stumble": This illustrates the practical outcome of spiritual blindness. They are hindered in their spiritual progress, unable to navigate the path of faith correctly, leading to consistent failures and falls away from true righteousness. The intent of the "binding" or "stumbling" is often in service of God's sovereign purposes, as seen in Isaiah's prophecy.

Romans 11 10 Bonus Section

The application of Old Testament imprecatory psalms to the rejection of the Messiah is a common Pauline method. Paul demonstrates that the rejection of Jesus was not an unforeseen event but part of a larger divine plan, including the judicial hardening of those who actively resisted God's offers of salvation through Christ. This hardening serves the greater purpose of the Gentile inclusion into God's kingdom, before eventual restoration for Israel. It highlights the sovereign God's ability to use even human sin and rebellion to accomplish His perfect will, bringing about salvation in ways that humble human pride.

Romans 11 10 Commentary

This verse is a quotation from Psalm 69:23, one of the imprecatory psalms where David cries out for divine judgment upon his enemies. Paul applies these words prophetically to the collective spiritual condition of Israel's leadership and populace that rejected Jesus. It underscores that while God's plan is for salvation, there are severe consequences for prolonged, deliberate rejection of His truth. The blindness mentioned is a judgment that ensures they do not perceive the truth of the Gospel. This spiritual inability to "see" Christ as the Messiah and to "stumble" on Him (as Paul explained in Romans 9:32-33) is presented as a divinely permitted consequence for their spiritual hardness and rejection of Him, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies.