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 10 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Isa 6:9–10 | “Go, and say to this people: ‘Keep on hearing, but do not understand...lest they see with their eyes and understand..." | God hardens hearts and blinds eyes to truth. |
| Jer 5:21 | Hear this, you foolish and senseless people, who have eyes but do not see, who have ears but do not hear. | A call to attention for those with spiritual blindness. |
| Matt 13:13–15 | “This is why I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear..." | Jesus explains parables reveal/conceal based on faith. |
| Jn 12:39–41 | Therefore they could not believe. For again Isaiah said, “He has blinded their eyes and hardened their heart...” | Isaiah's prophecy applied to unbelief in Jesus. |
| Acts 28:26–27 | “‘You will indeed hear but never understand, and you will indeed see but never perceive... lest they turn..." | Paul applies Isaiah 6:9-10 to the Jews in Rome. |
| 2 Cor 3:14–15 | But their minds were hardened... a veil lies over their heart when they read the old covenant. | Veil preventing understanding of Christ in the Old Cov. |
| Eph 4:18 | They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them... | Spiritual ignorance leads to estrangement from God. |
| Deut 29:4 | But to this day the Lord has not given you a heart to understand, or eyes to see, or ears to hear. | Divine judgment for past unbelief. |
| Ps 69:22–23 | Let their table become a snare... Let their eyes be darkened, so that they cannot see, and make their loins tremble... | The source psalm, calling for judgment on enemies. |
| Rom 9:18 | So then he has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills. | God's sovereignty in showing mercy or hardening. |
| Rom 1:28 | And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind... | Divine judgment as "giving over" to sinful desires. |
| 2 Thes 2:11–12 | Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false... | God's judgment allows belief in lies due to rejecting truth. |
| Ex 7:3 | But I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and though I multiply my signs and wonders... | God actively hardens Pharaoh's heart. |
| Prov 1:24–26 | Because I have called and you refused... I also will laugh at your calamity... | Consequences of ignoring wisdom's call. |
| Isa 29:10 | For the Lord has poured out upon you a spirit of deep sleep, and has closed your eyes... | Prophecy of spiritual slumber. |
| Lam 5:5 | Our neck is under pursuit; we labor and have no rest. | Metaphorical heavy yoke and constant burden. |
| Jer 28:14 | For I will break the yoke of the king of Babylon... | A metaphor for physical/political subjugation (opposite). |
| Gal 5:1 | For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. | The "bent back" represents a "yoke of slavery" (Law). |
| Ps 81:6 | “I relieved their shoulders of the burden; their hands were freed from the basket." | God's liberation from burdensome servitude. |
| 1 Pet 2:8 | They stumble because they disobey the word, as is also their appointed destiny. | Disobedience leads to stumbling and judgment. |
| Dan 12:10 | Many shall purify themselves and make themselves white and be refined, but the wicked shall act wickedly. None of the wicked shall understand, but those who are wise shall understand. | The wise understand, the wicked do not. |
| Rev 3:17–18 | ...You do not know that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold... salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. | Call for those who are spiritually blind to see Christ. |
Romans 11 verses
Romans 11 10 Meaning
This verse conveys a solemn declaration of God's judicial judgment against those who have persistently rejected His truth, specifically applied to unbelieving Israel in its historical context. It describes a spiritual incapacitation: their understanding is obscured, preventing them from perceiving divine light and truth. Furthermore, it speaks of a state of continuous subjugation, servitude, or oppression, symbolizing the heavy burden of living apart from God's grace and under the weight of the Law without its spiritual fulfillment. This pronouncement highlights the severe consequences of resisting divine revelation, resulting in a loss of spiritual discernment and enduring spiritual burden.
Romans 11 10 Context
Romans 11:10 is a quote from Psalm 69:23, applied by Paul to the spiritual condition of unbelieving Israel. Immediately prior, Paul asserts that "the rest were hardened" (Rom 11:7) and attributes this to God, drawing on Isaiah 29:10 and Deuteronomy 29:4 in Romans 11:8. Chapters 9-11 of Romans address the ongoing mystery of Israel's rejection of Christ and God's faithfulness to His covenant promises. Paul explains that while a remnant of Israel has believed, the majority experienced a hardening that resulted in their inability to recognize their Messiah. This hardening, though originating from God's judicial act, was not absolute or final for all, serving God's larger redemptive purpose of bringing salvation to the Gentiles (Rom 11:11-12, 25-26). The historical context is an imprecatory psalm of David, appealing for divine justice against his enemies, which Paul now applies by divine inspiration to the national spiritual blindness of many Jews of his time, as a consequence of their persistent rejection of Christ.
Romans 11 10 Word analysis
- Let their eyes be darkened (Greek: skotisthetōsan hoi ophthalmous autōn):
- skotisthetōsan (σκοτισθήτωσαν): Aorist passive imperative of skotizō. "Be darkened" or "let them be darkened." The passive voice with the imperative suggests a command or a divine allowance for a state to come upon them. It indicates a judicial act by God, not merely a natural consequence. This blinding is not literal physical blindness, but spiritual and intellectual, making one incapable of perceiving spiritual truth.
- hoi ophthalmous (οἱ ὀφθαλμούς): "The eyes." Figuratively represents the spiritual faculty of understanding, insight, and perception. Inability to see with "the eyes" here means inability to understand spiritual truths about God and His plan.
- so that they will not see (Greek: tou mē blepein):
- tou mē blepein (τοῦ μὴ βλέπειν): Infinitive of purpose, indicating the result or aim of the darkening. It directly follows and reinforces the consequence of darkened eyes—they become incapable of seeing (perceiving/understanding) divine revelation.
- and bend their backs (Greek: kai ton nōton autōn sygkampson):
- kai (καί): "And." Connects this second aspect of judgment to the first.
- ton nōton autōn (τὸν νῶτον αὐτῶν): "Their back." The back is associated with carrying burdens, labor, and posture of servitude or submission. To "bend the back" is an idiom for being subjugated, oppressed, burdened, or placed in a state of continuous heavy labor or humiliation. It contrasts with an upright posture of dignity or freedom.
- sygkampson (σύγκαμψον): Aorist imperative of sygkamptō. "Bend down," "bow down," "subjugate." This implies a lasting posture of servitude, humiliation, or oppressive weight, potentially under the burden of the unfulfilled Law or under God's ongoing judgment.
- forever (Greek: dia pantos):
- dia pantos (διὰ παντός): "Through all," "at all times," "always," "forever." This stresses the enduring, ongoing nature of the judgment described. It suggests a sustained condition rather than a temporary affliction.
Romans 11 10 Bonus section
The judicial hardening and spiritual blindness described in Romans 11:10 are critical to understanding Paul's broader argument in Romans 9-11. This "stumbling" of Israel was not absolute; a remnant was saved, and the hardening was partial (Rom 11:25) and temporary in its overarching purpose. This temporary blindness enabled the spread of the Gospel to the Gentiles, bringing "riches for the world" (Rom 11:11-12). Paul's lament and concern for Israel were genuine, but he saw God's sovereign hand orchestrating even their rejection for a greater, redemptive plan that ultimately promises future restoration for Israel itself (Rom 11:26). Therefore, while Rom 11:10 speaks of a severe judgment, it is nested within a narrative of hope and the expansive, unfailing mercy of God that ultimately encompasses both Jew and Gentile.
Romans 11 10 Commentary
Romans 11:10 delivers a poignant statement about the divine judicial hardening experienced by those who consistently reject God's truth. Drawing from Psalm 69, Paul applies this ancient imprecation to his contemporary unbelieving Israel. The darkening of their eyes signifies a divinely inflicted spiritual inability to perceive the light of the gospel, leading to an ignorance that is a consequence of their chosen resistance. This is not arbitrary, but a judgment against a people who "keep on hearing, but do not understand" (Isa 6:9). Furthermore, "bending their backs forever" illustrates a state of perpetual burden and servitude, either under the unfulfilled demands of the Law (from which Christ sets free) or under the weight of divine disapproval and alienation from God's saving grace. The term "forever" underscores the duration of this judicial hardening for that specific group, marking it as a sustained consequence. This verse thus speaks to the severe and enduring consequences of spiritual rejection, highlighting God's justice in delivering up those who refuse His invitation to spiritual discernment and freedom.