Romans 11 9

Romans 11:9 kjv

And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompence unto them:

Romans 11:9 nkjv

And David says: "Let their table become a snare and a trap, A stumbling block and a recompense to them.

Romans 11:9 niv

And David says: "May their table become a snare and a trap, a stumbling block and a retribution for them.

Romans 11:9 esv

And David says, "Let their table become a snare and a trap, a stumbling block and a retribution for them;

Romans 11:9 nlt

Likewise, David said, "Let their bountiful table become a snare,
a trap that makes them think all is well.
Let their blessings cause them to stumble,
and let them get what they deserve.

Romans 11 verses

Romans 11 9 Meaning

The verse speaks of a prophetic pronouncement about Israel's hardening. It states that a specific psalm foretold this divine allowance for hardening. Those who are seeking God would find Him, while the others, whose hearts were already set against Him, would not experience His favor. This hardening is presented as a foreknown event, embedded within sacred scripture itself, pointing to a sovereign purpose.

Romans 11 9 Context

This verse is situated within Romans 11, a chapter dedicated to understanding Israel's place in God's plan, particularly concerning their rejection of Jesus as the Messiah. Paul is demonstrating that Israel's unbelief was not a negation of God's promises but a fulfillment of prophecy, leading to the inclusion of Gentiles. The hardening of Israel, which allows for the Gentile inclusion, is understood here not as a haphazard event, but as a foreknown and prophesied consequence of their persistent rejection of God’s offers of salvation through Messiah. This explanation serves to preemptively answer any potential objections about God abandoning His people, emphasizing instead His overarching plan of salvation for all humanity, including a future restoration for Israel.

Romans 11 9 Word analysis

• as (ὥσπερ - hōsper): "as," "even as," "just as." It introduces a comparison or statement of fact, pointing to the prophetic fulfillment found in the Psalms.
• it is written (γέγραπται - gegraptai): A passive participle of γράφω (graphō), meaning "to write." It emphasizes the authoritative and divinely inspired nature of the Old Testament Scripture, signifying that the following statement originates from a written, authoritative source.
• let (γενηθήτω - genēthētō): This is the aorist passive imperative of γίνομαι (ginomai), meaning "to become" or "to happen." Here, it signifies a divine decree or permissive will, a prayerful prophetic statement that God would allow or cause this to happen.
• their table (ἡ τράπεζα αὐτῶν - hē trapeza autōn): "table" (trapeza) refers to a place of sustenance and fellowship. The phrase signifies their provision, their gatherings for meals, their spiritual sustenance and communion.
• a snare (εἰς παγίδα - eis pagida): "snare" (pagis) is a trap, a bait set to catch. It implies something alluring but deadly, leading to capture.
• and (καὶ - kai): A conjunction connecting words or clauses.
• a trap (εἰς σκάνδαλον - eis skandalon): "trap" (skandalon) can refer to a snare, but here, paired with "stumblingblock," it implies something that causes others to fall or deviate from the path, often something offensive.
• and (καὶ - kai): Another connector.
• a retribution (εἰς ἀνταπόδομα - eis antapodoma): "retribution" (antapodoma) means repayment, recompense, or reward. In this negative context, it signifies a deserved punishment or consequence for their actions.
• for them (αὐτοῖς - autois): The dative case of αὐτός (autos), meaning "they" or "them." It indicates to whom the snare, trap, and retribution are directed.
• may their eyes (τῶν ὀφθαλμῶν αὐτῶν - tōn ophthalmōn autōn): "eyes" (ophthalmos) refers to the organ of sight. The genitive case suggests possession or that which belongs to them.
• be darkened (σDarkened – σκοτασθῶσιν - skotasthōsin): The aorist passive subjunctive of σκοτίζω (skotizō), meaning "to darken," "to obscure," or "to blind." It indicates a passive experience of impaired vision, an inability to see clearly, especially spiritually. The subjunctive mood suggests it’s part of the prophetic decree or wish.
• so that (εἰς τὸ - eis to): Introduces a result clause.
• they may not see (μὴ βλέπωσιν - mē blēpōsin): "not see" (mē blēpōsin) uses the negative particle mē (prohibiting or preventing) with the present subjunctive of βλέπω (blépō), meaning "to see." It indicates a state of being unable to perceive or comprehend. The subjunctive form is governed by the result clause.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• "Let their table become a snare and a trap, and a stumbling block and a retribution for them;": This entire phrase is a quote from Psalm 69:22-23, with some slight modification in the Greek Old Testament (Septuagint). The "table" represents their sustenance, sustenance that will paradoxically become the very means of their entrapment and punishment. The spiritual "food" (like religious rituals or covenant blessings without faith) becomes a source of downfall.
• "and their eyes be darkened, so that they cannot see.": This continues the quote from Psalm 69. It describes a divine hardening, an intentional spiritual blindness, preventing them from understanding spiritual truths or recognizing the Messiah, leading to their stumbling.

Romans 11 9 Bonus section

The application of "their table" becoming a "snare" can be understood in the context of the Mosaic Law and religious practices. For those who engaged in these outwardly without the inward faith in Christ, these very rituals, intended for blessing and guidance, could become a stumbling block, leading them to trust in their own performance rather than God’s grace in Christ. This verse highlights a crucial theological concept: God’s judgment can involve leaving people to the consequences of their own chosen blindness and unbelief, allowing what was meant for good to become a source of ruin for the hardened heart. The prophecies cited here are significant as they reveal the consistency of God’s message and judgment across the Old and New Testaments.

Romans 11 9 Commentary

This verse asserts that Israel’s spiritual blindness and stumbling in rejecting Messiah were not unforeseen or unscripted. Paul draws from the Psalms (specifically Psalm 69:22-23, as rendered in the Septuagint, with echoes in Deuteronomy 32:35) to show that a prophetic declaration existed concerning this very outcome. Their own means of sustenance and fellowship (their "table") would become a source of their ruin, and their spiritual sight would be deliberately impaired. This aligns with the principle of God’s sovereignty where, in response to persistent rejection, He can allow or decree a state of spiritual blindness, causing their pursuit of religious activities without true faith to become an instrument of their downfall and condemnation. This hardening serves a divine purpose in God’s redemptive plan.