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Romans 11:10

New Testament Epistle (Pauline) ASV (1901)

What does Romans 11:10 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, And bow thou down their back always.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, And bow thou down their back always.
Romans 11:10 — American Standard Version

Context — Romans 11

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
7What then? that which Israel seeketh for, that he obtained not; but the election obtained it, and the rest were hardened:
8according as it is written, God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear, unto this very day.
9And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, And a stumblingblock, and a recompense unto them:
10Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, And bow thou down their back always.
11I say then, Did they stumble that they might fall? God forbid: but by their fall salvation [is come] unto the Gentiles, to provoke them to jealousy.
12Now if their fall, is the riches of the world, and their loss the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?
13But I speak to you that are Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am an apostle of Gentiles, I glorify my ministry;
← Romans 11:9Romans 11:11 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, etc..] Which is to be understood not literally of their being struck with blindness, as the men of Sodom were by the angels, and as Elymas the sorcerer was by the Apostle Paul; but mystically, of the eyes of their understandings being darkened, as they were by themselves and by Satan, and judicially by God; so that they could not see into the true same of the prophecies and promises concerning Christ; and how all the characters of the Messiah met in Jesus of Nazareth; their eyes were so blinded, that they could see no beauty nor comeliness in him; no excellency in his person, nothing wonderful in his works, nor amiable in his doctrine; nay,…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Let their eyes be darkened . . . and bow down their back alway--expressive either of the decrepitude, or of the servile condition, to come on the nation through the just judgment of God. The apostle's object in making these quotations is to show that what he had been compelled to say of the then condition and prospects of his nation was more than borne out by their own Scriptures. But, SECONDLY, God has not cast away His people finally. The illustration of this point extends, Rom. 11:11-31.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“And David saith ... - This quotation is made from Psalms 69:22-23. This Psalm is repeatedly quoted as having reference to the events recorded in the New Testament. (See the note at Acts 1:2.) This quotation is introduced immediately after one that undoubtedly refers to the Lord Jesus. Psalms 69:21, “they gave me also gall for my meat, and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.” The passage here quoted immediately follows as an imprecation of vengeance for their sins. “Let their table,” etc. The quotation is not made, however, either literally from the Hebrew or from the Septuagint, but the sense only is retained. The Hebrew is, “Let their table before them be for a snare, and for those…”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“their eyes: Rom 11:8, Rom 1:21; Psa 69:23; Zac 11:17; Eph 4:18; Pe2 2:4, Pe2 2:17; Jde 1:6, Jde 1:13 and bow: Deu 28:64-68; Isa 51:23, Isa 65:12 Romans 11:11”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification