Romans 11:10

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

Berean Standard Bible

Study note

Setting — Paul addresses the Roman believers in chapter 11 while explaining the current spiritual state of Israel. He continues his quotation of David from verse 9 to describe the consequences of national unbelief.

The words — σκοτισθήτωσαν (skotisthētōsan) literally means "should be darkened," and βλέπειν (blepein) means "to see." These terms form the opening clause of the quoted curse regarding spiritual blindness.

The thread — Paul quotes Psalm 69:23 verbatim in this verse. The immediate context in Romans 11 connects this quotation to the temporary hardening of Israel and the subsequent opportunity for Gentile salvation.

Why it lands — The text states that eyes are darkened and backs are bent as a result of rejecting divine revelation. A reader must note that this condition is not permanent, as the surrounding verses explicitly state Israel's stumble does not lead to irreversible ruin.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

σκοτισθήτωσανskotisthētōsanshould be darkened οἱhoithe ὀφθαλμοὶophthalmoieyes αὐτῶνautōnof them τοῦtou<the>μὴmēnot βλέπειν,blepeinto see,καὶkaiand τὸνtonthe νῶτονnōtonbacks αὐτῶνautōnof them διὰdiafor παντὸςpantosall [times]σύγκαμψον.¶sugkampsondo bend over.

King James Version

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

Cross-references

Psalms 69:23 May their eyes be darkened so they cannot see, and their backs be bent forever.
Deuteronomy 28:64 Then the LORD will scatter you among all the nations, from one end of the earth to the other, and there you will worship other gods, gods of wood and stone, which neither you nor your fathers have known.
Romans 1:21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts.
Romans 11:8 as it is written: “God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that could not see, and ears that could not hear, to this very day.”
Ephesians 4:18 They are darkened in their understanding and alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardness of their hearts.
2 Peter 2:4 For if God did not spare the angels when they sinned, but cast them deep into hell, placing them in chains of darkness to be held for judgment;
Isaiah 65:12 I will destine you for the sword, and you will all kneel down to be slaughtered, because I called and you did not answer, I spoke and you did not listen; you did evil in My sight and chose that in which I did not delight.”
Zechariah 11:17 Woe to the worthless shepherd, who deserts the flock! May a sword strike his arm and his right eye! May his arm be completely withered and his right eye utterly blinded!”
2 Peter 2:17 These men are springs without water and mists driven by a storm. Blackest darkness is reserved for them.
Jude 1:6 And the angels who did not stay within their own domain but abandoned their proper dwelling—these He has kept in eternal chains under darkness, bound for judgment on that great day.