Bible Strands
Romans 11:9
And David says: “May their table become a snare and a trap, a stumbling block and a retribution to them.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Paul writes to Roman believers about the partial hardening of Israel, quoting David mid-argument to describe divine judgment on unrepentant covenant people. The quotation follows a statement about God giving Israel a spirit of stupor and precedes a prayer for their continued darkening.
The words — τραπεζᾶ (trapeza) means table, and γενήθητω (genēthētō) is a third-person passive imperative meaning "let it become" or "should be." The construction frames the table as an active instrument of judgment rather than a place of fellowship.
The thread — Paul directly cites Psalms 69:22, which originally pronounced a curse on David’s enemies, and anchors it alongside the judgment themes of Psalms 28:4 and Deuteronomy 32:13. The cursed table imagery recurs in prophetic warnings against idolatrous feasting and covenant betrayal.
Why it lands — The text states that shared meals and covenant privileges can become snares and retribution when met with persistent rebellion. It requires readers to recognize that external blessing does not guarantee spiritual security and demands sober vigilance against self-deception.
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
King James Version
And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompence unto them:
Cross-references
- Psalms 69:22 May their table become a snare; may it be a retribution and a trap.
- Psalms 28:4 Repay them according to their deeds and for their works of evil. Repay them for what their hands have done; bring back on them what they deserve.
- Deuteronomy 32:13 He made him ride on the heights of the land and fed him the produce of the field. He nourished him with honey from the rock and oil from the flinty crag,
- 1 Samuel 25:36 When Abigail returned to Nabal, there he was in the house, holding a feast fit for a king, in high spirits and very drunk. So she told him nothing until morning light.
- Job 20:20 Because his appetite is never satisfied, he cannot escape with his treasure.
- Proverbs 1:32 For the waywardness of the simple will slay them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them.
- Isaiah 8:13 The LORD of Hosts is the One you shall regard as holy. Only He should be feared; only He should be dreaded.
- Isaiah 59:18 So He will repay according to their deeds: fury to His enemies, retribution to His foes, and recompense to the islands.
- Luke 12:20 But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be required of you. Then who will own what you have accumulated?’
- Luke 16:19 Now there was a rich man dressed in purple and fine linen, who lived each day in joyous splendor.