Romans 11:9 - Printer Friendly

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

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

NASB: And David says, 'MAY THEIR TABLE BECOME A SNARE AND A TRAP, AND A STUMBLING BLOCK AND A RETRIBUTION TO THEM.

CSB: And David says, Let their table become a snare and a trap, a pitfall and a retribution to them.

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.

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

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

Paul is quoting from familiar Jewish Scriptures in the Old Testament. His goal is to support the teaching that God gives or withholds understanding about what is true based entirely on His choice. To some, God gives the ability to believe Him and others he "hardens" (Romans 9:18). This is not a concept Paul takes lightly, and much of chapter 9 was given to exploring how this idea fits with the idea of a just, fair Creator.

Now Paul quotes from David's Psalm 69, a psalm that is often described as being about Christ Himself. In that sense, then, the verses quoted here could point to the enemies of Christ. In that way, Paul suggests Psalm 69:22–23 could apply to those Jewish people who have rejected faith in Christ.

Paul then uses David's words to suggest that these Jewish unbelievers would be trapped and tripped up and punished by their own "table" when they think they are at peace. They would be fooled into complacency, although they are in mortal danger. Paul seems to add the idea of a stumbling block to the quote, connecting it to Isaiah 8:14, which he also quoted in Romans 9:33.

Romans 11:1–10 finds Paul insisting that God has not rejected Israel forever, despite her refusal to come to Christ. For one thing, Paul himself and a remnant of Jewish people have trusted in Christ by God's grace. God has hardened the rest of Israel in her unbelief, causing her to trip over the stumbling block that is Jesus Christ. They remain unable, for now, to see that following the law will not bring them to God's righteousness. But the story isn't over.

In Romans 11, Paul concludes his exploration of God's plan for His chosen people Israel. It's true that as a nation, Israel has rejected faith in Christ, but a remnant of Israelites has believed in Jesus. God has hardened the rest in unbelief, but will bring Israel back to faith when enough Gentiles have come to Him through Christ. Then many Israelites will trust in Christ, as well, and God will renew His covenant with His people. Paul concludes this section with a powerful poem or hymn about God's independence and how He is beyond our full comprehension.

Romans 11 concludes Paul's discussion about God's plan for the Israelites begun in Romans 9 and 10. Paul insists that, though Israel as a nation has rejected Christ, a remnant of Jewish Christians exists by God's grace. God has hardened the rest in their unbelief until enough Gentiles have come to Him through Christ. Then God will release Israel to believe in Christ and restore His covenant with her as many individual Jews come to faith in Christ, as well. Paul stands in awe of God's vast and unknowable mind and complete ownership of all things.

The book of Romans is the New Testament's longest, most structured, and most detailed description of Christian theology. Paul lays out the core of the gospel message: salvation by grace alone through faith alone. His intent is to explain the good news of Jesus Christ in accurate and clear terms. As part of this effort, Paul addresses the conflicts between law and grace, between Jews and Gentiles, and between sin and righteousness. As is common in his writing, Paul closes out his letter with a series of practical applications.