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."

◄ Romans 11:8 ►

New International Version
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.”

New Living Translation
As the Scriptures say, “God has put them into a deep sleep. To this day he has shut their eyes so they do not see, and closed their ears so they do not hear.”

English Standard Version
as it is written, “God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that would not see and ears that would not hear, down to this very day.”

Berean Standard Bible
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.”

Berean Literal Bible
as it has been written: "God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes not to see, and ears not to hear, unto this very day."

King James Bible
(According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day.

New King James Version
Just as it is written: “God has given them a spirit of stupor, Eyes that they should not see And ears that they should not hear, To this very day.”

New American Standard Bible
just as it is written: “GOD GAVE THEM A SPIRIT OF STUPOR, EYES TO SEE NOT AND EARS TO HEAR NOT, DOWN TO THIS VERY DAY.”

NASB 1995
just as it is written, “GOD GAVE THEM A SPIRIT OF STUPOR, EYES TO SEE NOT AND EARS TO HEAR NOT, DOWN TO THIS VERY DAY.”

NASB 1977
just as it is written, “GOD GAVE THEM A SPIRIT OF STUPOR, EYES TO SEE NOT AND EARS TO HEAR NOT, DOWN TO THIS VERY DAY.”

Legacy Standard Bible
just as it is written, “GOD GAVE THEM A SPIRIT OF STUPOR, EYES TO SEE NOT AND EARS TO HEAR NOT, DOWN TO THIS VERY DAY.”

Amplified Bible
just as it is written [in Scripture], “GOD GAVE THEM A SPIRIT OF STUPOR, EYES THAT DO NOT SEE AND EARS THAT DO NOT HEAR, [a spiritual apathy that has continued] TO THIS VERY DAY.”

Christian Standard Bible
as it is written, God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that cannot see and ears that cannot hear, to this day.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
as it is written: God gave them a spirit of insensitivity, eyes that cannot see and ears that cannot hear, to this day.

American Standard Version
according 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.

Contemporary English Version
just as the Scriptures say, "God made them so stupid that their eyes are blind, and their ears are still deaf."

English Revised Version
according 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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
as Scripture says, "To this day God has given them a spirit of deep sleep. Their eyes don't see, and their ears don't hear!"

Good News Translation
As the scripture says, "God made their minds and hearts dull; to this very day they cannot see or hear."

International Standard Version
As it is written, "To this day God has put them into deep sleep. Their eyes do not see, and their ears do not hear."

Majority Standard Bible
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.”

NET Bible
as it is written, "God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that would not see and ears that would not hear, to this very day."

New Heart English Bible
According as it is written, God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear, to this very day.

Webster's Bible Translation
(According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) to this day.

Weymouth New Testament
And so Scripture says, "God has given them a spirit of drowsiness--eyes to see nothing with and ears to hear nothing with--even until now."

World English Bible
According as it is written, “God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear, to this very day.”

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
according as it has been written: “God gave to them a spirit of deep sleep, eyes not to see, and ears not to hear, to this very day,”

Berean Literal Bible
as it has been written: "God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes not to see, and ears not to hear, unto this very day."

Young's Literal Translation
according as it hath been written, 'God gave to them a spirit of deep sleep, eyes not to see, and ears not to hear,' -- unto this very day,

Smith's Literal Translation
(As has been written, God gave them the spirit of mortal pain, eyes not to see, and earn not to hear;) even to this day.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
As it is written: God hath given them the spirit of insensibility; eyes that they should not see; and ears that they should not hear, until this present day.

Catholic Public Domain Version
just as it was written: “God has given them a spirit of reluctance: eyes that do not perceive, and ears that do not hear, even until this very day.”

New American Bible
as it is written: “God gave them a spirit of deep sleep, eyes that should not see and ears that should not hear, down to this very day.”

New Revised Standard Version
as it is written, “God gave them a sluggish spirit, eyes that would not see and ears that would not hear, down to this very day.”

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
As it is written, God has given them a stubborn spirit, eyes that cannot see, and ears that cannot hear, to this very day.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
According to what is written: “God gave them a spirit of frustration, and eyes that will not observe and ears that will not hear”, even until today?

NT Translations

Anderson New Testament
as it is written: God has given them a spirit of stupor, eyes with which they can not see, and ears with which they can not hear.

Godbey New Testament
as has been written, God has given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear, unto this day.

Haweis New Testament
as it is written, “God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear; unto this present day.”

Mace New Testament
as it is written, "God hath given them up to a state of insensibility, so that their eyes could not see, and their ears could not hear."

Weymouth New Testament
And so Scripture says, "God has given them a spirit of drowsiness--eyes to see nothing with and ears to hear nothing with--even until now."

Worrell New Testament
as it has been written, "God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear, unto this day."

Worsley New Testament
(according as it is written, God hath given them a spirit of slumber, that their eyes could not see and their ears could not hear,) even unto this day.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

The Remnant of Israel
…7What then? What Israel was seeking, it failed to obtain, but the elect did. The others were hardened, 8as 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.” 9And David says: “May their table become a snare and a trap, a stumbling block and a retribution to them.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Isaiah 29:10
For the LORD has poured out on you a spirit of deep sleep. He has shut your eyes, O prophets; He has covered your heads, O seers.

Deuteronomy 29:4
Yet to this day the LORD has not given you a mind to understand, eyes to see, or ears to hear.

Matthew 13:14-15
In them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled: ‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving. / For this people’s heart has grown callous; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them.’

Isaiah 6:9-10
And He replied: “Go and tell this people, ‘Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.’ / Make the hearts of this people calloused; deafen their ears and close their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed.”

John 12:39-40
For this reason they were unable to believe. For again, Isaiah says: / “He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, so that they cannot see with their eyes, and understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them.”

Acts 28:26-27
‘Go to this people and say, “You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.” / For this people’s heart has grown callous; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them.’

2 Corinthians 3:14-15
But their minds were closed. For to this day the same veil remains at the reading of the old covenant. It has not been lifted, because only in Christ can it be removed. / And even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts.

Psalm 69:22-23
May their table become a snare; may it be a retribution and a trap. / May their eyes be darkened so they cannot see, and their backs be bent forever.

1 Thessalonians 2:16
hindering us from telling the Gentiles how they may be saved. As a result, they continue to heap up their sins to full capacity; the utmost wrath has come upon them.

2 Thessalonians 2:11-12
For this reason God will send them a powerful delusion so that they believe the lie, / in order that judgment may come upon all who have disbelieved the truth and delighted in wickedness.

Ezekiel 12:2
“Son of man, you are living in a rebellious house. They have eyes to see but do not see, and ears to hear but do not hear, for they are a rebellious house.

Mark 4:12
so that, ‘they may be ever seeing but never perceiving, and ever hearing but never understanding; otherwise they might turn and be forgiven.’”

Luke 8:10
He replied, “The knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to others I speak in parables, so that, ‘though seeing, they may not see; though hearing, they may not understand.’

Jeremiah 5:21
“Hear this, O foolish and senseless people, who have eyes but do not see, who have ears but do not hear.

Hebrews 3:7-8
Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says: “Today, if you hear His voice, / do not harden your hearts, as you did in the rebellion, in the day of testing in the wilderness,

Treasury of Scripture

(According as it is written, God has given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) to this day.

God.

Isaiah 29:10
For the LORD hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep, and hath closed your eyes: the prophets and your rulers, the seers hath he covered.

slumber.

Deuteronomy 29:4
Yet the LORD hath not given you an heart to perceive, and eyes to see, and ears to hear, unto this day.

Isaiah 6:9
And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not.

Jeremiah 5:21
Hear now this, O foolish people, and without understanding; which have eyes, and see not; which have ears, and hear not:

unto this day.

2 Kings 17:34,41
Unto this day they do after the former manners: they fear not the LORD, neither do they after their statutes, or after their ordinances, or after the law and commandment which the LORD commanded the children of Jacob, whom he named Israel; …

2 Corinthians 3:14,15
But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ…

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Romans 11

1. God has not cast off all Israel.
7. Some were elected, though the rest were hardened.
16. There is hope of their conversion.
18. The Gentiles may not exult over them;
26. for there is a promise of their salvation.
33. God's judgments are unsearchable.

Berean Study Bible

as it is written
This phrase indicates that Paul is referencing the Old Testament, grounding his argument in the Hebrew Scriptures. The phrase underscores the continuity and fulfillment of God's word throughout the Bible. It reflects the Jewish tradition of citing Scripture to validate a point, showing that the New Testament is deeply rooted in the Old Testament. This connection emphasizes the unchanging nature of God's word and His sovereign plan throughout history.

God gave them
The phrase highlights God's active role in the spiritual condition of Israel. The Greek word for "gave" (ἔδωκεν, edōken) suggests a deliberate act of God. This can be challenging to understand, but it reflects the biblical theme of divine sovereignty. God, in His wisdom and justice, allows certain conditions to persist for His greater purposes. This is not to suggest that God is unjust, but rather that His ways are higher than ours, and His plans are ultimately for the good of those who love Him.

a spirit of stupor
The term "stupor" (κατανύξεως, katanuxeōs) implies a state of spiritual insensitivity or dullness. This condition is not merely physical but deeply spiritual, indicating a lack of awareness or responsiveness to God's truth. Historically, this reflects Israel's repeated disobedience and rejection of God's prophets, culminating in their rejection of Christ. It serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of hardening one's heart against God.

eyes that could not see
This phrase metaphorically describes spiritual blindness. The inability to see is not due to a lack of evidence or revelation but a willful rejection of it. In the biblical context, seeing often symbolizes understanding and acceptance of God's truth. The historical context includes Israel's failure to recognize Jesus as the Messiah despite the clear signs and prophecies fulfilled in Him.

and ears that could not hear
Similar to the previous phrase, this describes a spiritual deafness. Hearing in the Bible often represents obedience and receptivity to God's word. The Greek word for "hear" (ἀκούειν, akouein) implies not just the act of hearing but understanding and responding. This condition reflects a persistent refusal to heed God's message, as seen throughout Israel's history.

to this very day
This phrase indicates the ongoing nature of Israel's spiritual condition at the time of Paul's writing. It suggests that the state of spiritual stupor was not just a past event but continued into the present. This continuity serves as a warning and a call to repentance, emphasizing the urgency of turning back to God. It also highlights the patience and long-suffering of God, who continues to hold out His hands to a disobedient people, as Paul later elaborates in Romans 11.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(8) The spirit of slumber.--This phrase, again, has a curious history. Etymologically, the word translated "slumber" would seem to agree better with the marginal rendering, "remorse." It comes from a root meaning to "prick or cut with a sharp instrument." There happens to be another root somewhat similar, but certainly not connected, which means "drowsiness," "slumber." Hence, where the word in the text has been used to render the Hebrew word for "slumber," it has been thought that there was a confusion between the two. It appears, however, from the LXX. usage, that the sense of "slumber" had certainly come to attach to the word here used by St. Paul. From the notion of a sharp wound or blow came to be derived that of the bewilderment or stupefaction consequent upon such a blow, and hence it came to signify stupor in general.

The quotation is a free combination of two passages of the LXX. (Isaiah 29:10, and Deuteronomy 29:4), no doubt put together by the Apostle from memory.

Pulpit Commentary

Verses 8-10. - According as it is written, God gave them a spirit of slumber (rather, stupor. The word is κατανύξις, cited from Isaiah 29:10 in the LXX. Cf. Psalm 60:3, where the LXX. has οῖνον κατανύξεως. It is from the verb which means κατανύσσειν, properly "to prick" (see Acts 2:37, κατενύγησαν τῇ καρδίᾳ). The noun seems to have got its sense as above from the idea of a pricking shock, causing stupefaction), eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear, unto this day. And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumbling-block, and a recompense unto them. Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway. The references in ver. 8 are a combination of Deuteronomy 29:3 and Isaiah 29:10, quoted freely from the LXX.; that in ver. 9 is to Psalm 69:23, 24, also quoted freely. (For similar combination and free quotation of texts, so as to bring out Old Testament ideas, cf. Romans 3:10-19; Romans 9:32, 33.) It is not necessary that the passages here referred to should be regarded as directly prophetic of the time of Christ. It is enough for the purpose of the argument that God's people should be shown to be liable to the state of stupefaction described, without ceasing to be his people. And so the thought, which has been in view all along, is now taken up, of the present hardening of Israel as a nation not being intended to be permanent.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Greek

as
καθὼς (kathōs)
Conjunction
Strong's 2531: According to the manner in which, in the degree that, just as, as. From kata and hos; just as, that.

it is written:
γέγραπται (gegraptai)
Verb - Perfect Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1125: A primary verb; to 'grave', especially to write; figuratively, to describe.

“God
Θεὸς (Theos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316: A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.

gave
Ἔδωκεν (Edōken)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1325: To offer, give; I put, place. A prolonged form of a primary verb; to give.

them
αὐτοῖς (autois)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

a spirit
πνεῦμα (pneuma)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 4151: Wind, breath, spirit.

of stupor,
κατανύξεως (katanyxeōs)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 2659: From katanusso; a prickling, i.e. (perhaps by some confusion with neuo or even with nux) stupor.

eyes
ὀφθαλμοὺς (ophthalmous)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3788: The eye; fig: the mind's eye. From optanomai; the eye; by implication, vision; figuratively, envy.

that
τοῦ (tou)
Article - Genitive Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

could not see,
βλέπειν (blepein)
Verb - Present Infinitive Active
Strong's 991: (primarily physical), I look, see, perceive, discern. A primary verb; to look at.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

ears
ὦτα (ōta)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3775: (a) the ear, (b) met: the faculty of perception. Apparently a primary word; the ear.

that
τοῦ (tou)
Article - Genitive Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

could not hear,
ἀκούειν (akouein)
Verb - Present Infinitive Active
Strong's 191: To hear, listen, comprehend by hearing; pass: is heard, reported. A primary verb; to hear.

to
ἕως (heōs)
Preposition
Strong's 2193: A conjunction, preposition and adverb of continuance, until.

this very day.”
σήμερον (sēmeron)
Adverb
Strong's 4594: Today, now. Neuter of a presumed compound of the article ho and hemera; on the day; generally, now.

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NT Letters: Romans 11:8 According as it is written God gave (Rom. Ro)