Romans 11:8
What does Romans 11:8 mean?
A plain-English look at Romans 11:8 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Romans 11:8 means
To explain the hardening, Paul quotes Scripture: God gave them a spirit of stupor—eyes that do not see and ears that do not hear. This describes a judicial consequence: persistent rejection of God leads to spiritual dullness granted by God as judgment. The phrase “unto this very day” underscores its present relevance in Paul’s time. Yet even this judgment serves God’s larger purposes, as the chapter will reveal. The blindness is not total or final, but it is real. These words warn against presumption and call readers to humility, for sight and hearing are gifts of God’s mercy, not native powers we can presume upon.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000according 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611(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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901according 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949As it was said in the holy Writings, God gave them a spirit of sleep, eyes which might not see, and ears which have no hearing, to this day.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862according 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,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752As 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.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890according as it is written,God has given to them a spirit of slumber, eyes not to see, and ears not to hear, unto this day.
Context
Verse 8 provides scriptural proof of the hardening mentioned in verse 7, showing continuity with Israel’s past spiritual condition. It introduces a sober note that is expanded by David’s words in verses 9–10. Together, these citations explain the present state of many in Israel and set up the turn in verse 11, where Paul reveals that this tragic condition is not purposeless but serves God’s design to bring salvation to the Gentiles.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Deuteronomy 29:4
but Jehovah hath not given you a heart to know, and eyes to see, and ears to hear, unto this day.
- Isaiah 29:10
For Jehovah hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep, and hath closed your eyes, the prophets; and your heads, the seers, hath he covered.
- Isaiah 6:9
And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not.
- Mark 4:11
And he said unto them, Unto you is given the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all things are done in parables:
- Acts 28:26
saying, Go thou unto this people, and say, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall in no wise understand; And seeing ye shall see, and shall in no wise perceive:
- Jeremiah 5:21
Hear now this, O foolish people, and without understanding; that have eyes, and see not; that have ears, and hear not:
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