Romans 11:8

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."

Parallel Translations

Simplified Cowboy Version
The Good Book says, "After all God did for them, he finally turned 'em loose to their own devices. He shut their eyes like the blind and closed their ears like the deaf."

New American Standard Bible (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."

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."

Bible in Basic English
As 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.

Darby Translation
according 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.

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 .

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."

Wesley's New Testament (1755)
According as it is written, God hath given them a spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear, unto this day.

Weymouth's 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."

King James Version (1611)
According as it is written, God hath giuen them the spirit of slumber: eyes that they should not see, and eares that they should not heare vnto this day.

Literal Translation
even as it has been written, "God gave to them a spirit of slumber, eyes not seeing and ears not hearing" until this day. Isa. 29:10; Deut. 29:4

Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
As it is wrytten: God hath geuen them the sprete of vnquyetnesse, eyes that they shulde not se, and eares that they shulde not heare, eue vnto this daye.

Mace New Testament (1729)
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."

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."

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.

Revised Standard Version
as it is written, "God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that should not see and ears that should not hear, down to this very day."

Tyndale New Testament (1525)
accordynge as it is written: God hath geven the the sprete of vnquyetnes: eyes that they shuld not se and eares that they shuld not heare even vnto this daye.

Update Bible Version
according to 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.

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,

New Century Version
As it is written in the Scriptures: "God gave the people a dull mind so they could not understand." Isaiah 29:10 "He closed their eyes so they could not see and their ears so they could not hear. This continues until today." Deuteronomy 29:4

New English Translation
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. "

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."

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

Complete Jewish Bible
just as the Tanakh says, "God has given them a spirit of dullness — eyes that do not see and ears that do not hear, right down to the present day."

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."

Geneva Bible (1587)
According as it is written, God hath giuen them the spirit of slumber: eyes that they should not see, and eares that they should not heare vnto this day.

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

Hebrew Names 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, to this very day."

International Standard Version
As it is written,Deuteronomy 29:4; Isaiah 6:9; 29:10; Jeremiah 5:21; Ezekiel 12:2; Matthew 13:14; John 12:40; Acts 28:26-27;">[xr] "To this day God has given them a spirit of deep sleep. Their eyes do not see, and their ears do not hear."Deuteronomy 29:4; Isaiah 29:10">[fn]

Etheridge Translation
As it is written, Aloha hath given them the spirit of trouble, [fn] And eyes that see not, and ears that hear not, until the present day.

Murdock Translation
- (as it is written: God gave them a stupid spirit, and eyes to see not, and ears to hear not,) unto this very day.

New King James Version
Just as it is written: "God has given them a spirit of stupor,Eyes that they should not seeAnd ears that they should not hear,To this very day." Deuteronomy 29:4; Isaiah 29:10 ">[fn]

New Life Bible
The Holy Writings say this about them, "God gave them hearts and minds that want to sleep. He gave them eyes that could not see. To this very day He gave them ears that could not hear."

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.

New Revised Standard
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."

J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Even as it is written - God hath given unto them a spirit of stupor, - eyes not to see, and ears not to hear, - until this very day;

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.

King James Version
(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.

Lexham English Bible
just as it is written, "God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that do not see and ears that do not hear, until this very day."

Bishop's Bible (1568)
Accordyng as it is written: God hath geuen them the spirite of remorse, eyes that they shoulde not see, and eares that they shoulde not heare, euen vnto this day.

Easy-to-Read Version
As the Scriptures say, "God caused the people to fall asleep." "God closed their eyes so that they could not see, and he closed their ears so that they could not hear. This continues until now."

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."

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

Wycliffe Bible (1395)
As it is writun, God yaf to hem a spirit of compunccioun, iyen that thei se not, and eeris, that thei here not, in to this dai.

Contextual Overview

¹ I ask, then, has God rejected his own people, the nation of Israel? Of course not! I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham and a member of the tribe of Benjamin. ² No, God has not rejected his own people, whom he chose from the very beginning. Do you realize what the Scriptures say about this? Elijah the prophet complained to God about the people of Israel and said, ³ " Lord , they have killed your prophets and torn down your altars. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me, too." ⁴ And do you remember God's reply? He said, "No, I have 7,000 others who have never bowed down to Baal!" ⁵ It is the same today, for a few of the people of Israel have remained faithful because of God's grace—his undeserved kindness in choosing them. ⁶ And since it is through God's kindness, then it is not by their good works. For in that case, God's grace would not be what it really is—free and undeserved. ⁷ So this is the situation: Most of the people of Israel have not found the favor of God they are looking for so earnestly. A few have—the ones God has chosen—but the hearts of the rest were hardened. ⁸ 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." ⁹ 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. ¹⁰ Let their eyes go blind so they cannot see, and let their backs be bent forever."

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

God: Isaiah 29:10

slumber: or, remorse

eyes: Deuteronomy 29:4, Isaiah 6:9, Jeremiah 5:21, Ezekiel 12:2, Mark 4:11, Mark 4:12, Luke 8:10, Acts 28:26

unto this day: 2 Kings 17:34, 2 Kings 17:41, 2 Corinthians 3:14, 2 Corinthians 3:15

Reciprocal: Exodus 4:21 - I will harden Exodus 14:4 - harden Leviticus 26:39 - and also Job 17:4 - General Psalms 69:22 - Let their table Isaiah 44:18 - for he hath Daniel 12:10 - but the wicked Matthew 11:25 - because Matthew 12:45 - Even Matthew 13:14 - the prophecy Mark 8:18 - see Luke 10:13 - for Luke 11:34 - but John 10:26 - because John 12:40 - hath Acts 13:27 - because Romans 3:10 - As it is Romans 9:18 - will he Romans 11:10 - their eyes Romans 11:25 - blindness 1 John 4:6 - and

Cross-References

Genesis 10:25
Eber had two sons. The first was named Peleg (which means "division"), for during his lifetime the people of the world were divided into different language groups. His brother's name was Joktan.

Genesis 10:32
These are the clans that descended from Noah's sons, arranged by nation according to their lines of descent. All the nations of the earth descended from these clans after the great flood.

Genesis 11:4
Then they said, "Come, let's build a great city for ourselves with a tower that reaches into the sky. This will make us famous and keep us from being scattered all over the world."

Genesis 11:9
That is why the city was called Babel, because that is where the Lord confused the people with different languages. In this way he scattered them all over the world.

Genesis 49:7
A curse on their anger, for it is fierce; a curse on their wrath, for it is cruel. I will scatter them among the descendants of Jacob; I will disperse them throughout Israel.

Deuteronomy 32:8
When the Most High assigned lands to the nations, when he divided up the human race, he established the boundaries of the peoples according to the number in his heavenly court.

Luke 1:51
His mighty arm has done tremendous things! He has scattered the proud and haughty ones.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

According as it is written,.... In Isaiah 29:10 which passages the apostle seems to refer to, though it is not exactly word for word as here, yet the sense is the same:

God hath given them the spirit of slumber; or of stupidity and insensibility, so that they were as persons in a deep sleep; their senses locked up, without any knowledge of, or concern about, the danger they were in; having no sense of sin, or of the need of a Saviour; or of their being upon the borders of eternal ruin and damnation, or of any ways and means to escape it; but careless and secure, as persons fast asleep in the midst of the sea, or upon the top of a mast, who, when stricken and beaten, feel it not; but if by jogging are awaked at all, immediately return to sleep again, and so sleep the sleep of eternal death:

eyes that they should not see; which being closed by the deep sleep and stupidity of mind they were judicially given up to, could see no beauty in Christ, wherefore they should desire him; none of the glories and excellencies of his person, blood, righteousness, and sacrifice; noticing amiable and agreeable in his Gospel, and the truths of it; nor had they any light in the prophets of the Old Testament, which were so remarkably fulfilled in him; their minds were blinded, a vail was upon their hearts, and which remains to this day:

and ears that they should not hear; for persons in a sleep, as their eyes are closed that they cannot see, so their ears are stopped that they cannot hear: and thus it was with these Jews, the awful judgment being upon them; they were uncircumcised in heart and ears; they were like the deaf adder, stopping their ears to the charming voice of Christ in the Gospel; and being given up in a judicial way, could neither understand his speech, nor hear his word: and this spirit of stupidity and insensibility, as it appeared in the times of Isaiah, so it continued

unto this day; the then present time, in which the apostle lived; and has continued ever since, at least in part, and will until the fulness of the Gentiles is brought in. These passages, with some others following, are produced by the apostle out of their own prophets, to take off their resentment against him; and lest, he should be thought to be severe upon them, when he said no more of them, but what had been prophesied long before concerning them. So Jarchi on Isaiah 29:10; says, that Isaiah prophesies על פושעי ישראל, "concerning the transgressors of Israel".

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

According as it is written - That is, they are blinded in accordance with what is written. The fact and the manner accord with the ancient declaration. This is recorded in Isaiah 29:10, and in Deuteronomy 29:4. The same sentiment is found also substantially in Isaiah 6:9-10. The principal place referred to here, however, is doubtless 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 hath he covered.” The quotation is not however literally made either from the Hebrew or the Septuagint; but the sense is preserved. The phrase “according as” means upon the same principle, or in the same manner.

God hath given - Expressions like this are common in the Scriptures, where God is represented as having an agency in producing the wickedness and stupidity of sinners; see Romans 9:17-18; see the Matthew 13:15 note; Mark 4:11-12 note; see also 2 Thessalonians 2:11. This quotation is not made literally. The Hebrew in Isaiah is, God has poured upon them the spirit of slumber. The sense, however, is retained.

The spirit of slumber - The spirit of slumber is not different from slumber itself. The word “spirit” is often used thus. The word “slumber” here is a literal translation of the Hebrew. The Greek word, however κατανύξεως katanuxeōs, implies also the notion of compunction, and hence in the margin it is rendered “remorse.” It means any emotion, or any influence whatever, that shall benumb the faculties, and make them insensible. Hence, it here means simply insensibility.

Eyes that they should not see ... - This expression is not taken literally from any single place in the Old Testament; but expresses the general sense of several passages; Isaiah 6:10; Deuteronomy 29:4. It denotes a state of mind not different from a spirit of slumber. When we sleep, the eyes are insensible to surrounding objects, and the ear to sounds. Though in themselves the organs may be perfect, yet the mind is as though they were not; and we have eyes which then do not see, and ears which do not hear. Thus, with the Jews. Though they had all the proper faculties for understanding and receiving the gospel, yet they rejected it. They were stupid and insensible to its claims and its truths.

Unto this day - Until the day that Paul wrote. The characteristic of the Jews that existed in the time of Isaiah. existed also in the time of Paul. It was a trait of the people; and their insensibility to the demands of the gospel developed nothing new in them.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse Romans 11:8. God hath given them the spirit of slumber — As they had wilfully closed their eyes against the light, so God has, in judgment, given them up to the spirit of slumber. The very word and revelation of God, which should have awakened their consciences, and opened their eyes and ears, have had a very different effect; and because they did not receive the truth in the love thereof, that which would otherwise have been the savour of life unto life, has become the savour of death unto death; and this continues to the present day.