The Meaning of Romans 11:9 Explained

Romans 11:9

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

YLT: and David saith, 'Let their table become for a snare, and for a trap, and for a stumbling-block, and for a recompense to them;

Darby: And David says, Let their table be for a snare, and for a gin, and for a fall-trap, and for a recompense to them:

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

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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

What does Romans 11:9 Mean?

Context Summary

Romans 11:1-12 - A Remnant Saved By Grace
In the worst days of Hebrew apostasy there was always an elect handful that did not go astray after other gods. It was so in the days of Elijah; and it was a comfort to the faithful heart of Paul to believe that, amid the general opposition excited by the preaching of the gospel, there were many secret lovers of the Cross who were true to the Messiah and His claims. Man can never count these quiet, unknown, holy souls, who, like the sweetest wild flowers, can be detected only by the fragrance of their lives. But God counts them, to whose grace and care all that is good in them is due.
The few seek and find, because they stoop to seek in God's predetermined way and along His lines. But when men set themselves against these, they become hardened and overwhelmed by a "spirit of stupor," Romans 11:8, r.v. When Scripture says that God gives them this, it simply means that such state of insensibility is the working out of an inevitable law. But the Apostle cherished the secret hope that the avidity with which the Gentiles were accepting the gospel would, in the mystery of God's providence, have the ultimate effect of bringing the Chosen People back to Him whom their fathers crucified, Romans 11:11. [source]

Chapter Summary: 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

Greek Commentary for Romans 11:9

David says [Δαυειδ λεγει]
From Psalm 69:23; (68:23f, lxx); Psalm 34:8; Psalm 28:4 (combined quotation). [source]
Table [τραπεζα]
For what is on the table, “a feast.” A snare (εις παγιδα — eis pagida). From πηγνυμι — pēgnumi to make fast, old word for snares for birds and beasts. See Luke 21:35. Εις — Eis in predicate with γινομαι — ginomai is a translation-Hebraism. A trap Old word for hunting of wild beasts, then a trap. Only here in N.T. A stumbling-block (εις σκανδαλον — eis skandalon). A third word for trap, snare, trap-stick or trigger over which they fall. See note on 1 Corinthians 1:23; Romans 9:33. A recompense Late word from double compound verb ανταποδιδωμι — antapodidōmi to repay (both αντι — anti and απο — apo). Ancient Greeks used ανταποδοσις — antapodosis In lxx and Didache. In N.T. only here (bad sense) and Luke 14:12 (good sense). [source]
A snare [εις παγιδα]
From πηγνυμι — pēgnumi to make fast, old word for snares for birds and beasts. See Luke 21:35. Εις — Eis in predicate with γινομαι — ginomai is a translation-Hebraism. [source]
A trap [εις τηραν]
Old word for hunting of wild beasts, then a trap. Only here in N.T. A stumbling-block (εις σκανδαλον — eis skandalon). A third word for trap, snare, trap-stick or trigger over which they fall. See note on 1 Corinthians 1:23; Romans 9:33. A recompense Late word from double compound verb ανταποδιδωμι — antapodidōmi to repay (both αντι — anti and απο — apo). Ancient Greeks used ανταποδοσις — antapodosis In lxx and Didache. In N.T. only here (bad sense) and Luke 14:12 (good sense). [source]
A stumbling-block [εις σκανδαλον]
A third word for trap, snare, trap-stick or trigger over which they fall. See note on 1 Corinthians 1:23; Romans 9:33. [source]
A recompense [εις ανταποδομα]
Late word from double compound verb ανταποδιδωμι — antapodidōmi to repay (both αντι — anti and απο — apo). Ancient Greeks used ανταποδοσις — antapodosis In lxx and Didache. In N.T. only here (bad sense) and Luke 14:12 (good sense). [source]
David saith []
Psalm 69:23, Psalm 69:24. It is doubtful whether David was the author. Some high authorities are inclined to ascribe it to Jeremiah. David here may mean nothing more than the book of Psalm. [source]
Table []
Representing material prosperity: feasting in wicked security. Some explain of the Jews' presumptuous confidence in the law. [source]
Snare [παγίδα]
From πήγνυμι tomake fast. The anchor is called παγὶς themaker-fast of the ships. [source]
Trap [θήραν]
Lit., a hunting. Only here in the New Testament, and neither in the Hebrew nor Septuagint. Many render net, following Psalm 35:8, where the word is used for the Hebrew resheth net. No kind of snare will be wanting. Their presumptuous security will become to them a snare, a hunting, a stumbling-block. [source]
A recompense [ἀνταπόδομα]
Substituted by the Septuagint for the Hebrew, to them at ease. It carries the idea of a just retribution. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Romans 11:9

Luke 11:54 To catch something out of his mouth [τηρευσαι το εκ του στοματος αυτου]
An old Greek verb, though here only in the N.T., from τηρα — thēra (cf. Romans 11:9), to ensnare, to catch in hunting, to hunt. These graphic words from the chase show the rage of the rabbis toward Jesus. Luke gives more details here than in Luke 20:45-47; Matthew 23:1-7, but there is no reason at all why Jesus should not have had this conflict at the Pharisee‘s breakfast before that in the temple in the great Tuesday debate. [source]
Luke 19:23 Into the bank [επι τραπεζαν]
Literally, upon a table. This old word τραπεζα — trapeza from τετραπεζα — tetrapeza It means then any table (Mark 7:28), food on the table (Acts 16:34), feast or banquet (Romans 11:9), table of the money-changers (John 2:15; Mark 11:15; Matthew 21:12), or bank as here. Our word bank is from Old English bench.With interest (συν τοκωι — sun tokōi). Not usury, but proper and legal interest. Old word from τικτω — tiktō to bring forth. In the N.T. only here and Matthew 25:27.Should have required it Conclusion of second-class condition the condition or apodosis being implied in the participle “coming” (ελτων — elthōn), and the previous question. On this technical use of πρασσω — prassō (επραχα — epraxa) See note on Luke 3:13. [source]
Luke 19:23 upon a table []
. This old word τραπεζα — trapeza from τετραπεζα — tetrapeza It means then any table (Mark 7:28), food on the table (Acts 16:34), feast or banquet (Romans 11:9), table of the money-changers (John 2:15; Mark 11:15; Matthew 21:12), or bank as here. Our word bank is from Old English bench.With interest (συν τοκωι — sun tokōi). Not usury, but proper and legal interest. Old word from τικτω — tiktō to bring forth. In the N.T. only here and Matthew 25:27.Should have required it Conclusion of second-class condition the condition or apodosis being implied in the participle “coming” (ελτων — elthōn), and the previous question. On this technical use of πρασσω — prassō (επραχα — epraxa) See note on Luke 3:13. [source]
Romans 11:11 Did they stumble that they might fall? [μη επταισαν ινα πεσωσιν]
Negative answer expected by μη — mē as in Romans 11:1. First aorist active indicative of πταιω — ptaiō old verb, to stumble, only here in Paul (see note on James 3:2), suggested perhaps by σκανδαλον — skandalon in Romans 11:9. If ινα — hina is final, then we must add “merely” to the idea, “merely that they might fall” or make a sharp distinction between πταιω — ptaiō to stumble, and πιπτω — piptō to fall, and take πεσωσιν — pesōsin as effective aorist active subjunctive to fall completely and for good. ινα — Hina as we know, can be either final, sub-final, or even result. See note on 1 Thessalonians 5:4; 1 Corinthians 7:29; Galatians 5:17. Paul rejects this query in Romans 11:11 as vehemently as he did that in Romans 11:1. [source]
Colossians 3:24 The recompense [ανταποδοσιν]
“The full recompense,” old word, in lxx, but only here in N.T., but ανταποδομα — antapodoma twice (Luke 14:12; Romans 11:9). Given back Ye serve the Lord Christ (το Κυριωι Χριστωι δουλευετε — to Kuriōi Christōi douleuete). As his slaves and gladly so. Perhaps better as imperatives, keep on serving. [source]
1 Timothy 5:4 To requite [ἀμοιβὰς ἀποδιδόναι]
An entirely unique expression. Ἁμοιβή requitalrecompense is a familiar classical word, used with διδόναι togive, ἀποτιθέναι tolay down, τίνειν topay, ποιεῖσθαι tomake. N.T.oPaul uses instead ἀντιμισθία (Romans 1:27; 2 Corinthians 6:13), or ἀνταπόδομα , (Romans 11:9), or ἀνταπόδοσις (Colossians 3:24). The last two are lxx words. [source]
1 Timothy 3:7 Snare [παγίδα]
Comp. 1 Timothy 6:9; 2 Timothy 2:26. In Paul, Romans 11:9, see note. Both reproach and snare govern διαβόλου. [source]
1 Timothy 3:7 Reproach [ονειδισμον]
Late word from ονειδιζω — oneidizō See note on Romans 15:3. The snare of the devil (παγιδα του διαβολου — pagida tou diabolou). Here subjective genitive, snare set by the devil. Παγις — Pagis old word from πηγνυμι — pēgnumi to make fast. So a snare for birds (Luke 21:35), any sudden trap (Romans 11:9), of sin (1 Timothy 6:9), of the devil (1 Timothy 3:7; 2 Timothy 2:26). Ancients used it of the snares of love. The devil sets special snares for preachers (conceit 1 Timothy 3:6, money 1 Timothy 6:9, women, ambition). [source]
1 Timothy 3:7 The snare of the devil [παγιδα του διαβολου]
Here subjective genitive, snare set by the devil. Παγις — Pagis old word from πηγνυμι — pēgnumi to make fast. So a snare for birds (Luke 21:35), any sudden trap (Romans 11:9), of sin (1 Timothy 6:9), of the devil (1 Timothy 3:7; 2 Timothy 2:26). Ancients used it of the snares of love. The devil sets special snares for preachers (conceit 1 Timothy 3:6, money 1 Timothy 6:9, women, ambition). [source]
2 Timothy 2:26 Out of the snare of the devil [εκ της του διαβολου παγιδος]
They have been caught while mentally intoxicated in the devil‘s snare (1 Timothy 3:7). See note on Romans 11:9 for παγις — pagis Taken captive (εζωγρημενοι — ezōgrēmenoi). Perfect passive participle of ζωγρεω — zōgreō old verb, to take alive (ζωοσ αγρεω — zōosυπ αυτου εις το εκεινου τελημα — agreō), in N.T. only here and Luke 5:10 (of Peter). “Taken captive alive.” By him unto his will This difficult phrase is understood variously. One way is to take both εκεινου — autou and αυτου — ekeinou to refer to the devil. Another way is to take both of them to refer to God. Another way is to take εκεινου — autou of the devil and ekeinou of God. This is probably best, “taken captive by the devil” “that they may come back to soberness to do the will of God.” There are difficulties in either view. [source]

What do the individual words in Romans 11:9 mean?

And David says Let be the table of them for a snare a trap a stumbling block a retribution to them
Καὶ Δαυὶδ λέγει Γενηθήτω τράπεζα αὐτῶν εἰς παγίδα θήραν σκάνδαλον ἀνταπόδομα αὐτοῖς

Δαυὶδ  David 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: Δαβίδ 
Sense: second king of Israel, and ancestor of Jesus Christ.
λέγει  says 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: λέγω 
Sense: to say, to speak.
Γενηθήτω  Let  be 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Imperative Passive, 3rd Person Singular
Root: γίνομαι  
Sense: to become, i.
τράπεζα  table 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Feminine Singular
Root: τράπεζα  
Sense: a table.
αὐτῶν  of  them 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Root: αὐτός  
Sense: himself, herself, themselves, itself.
παγίδα  a  snare 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: παγίς  
Sense: snare, trap, noose.
θήραν  a  trap 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: θήρα  
Sense: a hunting of wild beasts to destroy them.
σκάνδαλον  a  stumbling  block 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Neuter Singular
Root: σκάνδαλον  
Sense: the movable stick or trigger of a trap, a trap stick.
ἀνταπόδομα  a  retribution 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Neuter Singular
Root: ἀνταπόδομα  
Sense: the thing paid back, requital.
αὐτοῖς  to  them 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Dative Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Root: αὐτός  
Sense: himself, herself, themselves, itself.