10 May their eyes be darkened so they cannot see, and their backs be bent forever."[1]

Other Translations of Romans 11:10

King James Version

10 Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway.

English Standard Version

10 let their eyes be darkened so that they cannot see, and bend their backs forever."

The Message

10 I hope they go blind staring in their mirrors, get ulcers from playing at god.

New King James Version

10 Let their eyes be darkened, so that they do not see, And bow down their back always."

New Living Translation

10 Let their eyes go blind so they cannot see, and let their backs be bent forever."

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Romans 11:10

Commentary on Romans 11:1-10

(Read Romans 11:1-10)

There was a chosen remnant of believing Jews, who had righteousness and life by faith in Jesus Christ. These were kept according to the election of grace. If then this election was of grace, it could not be of works, either performed or foreseen. Every truly good disposition in a fallen creature must be the effect, therefore it cannot be the cause, of the grace of God bestowed on him. Salvation from the first to the last must be either of grace or of debt. These things are so directly contrary to each other that they cannot be blended together. God glorifies his grace by changing the hearts and tempers of the rebellious. How then should they wonder and praise him! The Jewish nation were as in a deep sleep, without knowledge of their danger, or concern about it; having no sense of their need of the Saviour, or of their being upon the borders of eternal ruin. David, having by the Spirit foretold the sufferings of Christ from his own people, the Jews, foretells the dreadful judgments of God upon them for it, Psalm 69. This teaches us how to understand other prayers of David against his enemies; they are prophecies of the judgments of God, not expressions of his own anger. Divine curses will work long; and we have our eyes darkened, if we are bowed down in worldly-mindedness.