Romans 11:8 Meaning and Explanation
“(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.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Paul cites Scripture describing a stupor that left eyes unseeing and ears unhearing, a condition persisting to his own day.
What Does Romans 11:8 Mean?
Drawing on the words of Moses and Isaiah, Paul shows that this dullness is not a new problem but a long-standing one written into Israel's own Scriptures. The phrase unto this day stretches that ancient description into the present moment.
Scripture often describes a heart turned away as eyes that cannot see and ears that cannot hear. The image is sobering: persistent resistance can dull the soul's perception. Yet because this is foretold, it does not lie outside God's knowledge or His power to heal, and the chapter will show His purpose running underneath.
Romans 11:8 in the Original Language
katanyxis (κατάνυξις), 'slumber' -- a deep stupor or numbness, a dulling of spiritual perception.
Frequently Asked Questions About Romans 11:8
What does Romans 11:8 mean?
Paul cites Scripture describing a stupor that left eyes unseeing and ears unhearing, a condition persisting to his own day.