Romans 11:9-10
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The verse speaks of a table, usually associated with sustenance and fellowship, becoming a snare and trap. This highlights how even the things meant to provide life and security can become instruments of judgment when rejected by God. The inclusion of "recompense" suggests this transformation is a righteous retribution for their actions.
And David says, “Let their table become a snare and a trap, a stumbling block and a retribution for them; let their eyes be darkened so that they cannot see, and bend their backs forever.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul is discussing why Israel, as a nation, largely missed the Messiah, while a remnant found salvation. He's quoting from Psalms 69, a passage often seen as a prophecy about Christ and his rejection, to illustrate how God's favor turned into judgment for many. The Psalm speaks of enemies who offered Christ bitterness and vinegar, and here Paul applies the subsequent imprecation to show how their own blessings and security became the means of their downfall and retribution.
Have you ever felt like your greatest strengths or most cherished possessions became the very things that tripped you up? That's the powerful image Paul paints here.
Paul quotes Psalm 69, applying David's prayer against his enemies to the nation of Israel.
The Table as a Trap
We often think of retribution as punishment, but here it's tied directly to what should have been a blessing. What does that tell us about God's justice?
The psalm, and Paul's application of it, speaks of "recompense" or "retribution." This isn't just arbitrary punishment; it's a consequence that directly relates to their actions and their rejection of God's ultimate provision.
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The Justice of God's "No"
Understand the original words
pagis · Greek Noun
A device, lure, or bait intended to ensnare a person; figuratively used in Scripture to describe that which causes someone to fall into sin or judgment, often unexpectedly.
skandalon · Greek Noun
An impediment or cause of ruin; an obstacle placed in one's path that leads to spiritual fall or apostasy.
antapodoma · Greek Noun
A repayment or recompense, usually referring to just punishment for sins or rejection of God's truth.
Paul quotes Psalm 69, which was originally a prayer against David's enemies. He applies it to the spiritual blindness of many Israelites who, despite their privileged heritage and the blessings of God (symbolized by their 'table'), rejected Jesus, turning what should have been a blessing into a snare leading to judgment.
c. 1000 BC
Davidic Kingdom Established
King David unites Israel and establishes Jerusalem as the capital, a time of national strength and divine favor.
c. 970 BC
Solomon's Temple Built
Solomon, David's son, builds the First Temple in Jerusalem, a central place of worship and national identity.
c. 627-585 BC
Jeremiah Prophesies
The prophet Jeremiah warns Judah of impending judgment due to its unfaithfulness, foreseeing the Babylonian exile.
586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Temple
The Babylonians conquer Jerusalem, destroy the Temple, and exile much of the population, a devastating national catastrophe.
c. 500 BC - 1st Century AD
Exilic and Post-Exilic Period
The Jewish people live in exile or return to rebuild, maintaining their faith and traditions under foreign rule.
c. 40-30 BC
Roman Influence Grows
Rome consolidates its power in the region, leading to increasing political tension and anticipation of a Messiah.
c. AD 27-30— this verse
Jesus' Ministry and Rejection
Jesus proclaims the Kingdom of God, but many Jewish leaders and people reject Him, leading to His crucifixion.
This is the direct source passage Paul is quoting from, showing David invoking judgment on his persecutors, which Paul applies to Israel's rejection of the Messiah.
Deuteronomy 7:10This passage speaks of God repaying those who hate Him, paralleling the idea of 'recompense' in Romans 11:9, though here it's a direct warning rather than an application of an imprecation.
Isaiah 28:13This verse describes God giving the people a 'stammering speech' because they rejected His instruction, highlighting how divine judgment can turn what should be nourishment (like a table) into confusion and stumbling.
Matthew 13:14-15Jesus quotes Isaiah 6:9-10, explaining that Israel's spiritual blindness was a fulfillment of prophecy, similar to how Paul uses the Psalm here to show a judicial hardening.
1 Corinthians 10:11-12Paul warns believers not to fall into the same pattern of disobedience as Israel, reminding them that their privileges and experiences served as warnings, echoing how Israel's 'table' became a snare instead of a blessing.
ellicottRomans 11:9: "And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompence unto them:"
(9) And David saith. —It appears highly improbable that this Psalm was really written by David. Nor can the Davidic authorship be argued strongly from this passage, as “David” merely seems to stand for the Book of Psalms, with which his name was traditionally connected. St. Paul is quoting freely from the LXX. In the original of Psalms 69 these verses refer to the fate…
vincentRomans 11:9: "And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompence unto them:"
David saithPsalm 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.TableRepresenting material prosperity: feasting in wicked security. Some explain of the Jews' presumptuous confidence in the law.Snare (παγίδα)From πήγνυμι to make fast.…
The verse speaks of a table, usually associated with sustenance and fellowship, becoming a snare and trap. This highlights how even the things meant to provide life and security can become instruments of judgment when rejected by God. The inclusion of "recompense" suggests this transformation is a righteous retribution for their actions.
Paul is discussing why Israel, as a nation, largely missed the Messiah, while a remnant found salvation. He's quoting from Psalms 69, a passage often seen as a prophecy about Christ and his rejection, to illustrate how God's favor turned into judgment for many. The Psalm speaks of enemies who offered Christ bitterness and vinegar, and here Paul applies the subsequent imprecation to show how their own blessings and security became the means of their downfall and retribution.
Paul is discussing why Israel, as a nation, largely missed the Messiah, while a remnant found salvation. He's quoting from Psalms 69, a passage often seen as a prophecy about Christ and his rejection, to illustrate how God's favor turned into judgment for many. The Psalm speaks of enemies who offered Christ bitterness and vinegar, and here Paul applies the subsequent imprecation to show how their own blessings and security became the means of their downfall and retribution.
"And David says,
“Let their table become a snare and a trap,
a stumbling block and a retribution for them; let their eyes be darkened so that they cannot see,
and bend their backs forever.”" — The verse speaks of a table, usually associated with sustenance and fellowship, becoming a snare and trap. This highlights how even the things meant to provide life and security can become instrument…
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Last reviewed October 2026