Lexical Summary nótos: South, south wind Original Word: νότος Strong's Exhaustive Concordance back. Of uncertain affinity; the back -- back. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof uncertain origin Definition the back NASB Translation backs (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 3577: νῶτοςνῶτος, νώτου, ὁ (from root 'to bend,' 'curve,' akin to Latinnatis; Fick i. 128; Vanicek, p. 420), the back: Romans 11:10 from Psalm 68:24 STRONGS NT 3577a: Ξ [Ξ Xi, on its occasional substitution for sigma ς' see Sigma.] Topical Lexicon Physical imagery in biblical thought Scripture often employs bodily terms to express spiritual realities. The “back” evokes the ideas of burden-bearing (Exodus 23:5), submission under a yoke (Jeremiah 27:8), or the turning away of covenant-breakers (Jeremiah 2:27). The single New Testament appearance of νῶτος (Romans 11:10) draws on this rich motif, portraying a people bent beneath the weight of divine judgment. Old Testament background: Psalm 69 Paul’s citation in Romans 11:10 follows the Septuagint wording of Psalm 69:22-23, a psalm of David that shifts from personal lament to imprecatory petition against hardened adversaries. “Make their backs always bend” (LXX) pictures continual servitude and shame. In Israel’s history, bowed backs signified oppression under foreign powers (Nehemiah 9:37) and the heavy yoke of sin (Isaiah 58:6). Paul’s use in Romans 11:10 Romans 11 addresses Israel’s partial hardening and the mystery of Gentile inclusion. After affirming a remnant chosen by grace (Romans 11:5), Paul gathers testimonies from Psalm 69 and Deuteronomy 29. Verse 10 reads, “and bend their backs forever”. The imagery intensifies the diagnosis of judicial hardening: unbelieving Israel is pictured as carrying a crushing load until repentance or the fullness of the Gentiles comes in (Romans 11:25-27). The bowed back therefore functions as a prophetic symbol of disciplined humility meant to prepare for eventual restoration. Theology of divine judgment and hardening 1. Judicial reciprocity: Those who rejected the Messiah are given over to the consequences of their choice (cf. Psalm 81:12; Romans 1:24). Christological implications Where Israel’s back is bent under judgment, Christ bore the ultimate burden, including scourging upon His own back (Isaiah 50:6; John 19:1). The contrast highlights His substitutionary role: He carried the curse so that all who trust Him—Jew and Gentile—might find rest (Matthew 11:28-29). Eschatological outlook Romans 11 anticipates a future lifting of the burden when “all Israel will be saved” (Romans 11:26). The bent back is temporary in God’s covenant design; it yields to upright praise in the coming restoration foretold by prophets like Zechariah 12:10 and Ezekiel 37:14. Pastoral and ministry applications • Intercession: Like Paul, believers labor in prayer for Israel and every hardened heart (Romans 10:1). Historical reception Early fathers such as Chrysostom viewed the bent back as emblematic of Jewish subjection after Christ’s advent, while Reformation commentators emphasized the temporary nature of the hardening in light of Romans 11:26. Modern evangelical scholarship maintains this tension between present judgment and future hope. Related themes for further study Yoke imagery (Matthew 11:29-30), stiff-necked rebellion (Acts 7:51), burdens and sabbath rest (Hebrews 4:9), and the prophetic motif of lifting up the down-trodden (Psalm 146:8). Forms and Transliterations νώτα νώτοι νωτον νώτον νώτόν νῶτον νώτος νώτου νωτοφόρων ξ ξανθίζουσα ξανθιζούσης noton nôton nōton nō̂tonLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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