Why does Paul quote from the Old Testament in Romans 11:10? Romans 11:10—Paul’s Use of Psalm 69:22-23 The Passage “Let their eyes be darkened so that they cannot see, and their backs be bent forever.” (Romans 11:10) Immediate Literary Context Romans 9–11 forms a carefully-structured argument on Israel’s past election, present hardening, and future restoration. In 11:7-10 Paul explains why many Israelites remain unbelieving while a remnant believes. He supports his claim by chaining together Old Testament texts (Deuteronomy 29:4; Isaiah 29:10; Psalm 69:22-23) to demonstrate that this hardening was foreseen by God and recorded in Scripture. Source Identification Romans 11:9-10 quotes Psalm 69:22-23 almost verbatim from the Septuagint (LXX). Psalm 69 is a Davidic, messianic lament repeatedly applied to the Messiah in the New Testament (cf. John 2:17; 15:25; Acts 1:20; Matthew 27:34). By choosing this psalm Paul links Israel’s treatment of Jesus—the ultimate Son of David—to the psalm’s prophetic pattern of rejection and resulting judgment. Why Paul Quotes This Psalm 1. To Ground His Argument in Scriptural Authority For a first-century audience steeped in Tanakh, citing Scripture settles a point. Paul’s appeal shows that Israel’s spiritual stupor is not a new theological construct but an already-written element of redemptive history. 2. To Demonstrate God’s Judicial Hardening Psalm 69 petitions God to turn the persecutors’ blessings (“table”) into curses. Paul appropriates the psalm to illustrate that God has, for a time, answered that prayer toward unbelieving Israel: the very covenant privileges (table of fellowship, sacrificial system, festivals) became a “snare” when they trusted rituals instead of the Messiah those rituals foreshadowed. 3. To Underscore the Concept of Remnant and Election Hardening is partial and purposeful—“until the fullness of the Gentiles comes in” (11:25). By citing a psalm that also contains pleas for vindication and future deliverance (69:35-36), Paul hints that judgment is not the last word; restoration follows. 4. To Employ Typological, Christ-Centered Hermeneutics David’s suffering prefigures Christ’s. Those who persecuted David/Christ typologically represent unbelieving Israel. Citing the psalm hermeneutically unites David’s experience, Jesus’ passion, and Israel’s present blindness under one redemptive pattern. 5. To Warn Gentile Believers Against Boasting If covenant insiders can be hardened, grafted-in Gentiles must not become arrogant (11:18-22). The psalm’s severe language underscores that divine judgment spares no one who rejects grace. Exegesis of Psalm 69:22-23 • “Table”—in ancient Near-Eastern culture a symbol of fellowship and abundance. • “Snare…trap…stumbling block”—metaphors for unexpected judgment. • “Eyes darkened”—idiom for spiritual blindness. • “Backs bent”—picture of continual servitude and burden, echoing exile imagery. The psalm moves from personal lament to imprecation against enemies, then closes with hope (69:35-36). Paul lifts the imprecatory section to show present judgment, yet his larger argument echoes the psalm’s closing note of future blessing for Zion. Hermeneutical Method Paul follows standard rabbinic string-of-pearls (haraz) exegesis: multiple texts with a common theme are stitched to form a composite proof. Using the Greek LXX aids his mixed Jewish-Gentile audience in Rome, many of whom read Greek Scriptures in synagogue (cf. Acts 18:4). Theological Implications • Sovereignty and Responsibility—God judicially hardens, yet individuals freely reject (11:20). • Unity of Scripture—Law (Deuteronomy), Prophets (Isaiah), Writings (Psalms) jointly testify, underscoring the cohesive canon. • Missional Urgency—Israel’s stumbling opens a door for Gentile salvation (11:11-12), fulfilling Genesis 12:3. Common Objections Addressed • “Is Paul anti-Jewish?” No. He anguishes for Israel (9:1-3), anticipates her salvation (11:26), and cites her Scriptures as ultimate authority. • “Is the quotation out of context?” No. New Testament authors routinely read Psalms messianically based on thematic correspondence sanctioned by Jesus Himself (Luke 24:44). Practical Takeaways 1. Privilege without faith can harden, not help. 2. Scripture interprets contemporary events; believers should read culture through the biblical lens. 3. God’s judgments are purposeful, moving history toward mercy and restoration. Conclusion Paul cites Psalm 69 in Romans 11:10 to authenticate, explain, and warn—showing that Israel’s current blindness fulfills Scripture, advances the Gentile mission, and anticipates a future national awakening, all within God’s unified redemptive plan. |
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