(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.

ROMANS 11:8KJV
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Romans 11:8 (KJV)

What does Romans 11:8 mean?

Romans 11:8 says that God has allowed some people to become spiritually unresponsive, giving them a "spirit of slumber," so that they do not see or hear the truth, and this condition has lasted up to Paul's own time. The verse points out that this spiritual dullness is not new, but something that has continued for generations.

Paul is writing to believers in Rome, explaining why many in Israel have not accepted Jesus as the Messiah. He quotes earlier Scripture to show that this spiritual insensitivity—described as a "spirit of slumber," blindness, and deafness—was something God allowed as part of a bigger plan. Paul wants his readers to understand that this is not a surprise or a failure, but something that fits into God's ongoing story with His people.

The Greek behind Romans 11:8

  • "πνεῦμα" (pneuma, G4151) means "spirit" and here refers to an attitude or condition, not a literal being. The phrase "spirit of slumber" suggests a deep, God-allowed unawareness or apathy toward spiritual truth.
  • "κατανύξεως" (katanuxis, G2659) is translated "slumber" and often means a state of deep sleep or numbness. This word paints a picture of people being so unresponsive that they are like someone in a stupor, unable to react or perceive what is happening around them.
  • "ὀφθαλμοὺς" (ophthalmous, G3788) means "eyes," and "ὦτα" (ōta, G3775) means "ears." The verse uses these words to show that the people have the physical ability to see and hear, but spiritually, they are not perceiving or understanding.
  • "ἕως τῆς σήμερον ἡμέρας" (heōs tēs sēmeron hēmeras, G2193, G4594, G2250) means "unto this day," stressing that this spiritual condition has continued right up to the time Paul is writing.

Why Romans 11:8 matters

  • Romans 11:8 clears up the idea that Israel’s lack of response to the gospel was unexpected or outside of God’s control; Paul shows it was something already spoken about in Scripture.
  • The verse emphasizes that spiritual blindness can be both a human and a divine reality—people may resist, but God can also allow a hardening for a time.
  • This verse helps set up Paul’s larger argument in Romans 11, where he explains that Israel’s current state is not final, and God’s plan still includes hope for their future.

Where else these words appear

“ears” Greek G3775 · used in 35 verses

  • Matthew 10:27 What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops.
  • Luke 1:44 For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.
  • 1 Corinthians 2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

“this” Greek G4594 · used in 40 verses

  • Matthew 6:11 Give us this day our daily bread.
  • Luke 13:32 And he said unto them, Go ye, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures to day and to morrow, and the third day I shall be perfected.
  • Acts 26:2 I think myself happy, king Agrippa, because I shall answer for myself this day before thee touching all the things whereof I am accused of the Jews:

“eyes” Greek G3788 · used in 86 verses

  • Matthew 5:29 And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
  • Luke 6:42 Either how canst thou say to thy brother, Brother, let me pull out the mote that is in thine eye, when thou thyself beholdest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to pull out the mote that is in thy brother's eye.
  • Acts 9:40 But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up.

“should” Greek G991 · used in 119 verses

  • Matthew 5:28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.
  • Luke 10:23 And he turned him unto his disciples, and said privately, Blessed are the eyes which see the things that ye see:
  • 1 Corinthians 8:9 But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.