Albert Barnes Commentary Romans 11:8

"according as it is written, God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear, unto this very day." — Romans 11:8 (ASV)

According as it is written. That is, they are blinded in accordance with what is written. The fact and the manner accord with the ancient declaration. This is recorded in Isaiah 29:10, and in Deuteronomy 29:4. The same sentiment is found also substantially in Isaiah 6:9-10. The principal place referred to here, however, is doubtless Isaiah 29:10:

"For the Lord hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep,
and hath closed your eyes; the prophets and your
rulers hath he covered."

The quotation is not, however, literally made either from the Hebrew or the Septuagint; but the sense is preserved. The phrase "according as" means, upon the same principle, or in the same manner.

God hath given. Expressions like this are common in the Scriptures, where God is represented as having an agency in producing the wickedness and stupidity of sinners. See Romans 9:17-18. See also the notes on Matthew 13:16; Mark 4:11; Mark 4:12; and 2 Thessalonians 2:11.

This quotation is not made literally. The Hebrew in Isaiah is, God has poured upon them the spirit of slumber. The sense, however, is retained.

The spirit of slumber. The spirit of slumber is not different from slumber itself. The word spirit is often used thus. The word slumber here is a literal translation of the Hebrew. The Greek word, however, (katanuxewv), implies also the notion of compunction; and hence in the margin it is rendered remorse. It means any emotion, or any influence whatever, that shall benumb the faculties, and make them insensible. Hence it here means simply insensibility.

Eyes that they should not see, etc. This expression is not taken literally from any single place in the Old Testament but expresses the general sense of several passages, Isaiah 6:10 and Deuteronomy 29:4. It denotes a state of mind not different from a spirit of slumber.

When we sleep, the eyes are insensible to surrounding objects, and the ear to sounds. Though in themselves the organs may be perfect, yet the mind is as though they were not; and we have eyes which then do not see, and ears which do not hear.

Thus it was with the Jews. Though they had all the proper faculties for understanding and receiving the gospel, yet they rejected it. They were stupid and insensible to its claims and its truths.

Unto this day. Until the day that Paul wrote. The characteristic of the Jews that existed in the time of Isaiah, existed also in the time of Paul. It was a trait of the people; and their insensibility to the demands of the gospel developed nothing new in them.