Albert Barnes Commentary Romans 11:9

"And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, And a stumblingblock, and a recompense unto them:" — Romans 11:9 (ASV)

And David says, etc. This quotation is made from Psalm 69:22-23. This psalm is repeatedly quoted as having reference to the events recorded in the New Testament. (See Barnes on Acts 1:20).

This quotation is introduced immediately after one that undoubtedly refers to the Lord Jesus. Romans 11:21, "They gave me also gall for my meat, and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink." The passage here quoted immediately follows as an imprecation of vengeance for their sins: "Let their table," etc.

The quotation is not made, however, either literally from the Hebrew or from the Septuagint, but the sense only is retained. The Hebrew is, "Let their table before them be for a snare, and for those at peace let it be for a gin." The Septuagint is, "Let their table before them be for a snare, and for a stumbling-block, and for an offence." The ancient Targum is, "Let their table which they had prepared before me be for a snare, and their sacrifices be for an offence."

The meaning is this: The word table denotes food. In this they expected pleasure and support. David prays that what they expected to bring joy and refreshment might prove to them the means of punishment and righteous retribution.

A snare is that by which birds or wild beasts are taken. They are decoyed into it, or walk or fly carelessly into it, and it is sprung suddenly on them. So it was with the Jews. The petition is that while they were seeking refreshment and joy, and anticipating no danger at their table, it might be made the means of their ruin.

The only way in which this could be done would be that their temporal enjoyments would lead them away from God and produce stupidity and indifference to their spiritual interests.

This is often the result of the pleasures of the table, or of seeking sensual gratifications. The apostle does not say whether this prayer was right or wrong.

The use which he seems to make of it is this: David's imprecation was to be regarded in the light of a prophecy; what he prayed for would come to pass, and this had actually occurred in the time of the apostle. Their very enjoyments, their national and private privileges, had been the means of alienating them from God, had been a snare to them, and were the cause of their blindness and infidelity.

This is also introduced in the psalm as a punishment for giving him vinegar to drink; and their treatment of the Messiah was the immediate cause why all this blindness had come upon the Jews.

A trap: This properly means anything by which wild beasts are taken in hunting. The word snare more properly refers to birds.

And a stumbling block: Anything over which one stumbles or falls. Hence, it means anything that causes us to sin or to ruin ourselves.

And a recompense: The Hebrew word translated "that which should have been for their welfare" is capable of this meaning and may denote their recompense, or that which is appropriately rendered to them. It means, here, that their ordinary comforts and enjoyments, instead of promoting their permanent welfare, may be the occasion of their guilt and ruin.

This is often the effect of earthly comforts. They might lead us to God and should excite our gratitude and praise, but they are often abused, leading to our spiritual slumber and guilt, and becoming the occasion of our ruin.

The rich are thus often most forgetful of God; the very abundance of their blessings becomes the means of darkness of mind, ingratitude, prayerlessness, and ruin. Satisfied with them, they forget the Giver; and while they enjoy many earthly blessings, God sends barrenness into their souls.

This was the guilt of Sodom: "pride, and fullness of bread, and abundance of idleness" (Ezekiel 16:49). Against this, Moses solemnly warned the Jews (Deuteronomy 6:11–12; Deuteronomy 8:10–12).

This same caution might be extended to the people of this land, especially to those who are rich and blessed with all that their hearts have wished.

From the use the apostle makes of this passage in the Psalms, it is clear that he regarded it rather as a prophetic denunciation for their sins—a prediction of what would be—than as a prayer. In his time it had been fulfilled.

The very national privileges of the Jews, on which they so much prided themselves and which might have been such great blessings, were the occasion of their greater sin in rejecting the Messiah and of their greater condemnation. Thus, their table was made a trap, etc.