Commentary on Romans, Biblical exegesis 1 · Chapter 11 · Section 3 · Subsection 11
11. Quest. Of the meaning of those words, Let their table be made a snare, &c. v. 9.
1. Concerning the place here cited out of Psal. 69. v. 22. Origen obserueth, that the Apostle doth not tie himselfe to so many words: for some he addeth, as foreign, for a net or trappe, which neither the Hebrew, nor the Septuagint hauehave: and some he omitteth, as coram ipsis, before them: so also Erasmus: but Beza obserueth, that this latter is not omitted, for vntounto them, is equivalent, to before them: further, both Martyr, Beza, Pareus, Calvin, thinke, that the Hebrew word lishlomius, signifieth pacifica, their prosperous things, which the Septuagint read, foreign, for a retribution: as though the word were leshillomi…, retributions: but Iunius and Pagnine doe there interpret the world lishlomin…, retributions; because of the preposition lamed, being set before, which signifieth for a recompence, or retribution.
2. Now for the meaning of the words. 1. Origen by their table, vnderstandeth the Scriptures, which were a scandale vntounto them, in that they peruerted them to their owne hurt: as where the Scriptures describe the Messiah to be a glorious deliuerer, which must be vnderstood spiritually, they were offended, because they looked for a temporall deliuerance. 2. Haymo doth vnderstand by the table, collatio verberum in mensa, their conferences together at the table, how to take Christ: but in this sense their table was a snare to others, rather then to themselues. 3. Lyranus doth thus distinguish these three: their table because a snare in perverting the Scriptures, and a trappe, when they were taken by Titus and Vespasian, and a scandale, when to the infamie and opprobrie of that nation, their nobles were put to torment, and shamefull death, by the Romanes. 4. But the better interpretation is this: by the table, as Chrysostome expoundeth, we vnderstand, omnes illorum delicia, all things, wherein they delighted; as their prosperitie, their publike state, their Temple. Calvin: the hauing of the Scriptures, sacrifices, and such other spirituall or temporall blessings, the Prophet prayeth that all may be turned to their hurt: and he vseth three similitudes; let them be a snare, as birds are taken, when they thinke to find foode, a trappe, as beasts are caught and entrapped in the net, and a scandale, as that whereat men doe stumble in their going, and running, and fall.
3. For a recompence vntounto them. 1. The interlin. glosse vnderstandeth the retribution of eternall death. 2. Haymo and Lyranus hauehave speciall reference to Christ: that as they would hauehave blotted out his name, so their name is perished, as they killed him, so they were killed of the Romanes. 3. but it generally rather sheweth a retalion and recompense in their iust punishment, for all the wrongs and iniuries which they had offered to the seruants of God, and specially to Christ himselfe, Pareus.
4. Let their eyes be darkened, and bowe downe their backe. 1. Lyranus by the darkening of the eyes, interpreteth the error of their vnderstanding, and by the bowing of their backes, the error of their will. 2. Gorrhan vnderstandeth, error in faith and manners. 3. deprime …eribus conscientiae, hold them downe with the burthen of their conscience, Pellic. aeterna servitute opprime, oppresse them and keepe them vnderunder with euerlasting seruitude: Melancthon following Chrysostome and Theophylact. 4. But the generall sense is better: that they are deprived of all strength both inward and outward; for the backe or loines, (as it is in the Hebrewe) signifieth the strength: so their eyes are blinded, they are voide of all vnderstanding in spirituall things, and they are likewise depriued of all grace and strength, both spirituall, they hauehave no endeauour or will, to that which is good, Genevens. Pareus: as also temporall, their authoritie and gouernment is taken from them, they liue in perpetuall seruitude, Gryneus.