Lexical Summary
ivver: Blind
Original Word:עֵוֵּר
Part of Speech:Adjective
Transliteration:`ivver
Pronunciation:iv-vare'
Phonetic Spelling:(iv-vare')
KJV: blind (men, people)
NASB:blind, blind man, blind men, blindness, who are blind
Word Origin:[intensive fromH5786 (עָוַר - blinded)]
1. blind (literally or figuratively)
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
blind men, people
Intensive fromavar; blind (literally or figuratively) -- blind (men, people).
see HEBREWavar
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Originfrom
avarDefinitionblind
NASB Translationblind (22), blind man (1), blind men (1), blindness (1), who are blind (1).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
; — only absolute
Exodus 4:11 +, plural
2 Samuel 5:6 +, feminine
Isaiah 42:7; (with article
Deuteronomy 28:29, elsewhere Baer Ginsb; van d. H.
Job 29:15,
2 Samuel 5:6,8;
Isaiah 42:18); —
blind, usually as substantive =
the blind: literally, physicallyblind:
Exodus 4:11 (J; opposed to ),2 Samuel 5:6,8 (twice in verse);Leviticus 19:14 (H),Deuteronomy 27:18;Jeremiah 31:8;Job 29:15; in simileDeuteronomy 28:29;Zephaniah 1:17;Isaiah 59:10, compareLamentations 4:14 (apposition); as adjective attributeLeviticus 21:18 (H).
Deuteronomy 15:21;Malachi 1:8. figurative,
Isaiah 29:18;Isaiah 35:5;Isaiah 42:16;Psalm 146:8; as adjective attribute,Isaiah 42:7.
,Isaiah 42:18,19 (3 t. in verse) (butIsaiah 42:19 c read q. v.); as adjective attributiveIsaiah 43:8; as predicateIsaiah 56:10.
Topical Lexicon
OverviewThe Hebrew term rendered “blind” appears about twenty-six times in the Old Testament. While it can denote literal loss of sight, Scripture frequently employs the word figuratively for moral, spiritual, or national dullness. Because both meanings intertwine, each occurrence adds to a multifaceted theology of blindness that touches covenant law, prophetic hope, worship, leadership, and pastoral care.
Physical Blindness and the Creator’s Sovereignty
In His call of Moses the LORD settles the matter of ability and disability: “Who makes a man mute or deaf, seeing or blind? Is it not I, the LORD?” (Exodus 4:11). Blindness is never portrayed as fate in a world left to chance; it lies within God’s wise governance. This conviction shapes Israel’s social ethics and worship.
Ethical Protection of the Vulnerable
Blind Israelites receive explicit legal safeguards. “You shall not curse the deaf or put a stumbling block before the blind, but you shall fear your God” (Leviticus 19:14). Deuteronomy extends the principle: “Cursed is he who leads a blind man astray on the road” (Deuteronomy 27:18). Concern for the sightless thus becomes a litmus test of covenant fidelity.
Job models the spirit of the law: “I was eyes to the blind” (Job 29:15). His testimony illustrates the righteous use of strength to serve the weak, anticipating Jesus’ ministry of compassion.
Sacrificial Standards and Worship Integrity
Because offerings typify the holiness of God, blemished or disabled animals were barred from the altar: “If it has any defect, if it is lame or blind…you shall not sacrifice it” (Deuteronomy 15:21; cf.Leviticus 22:22). Centuries later Malachi indicts priests who ignore this rule: “When you present blind animals for sacrifice, is it not wrong?” (Malachi 1:8). The presence of the blind animal exposes the spiritual blindness of the worshiper.
Blindness as Divine Judgment
Covenant curses include sensory darkness: “You will grope at noon as a blind man gropes in the dark” (Deuteronomy 28:29). Isaiah describes watchmen who should discern danger but cannot: “Israel’s watchmen are blind; all of them know nothing” (Isaiah 56:10). Such images expose the devastating consequence of persistent sin—leaders and people alike lose moral and theological perception.
National Taunts and Military Context
When David advanced on Jerusalem, the Jebusites mocked his force: “You will not enter here; even the blind and the lame will repel you” (2 Samuel 5:6). David’s subsequent conquest overturned the taunt, demonstrating that God’s chosen king overcomes every obstacle, literal or symbolic blindness included.
Prophetic Promise of Restoration
In stark contrast to judgment or mockery, the prophets herald a coming age when “the eyes of the blind will see out of darkness and obscurity” (Isaiah 29:18) and “the eyes of the blind will be opened” (Isaiah 35:5). The Servant of the LORD is appointed “to open the eyes that are blind” (Isaiah 42:7) and “lead the blind by a way they did not know” (Isaiah 42:16). Yet Israel herself is chided: “Who is blind but My servant?” (Isaiah 42:19). The paradox underscores the tension between calling and condition; Israel requires the very healing she is meant to mediate.
Messianic Fulfillment and New-Covenant Ministry
The Gospels repeatedly connect these Isaianic promises to Jesus Christ. He proclaims release to captives and recovery of sight to the blind (Luke 4:18), performs literal healings (John 9), and exposes Pharisaic blindness (Matthew 23:16-26). These events confirm that prophetic hope blossoms in the Messiah, who tackles both physical and spiritual darkness.
Pastoral and Missional Implications
1. Compassion: The legal protection of the blind calls believers to proactive care for today’s vulnerable—medical, social, and spiritual.
2. Integrity: Malachi’s rebuke warns against offering God second-rate service; worship must match His holiness.
3. Discernment: Spiritual leaders must resist the drift toward dullness exemplified by blind watchmen. Vigilance in doctrine and practice preserves the flock.
4. Gospel Hope: Every instance of restored sight foreshadows the new creation where “night will be no more” and vision—physical and spiritual—is perfected.
Summary
From covenant law to prophetic vision, blindness functions as a concrete reality, an ethical test, a metaphor of judgment, and a signpost to redemption. Its ultimate resolution lies in the Messianic work of opening eyes, an ongoing ministry entrusted to Christ’s people until faith becomes sight.
Forms and Transliterations
הַ֣עִוְרִ֔ים הַעִוְרִ֤ים הָעִוֵּר֙ העור העורים וְהַעִוְרִ֖ים וְעִוֵּ֖ר והעורים ועור כַּֽעִוְרִ֔ים כַֽעִוְרִים֙ כעורים לַֽעִוֵּ֑ר לעור עִוְר֑וֹת עִוְרִ֑ים עִוְרִ֖ים עִוְרִ֗ים עִוְרִ֤ים עִוְרִים֙ עִוֵּ֑ר עִוֵּ֔ר עִוֵּ֖ר עִוֵּ֣ר עִוֵּ֤ר עִוֵּר֙ עור עורות עורים ‘iw·rîm ‘iw·rō·wṯ ‘iw·wêr ‘iwrîm ‘iwrōwṯ ‘iwwêr chaivRim ha‘iwrîm hā‘iwwêr ha·‘iw·rîm hā·‘iw·wêr haivRim haivVer ivRim ivRot ivVer ka‘iwrîm ḵa‘iwrîm ka·‘iw·rîm ḵa·‘iw·rîm kaivRim la‘iwwêr la·‘iw·wêr laivVer vehaivRim veivVer wə‘iwwêr wə·‘iw·wêr wə·ha·‘iw·rîm wəha‘iwrîm
Links
Interlinear Greek •
Interlinear Hebrew •
Strong's Numbers •
Englishman's Greek Concordance •
Englishman's Hebrew Concordance •
Parallel Texts
