Topical Encyclopedia
In the biblical context, the concept of being "blinded" often refers to both physical and spiritual states. The term is used to describe a lack of physical sight as well as a metaphorical inability to perceive spiritual truths. This entry explores the various instances and implications of blindness as presented in the Bible.
Physical BlindnessPhysical blindness is mentioned numerous times in the Scriptures, often as a condition that elicits compassion and divine intervention. One of the most notable miracles performed by Jesus Christ was the healing of the blind. In the Gospel of John, Jesus heals a man who was blind from birth, illustrating His power and authority over physical ailments: "Having said this, He spit on the ground, made some mud, and applied it to the man’s eyes. Then He told him, 'Go, wash in the Pool of Siloam' (which means Sent). So the man went and washed, and came back seeing" (
John 9:6-7).
The healing of the blind serves as a testament to Jesus' compassion and His fulfillment of Messianic prophecies, such as those found in Isaiah: "Then the eyes of the blind will be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped" (
Isaiah 35:5).
Spiritual BlindnessSpiritual blindness is a recurring theme in the Bible, often used to describe those who are unable or unwilling to recognize spiritual truths. This form of blindness is frequently attributed to a hardened heart or a rejection of God's revelation. In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul speaks of spiritual blindness in his letters, particularly in relation to the Jewish people who did not accept Jesus as the Messiah: "But their minds were closed. For to this day the same veil remains at the reading of the old covenant. It has not been lifted, because only in Christ can it be removed" (
2 Corinthians 3:14).
The concept of spiritual blindness is also evident in the teachings of Jesus. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus rebukes the Pharisees, calling them "blind guides" (
Matthew 23:16) for their failure to understand and live by the true spirit of the Law.
Divine Judgment and BlindnessBlindness is sometimes depicted as a form of divine judgment. In the Old Testament, the men of Sodom were struck with blindness as a punishment for their wickedness: "And they struck with blindness the men at the entrance, both young and old, so that they wearied themselves trying to find the door" (
Genesis 19:11). This act of divine retribution underscores the severity of their sin and the protective intervention of God.
Restoration of SightThe restoration of sight, both physical and spiritual, is a powerful symbol of redemption and salvation. Jesus' healing of the blind is not only a demonstration of His divine authority but also a metaphor for the enlightenment and understanding that comes through faith in Him. The Apostle Paul, once spiritually blind to the truth of the Gospel, experienced a dramatic conversion that included the restoration of his physical sight: "Immediately something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized" (
Acts 9:18).
ConclusionThe theme of blindness in the Bible serves as a multifaceted symbol of human limitation and divine power. Whether addressing physical ailments or spiritual ignorance, the Scriptures consistently point to God as the ultimate source of healing and enlightenment.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
imp. & p. p.) of Blind.
Greek
1387. dolioo -- to deceive... Cognate: 1387 (from 1388 , "bait") -- properly, to lure, using to pull someone in;
to deceive, preying on people who are
blinded by their own bitterness, greed
...5186. tuphloo -- to blind, to make blind
... vision." See 5187 (). Word Origin from tuphlos Definition to blind, to make
blind NASB Word Usageblinded (3). blind. From tuphlos...
Strong's Hebrew
8173a. shaa -- to be smeared over,blinded... 8173, 8173a. shaa. 8173b . to be smeared over,
blinded. Transliteration:
shaa Short Definition: blind. Word Origin a prim. root
...8173. sha'a' -- to be smeared over,blinded
sha'a'. 8172, 8173. sha'a'. 8173a . to be smeared over,blinded. Transliteration:
sha'a' Phonetic Spelling: (shaw-ah') Short Definition: stare. cry out...
5786. avar -- to make blind, blind
... 5785, 5786. avar. 5787 . to make blind, blind. Transliteration: avar Phonetic
Spelling: (aw-var') Short Definition:blinded. Word Origin a prim....
Library
May the EighteenthBlinded Judgments
... MAY The EighteenthBLINDED JUDGMENTS. JOHN ix.13-25. Here is a ceremonialism
which is blind to the humane. Its scrupulous ritualisms...
That Maximin,Blinded by Disease, Issued an Edict in Favor of the...
... eusebius pamphilus. Book I. Chapter LIX."That Maximin,blinded by Disease,
issued an Edict in Favor of the Christians. And still...
Blinded Protestants Think they have the Glory of Slaughtering...
... Address 184:Blinded Protestants think they have the glory of slaughtering
blind papists?Blinded Protestants think they have...
While Writing, BeingBlinded by Corporeal Images, He Failed to...
... Book IV. Chapter XV."While Writing, BeingBlinded by Corporeal Images,
He Failed to Recognise the Spiritual Nature of God. 24....
Whether Blindness and Hardness of Heart are Directed to the...
... OF THE EXTERNAL CAUSES OF SIN (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether blindness and hardness of
heart are directed to the salvation of those who areblinded and hardened?...
Refutation of the Arguments of the Marcionites, who Attempted to...
... Book IV Chapter XXIX."Refutation of the arguments of the Marcionites, who attempted
to show that God was the author of sin, because Heblinded Pharaoh and...
The Cause of Unbelief.
... He hathblinded their eyes, and hardened their heart.... They sought the darkness, and
as a result, finally they became soblinded that they could not believe....
But Even Although we Should be under the Necessity of Accepting...
... accepting the exegesis advocated by some,"for the subject is not altogether unworthy
of notice,"and of saying thus, that He hath actuallyblinded the minds...
Reply to an Objection Founded on the Words of St. Paul (2 Cor. Iv....
... 1. As to their affirming that Paul said plainly in the Second [Epistle] to the
Corinthians, "In whom the god of this world hathblinded the minds of them that...
Faustus Denies that Manich??ans Believe in Two Gods. Hyle no God....
... Thus the apostle says: "The god of this world hasblinded the minds of them that
believe not." [756] He calls him God, because he would be so called by his...
Thesaurus
Blinded (15 Occurrences)...Blinded (15 Occurrences).
... Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but
the election hath obtained it, and the rest were
blinded. (KJV DBY WBS).
...Bindeth (25 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 25:7 And the sons of Zedekiah they have slaughtered before his eyes, and
the eyes of Zedekiah he hathblinded, and bindeth him with brazen fetters, and...
Brazen (42 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 25:7 And the sons of Zedekiah they have slaughtered before his eyes, and
the eyes of Zedekiah he hathblinded, and bindeth him with brazen fetters, and...
Blind (91 Occurrences)
... Conquerors sometimesblinded their captives (2 Kings 25:7; 1 Samuel 11:2). Blindness
denotes ignorance as to spiritual things (Isaiah 6:10; 42:18, 19; Matthew...
Minds (137 Occurrences)
... John 12:40 "He hasblinded their eyes and made their minds callous, lest they should
see with their eyes and perceive with their minds, and should turn, and I...
Lest (282 Occurrences)
... John 12:40 "He hasblinded their eyes and he hardened their heart, lest they should
see with their eyes, and perceive with their heart, and would turn, and I...
Zedeki'ah (62 Occurrences)
... (See RSV). Jeremiah 39:7 And the eyes of Zedekiah he hathblinded, and he bindeth
him with brazen fetters, to bring him in to Babylon. (See RSV)....
Vail (44 Occurrences)
... 2 Corinthians 3:14 But their minds wereblinded: for until this day remaineth the
same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is...
Unbelieving (22 Occurrences)
... 2 Corinthians 4:4 in whom the god of this world hasblinded the minds of the
unbelieving, that the light of the Good News of the glory of Christ, who is the...
Untaken (1 Occurrence)
... 2 Corinthians 3:14 But their minds wereblinded: for until this day remaineth the
same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is...
Resources
Why does unbelief appear to be increasing in the world today? | GotQuestions.orgSummary of the Book of Acts - Bible Survey | GotQuestions.orgWhat is spiritual darkness? | GotQuestions.orgBlinded: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
