Topical Encyclopedia
Blinding, both physical and spiritual, is a recurring theme in the Bible, illustrating the consequences of sin, the judgment of God, and the transformative power of divine intervention. The concept of blinding is used metaphorically to describe spiritual ignorance and the inability to perceive divine truth.
Physical BlindingPhysical blinding is often depicted as a form of divine judgment or a consequence of sin. One of the most notable instances is the account of Samson, whose eyes were gouged out by the Philistines after he was betrayed by Delilah (
Judges 16:21). This act of blinding was a punishment for Samson's disobedience and his failure to keep his Nazirite vow.
Another significant example is the blinding of the Syrian army in
2 Kings 6:18-20. Elisha prayed to the LORD, and the soldiers were struck with blindness, allowing Elisha to lead them into Samaria. This event demonstrates God's power to protect His people and confound their enemies.
Spiritual BlindingSpiritual blinding is a metaphor for the inability to understand or accept spiritual truths. The Apostle Paul speaks of this in
2 Corinthians 4:4, where he writes, "The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God." This passage highlights the role of Satan in preventing people from recognizing the truth of the Gospel.
In the Old Testament, Isaiah prophesies about the spiritual blindness of Israel, saying, "Make the heart of this people calloused; deafen their ears and close their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed" (
Isaiah 6:10). This prophecy is later referenced by Jesus in the Gospels (
Matthew 13:14-15) to explain why some people do not understand His parables.
Divine Intervention and HealingThe Bible also records instances where God intervenes to restore sight, both physically and spiritually. In the New Testament, Jesus performs several miracles of healing the blind, demonstrating His compassion and divine authority. One such miracle is the healing of the man born blind in
John 9. Jesus declares, "While I am in the world, I am the light of the world" (
John 9:5), emphasizing His role as the source of spiritual illumination.
The conversion of Saul of Tarsus (later known as the Apostle Paul) is another profound example of divine intervention. On the road to Damascus, Saul is struck blind by a heavenly light as he encounters the risen Christ (
Acts 9:3-9). His physical blindness symbolizes his spiritual ignorance, which is later healed when Ananias lays hands on him, and "something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again" (
Acts 9:18). This event marks Saul's transformation from a persecutor of Christians to a devoted apostle of Christ.
Moral and Theological ImplicationsBlinding in the Bible serves as a powerful symbol of the consequences of sin and the rejection of God's truth. It underscores the importance of spiritual awareness and the need for divine grace to overcome the darkness of unbelief. The restoration of sight, both physical and spiritual, is a testament to God's mercy and the transformative power of faith in Jesus Christ.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
p. pr. & vb. n.) of Blind.
2. (a.) Making blind or as if blind; depriving of sight or of understanding; obscuring; as, blinding tears; blinding snow.
3. (n.) A thin coating of sand and fine gravel over a newly paved road. See Blind.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
EYES, BLINDING OF THEblind'-ing.
SeeEYE;PUNISHMENTS.
BLINDING
blind'-ing.
SeePUNISHMENTS.
Library
What I Think of Myself and what God Thinks of Me
... to be pressed into literal accuracy, but is a simple, general assertion of what
we all know to be true, that we have a strange power ofblinding ourselves as...
How God Works in the Hearts of Men.
... into them." And, in another passage, he describes the devil as "the spirit that
now worketh in the children of disobedience," (Eph.2:2). Theblinding of the...
Dionysius the Presbyter, to his Fellow-Presbyter Timothy.
... participate in a spiritual illumination from Him, and in an union transcending our
mental faculties, and there, amidst theblinding blissful impulsions of His...
Grace Triumphant
... beams are like swords. Thatblinding light 'shone round about him,'
enveloping him in its glory. Chapter xxvi. (verse 13) tells...
Out of the Deep of Suffering and Sorrow.
... ill-fortune, and the desire of his eyes is taken from him, and all his hopes and
plans, all which he intended to do or to enjoy, are hid withblinding mist, so...
Other Things, Hindrances Equally of the Soul, May have Accompanied...
... The world has the greater darkness,blinding men's hearts. The world imposes
the more grievous fetters, binding men's very souls....
The Adventures of Saint George of England.
... on for many a mile over burning sands, his polished steel armour glittering in the
sun, striking terror into all beholders, and almostblinding his poor squire...
Luke's Attitude Towards the Roman World
... Those who talk of Paul as a mere Jew areblinding themselves to his real position
and to the character of the Graeco-Roman world in his time....
The Spread Net
... "Such attachments make unfaithful husbands. They are monotonous and wearisome. She
is but a mirror giving back the blaze of the sun, one-surfaced andblinding....
God.
... with smoke. Here are a Presence, Awful Majesty, Infinite Holiness and Glory,
blinding the seer and crushing his heart contrite. Or...
Thesaurus
Blinding (2 Occurrences)... n.) of Blind. 2. (a.) Making blind or as if blind; depriving of sight or of
understanding; obscuring; as,
blinding tears;
blinding snow.
... EYES,
BLINDING OF THE.
...Punishments (31 Occurrences)
... Secondary forms of punishment not heretofore mentioned are to be noted as follows:
(1)Blinding or Putting Out of EyesBlinding or putting out of eyes in the...
Blindness (7 Occurrences)
Ideas (8 Occurrences)
... faith of some. (BBE). James 1:22 But be doers of the word, and not only
hearers of it,blinding yourselves with false ideas. (BBE)....
Eyes (6285 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia EYES,BLINDING OF THE. blind'-ing. See
EYE; PUNISHMENTS. EYES, COVERING, OF THE. kuv'-er-ing: In...
Matthias (2 Occurrences)
... Various parts of the apocryphal "Contendings of the Apostles" deal with the
imprisonment andblinding of Matthias by the Ethiopian cannibals, and his rescue...
Blindfolds (1 Occurrence)
Untrue (50 Occurrences)
... to whom have I been untrue? who has been crushed down by me? from whose hand have
I taken a price for theblinding of my eyes? I will give it all back to you....
Witchcraft (8 Occurrences)
... In Galatians 3:1, the verb is baskaubaino, which is used of ablinding effect of
the evil eye and has perhaps an occult reference, but it has nothing whatever...
Eye (145 Occurrences)
... of the eyes of an enemy or a rival, because thus his power was most effectually
shattered (Judges 16:21 2 Kings 25:7 Jeremiah 39:7). Suchblinding or putting...
Resources
Is the Bible a fairy tale? | GotQuestions.orgDo angels appear to people today? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean to kick against the pricks? | GotQuestions.orgBlinding: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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