Topical Encyclopedia
The term "sightless" refers to the condition of being without physical vision, commonly known as blindness. In the Bible, blindness is often used both literally and metaphorically to convey spiritual truths and moral lessons. The condition of being sightless is mentioned in various contexts throughout Scripture, highlighting God's power, human frailty, and the need for spiritual enlightenment.
Old Testament ReferencesIn the Old Testament, blindness is sometimes depicted as a physical ailment that God can heal or allow as a form of judgment. For example, in
Genesis 19:11, the men of Sodom are struck with blindness as a divine punishment: "And they struck with blindness the men who were at the entrance of the house, both small and great, so that they wearied themselves trying to find the door" . This incident illustrates God's ability to protect His people and execute judgment.
Blindness is also used metaphorically to describe spiritual ignorance or disobedience. In
Deuteronomy 28:28-29, blindness is part of the curses for disobedience: "The LORD will afflict you with madness, blindness, and confusion of mind, and at midday you will grope around like a blind man in the dark" . Here, blindness symbolizes the lack of spiritual insight and the consequences of turning away from God's commandments.
New Testament ReferencesIn the New Testament, Jesus Christ's ministry includes numerous accounts of healing the blind, demonstrating His divine authority and compassion. One of the most notable miracles 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), before restoring the man's sight. This miracle not only affirms Jesus' power over physical ailments but also serves as a metaphor for spiritual illumination.
The Apostle Paul also uses the concept of blindness to describe spiritual conditions. In
2 Corinthians 4:4, 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" . Here, blindness represents the inability to perceive spiritual truths due to the influence of sin and Satan.
Spiritual ImplicationsThe Bible frequently contrasts physical blindness with spiritual sight. While physical sightlessness is a condition that can be healed by divine intervention, spiritual blindness requires the enlightenment that comes through faith in Jesus Christ. In
Revelation 3:17-18, the church in Laodicea is admonished for its spiritual blindness: "You do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked. I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, white garments so that you may be clothed, and salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see" .
ConclusionThroughout Scripture, the theme of sightlessness serves as a powerful reminder of humanity's need for God's grace and truth. Whether addressing physical blindness or spiritual ignorance, the Bible consistently points to the transformative power of God's intervention and the necessity of spiritual awakening through Christ.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
a.) Wanting sight; without sight; blind.
2. (a.) That can not be seen; invisible.
3. (a.) Offensive or unpleasing to the eye; unsightly; as, sightless stains.
Library
Still Continues the Praise of "Wisdom. ...
... hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made
manifest in him." So the afflicted parents weep over theirsightless babe; so...
On the Sinful Woman.
... The eyepaint blinded my eyes, and (I was) blind among many whom I blinded. I became
sightless and knew not that there is One Who gives light to thesightless....
The Christ Crowned, the Fact
... And when the crucified Jesus went up that Olivet day, before the astonished eyes
of the disciples, into thesightless blue, on the cloud, He was received in...
Life in Christ
... Here and there, however, among the crowds of thesightless there were a few chosen
men who had received spiritual sight; Christ had been light to them, he had...
A Poem on the Passion of the Lord
... Survey my compressed andsightless eyes, and my afflicted cheeks; see my parched
tongue poisoned with gall, and my countenance pale with death....
Christ's Touch
... healing of a blind man whom our Lord again leads apart from the crowd, takes by
the hand, lays His own kind hands upon the poor,sightless eyeballs, and with...
Saint Maura. AD 304
... Come to thy bride-bed, martyr, wife once more!' From that same moment all my pain
was gone; And ever since thosesightless eyes have smiled Love"love!...
Of the Stink of Lechery and the Peril of Touching: and of the...
... And because he desires only these outward joys, and is blinded to the inward
and unseen, as it weresightless he goes to the fire....
Eternal Spirit, Lord of Grace,
... III. To needy souls give rich supplies; Let comfort calm the troubled mind; Give
seeing to thesightless eyes; Heal all the sorrows of mankind. IV....
The Opened Eyes
... "I see but starlit skies.". "Where is the sun?" So calleth at noonday. The man with
sightless eyes. Thou, little child, from thee God is not far;...
Thesaurus
Sightless (1 Occurrence)... 2. (a.) That can not be seen; invisible. 3. (a.) Offensive or unpleasing to the
eye; unsightly; as,
sightless stains.
...Sightless (1 Occurrence).
...Sights (4 Occurrences)
Sighting (1 Occurrence)
Resources
If God hates abortion, why does He allow miscarriages? | GotQuestions.orgSightless: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus