Lexical Summary tuphloó: To blind, to make blind Original Word: τυφλόω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance blind. From tuphlos; to make blind, i.e. (figuratively) to obscure -- blind. see GREEK tuphlos HELPS Word-studies Cognate: 5186 typhlóō (from 5185 /typhlós, derived from 5187 /typhóō, "having a cloudy perspective," see NAS dictionary) – properly, blowing smoke which causes (spiritual) blindness, i.e. experiencing "clouded vision." See 5187 (typhoō). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom tuphlos Definition to blind, to make blind NASB Translation blinded (3). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 5186: τυφλόωτυφλόω, τυφλῷ: 1 aorist ἐτυφλωσα; perfect τετύφλωκα; from (Pindar and) Herodotus down; to blind, make blind; in the N. T. metaphorically, to blunt the mental discernment, darken the mind: John 12:40; 1 John 2:11; τά νοήματα, 2 Corinthians 4:4 (τήν ψυχήν τυφλωθειην, Plato, Phaedo, p. 99 e.). Topical Lexicon Core Concept of Spiritual Blindness Strong’s 5186 captures the deliberate act of blinding, most often with reference to the inner perception of the heart and mind. Rather than describing an involuntary loss of sight, the verb highlights an active, judicial hardening that prevents sinners from apprehending divine truth. Old Testament Foundations The thought world of spiritual blindness is firmly rooted in Israel’s Scriptures. Isaiah was told, “Make the hearts of this people calloused; make their ears dull and close their eyes” (Isaiah 6:10), establishing a pattern in which persistent rebellion invites a God-ordained inability to perceive. Subsequent prophets—Jeremiah 5:21; Ezekiel 12:2; Zechariah 7:11-12—echo the motif, demonstrating that blindness is both a consequence and a confirmation of unbelief. New Testament Usage 1. John 12:40 quotes the Isaianic oracle to explain why many in Israel refused to believe in Jesus despite compelling signs: “He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, so that they can neither see with their eyes, nor understand with their hearts, nor turn, and I would heal them”. The perfect tense underlines a completed, divinely sanctioned condition that fulfills prophecy. 2. 2 Corinthians 4:4 transfers the same reality to the present age, identifying its immediate agent: “The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers so they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God”. Satanic activity is acknowledged, yet Paul maintains that the blindness serves God’s sovereign purposes while underscoring the moral culpability of the lost. 3. 1 John 2:11 brings the theme into congregational life: “Whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness; he does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes”. Here the verb describes a self-inflicted condition; hatred proves spiritual darkness and perpetuates it. Theological Implications Spiritual blindness reveals the tension between divine sovereignty and human responsibility. God may judicially blind (John 12:40), Satan may actively blind (2 Corinthians 4:4), and a person may effectively blind himself through sin (1 John 2:11). These are not competing explanations but complementary facets of a single biblical diagnosis: fallen humanity resists the light, and that resistance is met with righteous judgment. Christological Insights Blindness heightens the glory of Christ as the One who brings sight. Significantly, in the same context of John 12, Jesus declares Himself the “Light” (John 12:46). The miracles of giving physical sight (for example, John 9) serve as acted parables of His power to reverse spiritual blindness. Thus the verb’s negative force magnifies the grace offered through the Gospel. Pastoral and Ministry Applications • Preaching must present the Gospel plainly while recognizing that only God opens blind eyes (2 Corinthians 4:6). Eschatological Perspective Spiritual blindness foreshadows final judgment. Those who persist in rejecting revelation will face an irreversible darkness (Matthew 25:30). Conversely, saints who once “were formerly darkness” will experience the consummation of sight when “we shall see Him as He is” (1 John 3:2), demonstrating that God’s grace triumphs over every blinding force. Warnings and Exhortations Believers are exhorted to walk in the light they have received, lest toleration of sin obscure their spiritual vision (Matthew 6:22-23). Churches must avoid complacency, for Laodicea’s self-deception included a boast of sight while needing salve for their eyes (Revelation 3:17-18). Summary Strong’s 5186 traces a sobering trajectory: persistent unbelief leads to spiritual blindness that only divine intervention can remedy. While God’s judicial action and Satan’s deceit are real, the Gospel remains “the power of God for salvation” (Romans 1:16), making every proclamation an invitation for eyes to be opened and hearts to be healed. Forms and Transliterations ετυφλώθησαν ετύφλωσε ετυφλωσεν ἐτύφλωσεν Τετυφλωκεν Τετύφλωκεν etuphlosen etuphlōsen etyphlosen etyphlōsen etýphlosen etýphlōsen Tetuphloken Tetuphlōken Tetyphloken Tetyphlōken Tetýphloken TetýphlōkenLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance John 12:40 V-RIA-3SGRK: Τετύφλωκεν αὐτῶν τοὺς NAS: HE HAS BLINDED THEIR EYES KJV: He hath blinded their eyes, INT: He has blinded of them the 2 Corinthians 4:4 V-AIA-3S 1 John 2:11 V-AIA-3S Strong's Greek 5186 |
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