Lexical Summary ivver: Blind Original Word: עֵוֵּר Strong's Exhaustive Concordance blind men, people Intensive from avar; blind (literally or figuratively) -- blind (men, people). see HEBREW avar NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom avar Definition blind NASB Translation blind (22), blind man (1), blind men (1), blindness (1), who are blind (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs עִוֵּר adjective blind; — only absolute ׳ע Exodus 4:11 +, plural עִיְרִים 2 Samuel 5:6 +, feminine עִוְרוֺת Isaiah 42:7; (with article הָעִוֵּר Deuteronomy 28:29, elsewhere ׳הַע Baer Ginsb; van d. H. לָעִוֵּר Job 29:15, הָעִוְרִים 2 Samuel 5:6,8; Isaiah 42:18); — blind, usually as substantive = the blind: 1 literally, physically blind: a. of men Exodus 4:11 (J; opposed to מִּקֵּחַ), 2 Samuel 5:6,8 (twice in verse); Leviticus 19:14 (H), Deuteronomy 27:18; Jeremiah 31:8; Job 29:15; in simile Deuteronomy 28:29; Zephaniah 1:17; Isaiah 59:10, compare Lamentations 4:14 (apposition); as adjective attribute ׳אִישׁ ע Leviticus 21:18 (H). b. of sacrifice animal Deuteronomy 15:21; Malachi 1:8. 2 figurative, a. of the helpless, groping Isaiah 29:18; Isaiah 35:5; Isaiah 42:16; Psalm 146:8; as adjective attribute, עֵינַיִם עִוְרוֺת Isaiah 42:7. b. of the dull, unreceptive, Isaiah 42:18,19 (3 t. in verse) (but Isaiah 42:19 c read חֵרֵשׁ q. v.); as adjective attributive עַם עִוֵּר Isaiah 43:8; as predicate Isaiah 56:10. Topical Lexicon Overview The 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. 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‘iwrîmLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Exodus 4:11 HEB: פִקֵּ֖חַ א֣וֹ עִוֵּ֑ר הֲלֹ֥א אָנֹכִ֖י NAS: or blind? Is it not I, the LORD? KJV: or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the LORD? INT: seeing or blind men not I Leviticus 19:14 Leviticus 21:18 Deuteronomy 15:21 Deuteronomy 27:18 Deuteronomy 28:29 2 Samuel 5:6 2 Samuel 5:8 2 Samuel 5:8 Job 29:15 Psalm 146:8 Isaiah 29:18 Isaiah 35:5 Isaiah 42:7 Isaiah 42:16 Isaiah 42:18 Isaiah 42:19 Isaiah 42:19 Isaiah 42:19 Isaiah 43:8 Isaiah 56:10 Isaiah 59:10 Jeremiah 31:8 Lamentations 4:14 Zephaniah 1:17 26 Occurrences |
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