The term "dimmed" in the Bible often refers to a reduction in clarity, brightness, or understanding, both in a literal and metaphorical sense. It is used to describe physical conditions, spiritual states, and prophetic visions. The concept of dimming can be associated with the loss of sight, the fading of glory, or the obscuring of truth.

Physical Sight and Dimness

In the context of physical sight, "dimmed" is used to describe the weakening of vision due to age or illness. One notable example is found in the account of Eli, the priest, whose eyesight had grown dim in his old age. In 1 Samuel 3:2 , it is written, "And at that time Eli, whose eyesight had grown so dim that he could not see, was lying in his room." This physical dimness serves as a backdrop to the spiritual dimness in Israel during that period, highlighting the need for divine revelation and guidance.

Spiritual and Moral Dimness

The Bible also uses the concept of dimness to describe spiritual and moral conditions. In Isaiah 42:7 , the prophet speaks of the mission of the Servant of the Lord, "to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon and those sitting in darkness out from the prison house." Here, dimness is metaphorically linked to spiritual blindness and captivity, emphasizing the need for enlightenment and liberation through God's intervention.

Prophetic and Eschatological Dimness

Dimness is also present in prophetic and eschatological contexts. In Isaiah 60:19-20 , the prophet envisions a future where the sun and moon will no longer be needed for light, for the Lord will be an everlasting light. "No longer will the sun be your light by day, nor the brightness of the moon shine on your night; for the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your splendor." This passage contrasts the temporary and dim light of celestial bodies with the eternal and perfect light of God, pointing to a future restoration and glory.

Dimness and Human Understanding

In the New Testament, dimness is used to describe the partial understanding of spiritual truths. The Apostle Paul, in 1 Corinthians 13:12 , writes, "For now we see only a dim reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known." This passage acknowledges the limitations of human understanding in the present age, with the promise of complete clarity and knowledge in the age to come.

Dimness in the Context of Judgment

Dimness can also be associated with judgment and the withdrawal of divine favor. In Isaiah 9:1 , the prophet speaks of a time when gloom and darkness will be replaced by light and joy: "Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past, He humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future He will honor Galilee of the nations, by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan." This transformation from dimness to light signifies the reversal of judgment and the coming of salvation.

In summary, the concept of "dimmed" in the Bible encompasses a range of meanings, from physical impairment to spiritual obscurity, and from partial understanding to the anticipation of divine revelation and restoration. The imagery of dimness serves as a powerful reminder of the human condition and the hope for divine intervention and enlightenment.(imp. & p. p.) of Dim.

Whether Christ had any Knowledge Besides the Divine?
... Therefore any other knowledge would have been superfluous in Him. Objection
2: Further, the lesser light is dimmed by the greater. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether christ had any knowledge.htm

Book I to Pleasant Songs My Work was Erstwhile Given, and Bright ...
... shewing. Their beauty was somewhat dimmed by the dulness of long neglect,
as is seen in the smoke-grimed masks of our ancestors. ...
/.../boethius/the consolation of philosophy/book i to pleasant songs.htm

Jacob Boehme's "Way of Salvation"
... my good!" and formed his entire nature out of the dark-principle, and "his Light
went out." Adam and his offspring after him, however, only dimmed the native ...
/.../chapter xi jacob boehmes way.htm

Of the 69Th Psalm, in which the Obstinate Unbelief of the Jews is ...
... presently He brings in [these words]: "Let their table become a trap before them,
and a retribution, and an offence: let their eyes be dimmed that they see not ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 19 of the 69th psalm.htm

Reflections on his Fiftieth Birthday. What a Wonderful Being is ...
... When the sun grows gray with age, his eye is dimmed, and darkness reigns, man will
still be drinking in the light of heaven from the morning star of eternity. ...
/.../chapter xix reflections on his.htm

Visions, Revelations, and Locutions.
... conservation of its being. In heretics, the mirror is, as it were, broken
in pieces, and that is worse than being dimmed. There is a ...
/.../teresa/the life of st teresa of jesus/chapter xl visions revelations and.htm

Christ Cleansing the Temple
... It is just like a drop of quicksilver which you cannot expose to the air but
instantaneously its brightness is dimmed by the scum that forms on its surface. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture i/christ cleansing the temple.htm

Book V Here She Made an End and was for Turning the Course of Her ...
... For when the mind turns its eyes from the light of truth on high to lower darkness,
soon they are dimmed by the clouds of ignorance, and become turbid through ...
/.../boethius/the consolation of philosophy/book v here she made.htm

Finger-Posts
... He wanted to use the Master to further his own plans and advantage. And the vision
slowly blurred and dimmed, as the under nature was given the upper hand. ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks on following the christ/finger-posts.htm

The Friend Whose Years do not Fail. Rev. W. Arthur, MA
... He did not pitch that canopy, nor fix those lights, nor hang those curtains by whose
silent closing and withdrawing the light is heightened or dimmed. ...
/.../king/the wesleyan methodist pulpit in malvern/the friend whose years do.htm

Dimmed (3 Occurrences)
... & pp) of Dim. Multi-Version Concordance Dimmed (3 Occurrences). Job 17:7 Mine eye
also is dim by reason of sorrow, And all my members are as a shadow. (See JPS) ...
/d/dimmed.htm - 7k

Dimly-lighted (1 Occurrence)
Dimly-lighted. Dimly, Dimly-lighted. Dimmed . Multi-Version Concordance
Dimly-lighted (1 Occurrence). ... (WEY). Dimly, Dimly-lighted. Dimmed . Reference
/d/dimly-lighted.htm - 6k

Dimnah (1 Occurrence)

/d/dimnah.htm - 7k

Herod (45 Occurrences)
... of the Herodian family is not lacking in elements of greatness, but whatever these
elements were and in whomsoever found, they were in every ease dimmed by the ...
/h/herod.htm - 57k

Balaam (62 Occurrences)
... The inference is plain enough: Balaam knew the Lord, the Yahweh of the Israelites,
but his knowledge was dimmed and corrupted by heathen conceptions. ...
/b/balaam.htm - 38k

Confusion (71 Occurrences)
... 6. Religious Value: The religious value of the story is dimmed for the modern
reader because of the very primitive concepts that it contains. ...
/c/confusion.htm - 39k

Tongues (67 Occurrences)
... 6. Religious Value: The religious value of the story is dimmed for the modern
reader because of the very primitive concepts that it contains. ...
/t/tongues.htm - 61k

Dimmed: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus