Blind: Cruelty To, Forbidden
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The Bible consistently emphasizes compassion and justice towards those who are vulnerable, including the blind. The Scriptures explicitly forbid cruelty to the blind, underscoring the importance of treating them with dignity and respect.

Old Testament Teachings

In the Mosaic Law, God commands the Israelites to uphold justice and kindness towards the blind. Leviticus 19:14 states, "You must not curse the deaf or place a stumbling block before the blind, but you are to fear your God. I am the LORD." This commandment highlights the moral obligation to protect and assist those who cannot see, rather than exploiting their vulnerability. The prohibition against placing a stumbling block before the blind is both literal and metaphorical, urging believers to avoid causing harm or leading others into sin.

Deuteronomy 27:18 further reinforces this principle: "Cursed is he who leads a blind person astray on the road." This curse serves as a solemn warning against taking advantage of the blind, emphasizing that such actions are detestable in the sight of God.

New Testament Insights

The New Testament continues to reflect the spirit of the Old Testament laws by promoting love and compassion for all individuals, including the blind. Jesus Christ, during His earthly ministry, demonstrated profound care for the blind, often healing them as a sign of His compassion and divine authority. In John 9:1-7, Jesus heals a man who was blind from birth, illustrating His concern for the physical and spiritual well-being of the blind.

The teachings of Jesus and the apostles further encourage believers to embody love and kindness. In Matthew 7:12, Jesus instructs, "In everything, then, do to others as you would have them do to you." This Golden Rule serves as a guiding principle for how Christians should treat others, including those who are blind.

Moral and Ethical Implications

The biblical injunctions against cruelty to the blind reflect a broader ethical framework that values human dignity and compassion. Believers are called to emulate God's character by showing mercy and justice to all, particularly those who are marginalized or disadvantaged. The Bible's teachings on this subject challenge individuals and communities to create environments where the blind are supported and respected.

In summary, the Bible clearly forbids cruelty to the blind, urging believers to act with compassion and integrity. These teachings serve as a reminder of the inherent value of every person and the responsibility to care for those in need.
Nave's Topical Index
Leviticus 19:14
You shall not curse the deaf, nor put a stumbling block before the blind, but shall fear your God: I am the LORD.
Nave's Topical Index

Deuteronomy 27:18
Cursed be he that makes the blind to wander out of the way. And all the people shall say, Amen.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

The Scourging of Jesus.
... The cruelty of these barbarians was nevertheless not yet ... birth, a relation to Ctesiphon,
the blind man whom ... in every possible way, but were forbidden to quit ...
/.../the dolorous passion of our lord jesus christ/chapter xxii the scourging of.htm

Whether a Suitable Cause Can be Assigned for the Ceremonies which ...
... imperfect animal, eg a lame, or a blind, or otherwise ... to the slain animal." This
excluded cruelty on the ... in contempt among men, that it was forbidden to offer ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether a suitable cause can.htm

Whether the Old Law Enjoined Fitting Precepts Concerning Rulers?
... people: the more that they were forbidden to accept ... shalt thou'] take bribes, which
even blind the wise ... especially were the Jews inclined to cruelty and avarice ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the old law enjoined.htm

Index of Subjects.
... 516]195, [517]211; by the two blind men, [518]211 ... of the Devil, [1064]193; leads
to cruelty, [1065]300 ... 1067]429; invites Devils, [1068]430; forbidden in thought ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/index of subjects.htm

Letter ii (AD 1126) to the Monk Adam
... you lacerate her bowels, treating with such cruelty their dear ... marriage is neither
prescribed nor forbidden, but when ... Let them alone, they be blind leaders of ...
/.../some letters of saint bernard abbot of clairvaux/letter ii a d 1126 to.htm

Innocent the Third (Ad 1198-1216)
... his consent to their enterprise, had forbidden them to ... The blind old doge, Henry
Dandolo, stood in the ... conquest was disgraced by much cruelty and unchecked ...
/.../chapter xiii innocent the third.htm

The Pharisees' Sabbath and Christ's
... the tradition, nor ask where Moses had forbidden what His ... significant instance of
the absurdity and cruelty which are ... The Pharisee is always blind as an owl to ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/the pharisees sabbath and christs.htm

Treatise x. On Jealousy and Envy.
... Reason Was Fraternal Hatred Forbidden Not in ... none, entangled in the blind snares
of a ... Pride inflates, cruelty embitters, faithlessness prevaricates, impatience ...
/.../cyprian/the treatises of cyprian/treatise x on jealousy and.htm

Pleasures of the Glorified Senses.
... Thus a blind or a deaf and dumb man is ... and appliances that the most refined cruelty
could devise ... without fear; for none of them are forbidden, and, consequently ...
/.../boudreaux/the happiness of heaven/chapter x pleasures of the.htm

The Persecutions of the Church.
... any danger, personal malice and blind bigotry had ... then put to death with wanton and
studied cruelty. ... forfeited their property; and were forbidden, under the ...
/.../killen/the ancient church/chapter ii the persecutions of.htm

Resources
Do babies and children go to heaven when they die? | GotQuestions.org

Why did Jesus spit for some of His miracles? | GotQuestions.org

What is the spiritual gift of mercy? | GotQuestions.org

Blind: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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Subtopics

Blind

Blind Faith

Blind: Cruelty To, Forbidden

Blind: The Taunting Jebusites, Hated by David

Related Terms

Half-blind (1 Occurrence)

Deaf (22 Occurrences)

Guides (24 Occurrences)

Ditch (9 Occurrences)

Bartimaeus (1 Occurrence)

Lame (35 Occurrences)

Pit (110 Occurrences)

Mute (29 Occurrences)

Cured (62 Occurrences)

Feeble-footed (6 Occurrences)

Maimed (10 Occurrences)

Blinding (2 Occurrences)

Crippled (15 Occurrences)

Dumb (34 Occurrences)

Blindness (7 Occurrences)

Leaders (167 Occurrences)

Leadeth (42 Occurrences)

Leave (341 Occurrences)

Eyes (6285 Occurrences)

Alone (232 Occurrences)

Leads (64 Occurrences)

Born (228 Occurrences)

Lead (192 Occurrences)

Sight (522 Occurrences)

Hole (88 Occurrences)

Grope (5 Occurrences)

Wholehearted (8 Occurrences)

Wayside (16 Occurrences)

Walking (189 Occurrences)

Insomuch (24 Occurrences)

Roadside (9 Occurrences)

Demon-possessed (16 Occurrences)

Parents (27 Occurrences)

Bribe (27 Occurrences)

Cleansed (76 Occurrences)

Man's (347 Occurrences)

Passing (177 Occurrences)

Broken (559 Occurrences)

Spake (704 Occurrences)

Tidings (169 Occurrences)

Crying (247 Occurrences)

Diseases (38 Occurrences)

Whether (239 Occurrences)

Walk (315 Occurrences)

Oppressed (81 Occurrences)

Spoke (799 Occurrences)

Jeb'usites (30 Occurrences)

Opened (182 Occurrences)

Passed (329 Occurrences)

Persons (156 Occurrences)

Possessed (100 Occurrences)

Guide (89 Occurrences)

Jebusites (29 Occurrences)

Cry (431 Occurrences)

Damaged (44 Occurrences)

Legs (50 Occurrences)

Guiding (69 Occurrences)

Begged (71 Occurrences)

News (453 Occurrences)

Open (586 Occurrences)

Devil (58 Occurrences)

Able (730 Occurrences)

Falling (233 Occurrences)

Ones (687 Occurrences)

Voice (651 Occurrences)

Noonday (13 Occurrences)

Opening (242 Occurrences)

Lepers (8 Occurrences)

Gutter (3 Occurrences)

Greater (219 Occurrences)

Getteth (11 Occurrences)

Water-pipe (1 Occurrence)

Watercourse (6 Occurrences)

Wounded (114 Occurrences)

Way-side (10 Occurrences)

Won't (144 Occurrences)

Injured (28 Occurrences)

Important (39 Occurrences)

Formerly (55 Occurrences)

Blind Men
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