Lexical Summary ivvarown: Blindness Original Word: עִוָּרוֹן Strong's Exhaustive Concordance blindness And (feminine) avvereth {av-veh'-reth}; from ivver; blindness -- blind(-ness). see HEBREW ivver Brown-Driver-Briggs עִוָּרוֺן noun [masculine] blindness; — only in phrase (subject ׳י), smite (הִכָּה) with blindness: figurative of 'blind incapacity' (Dr) ׳בְּע Deuteronomy 28:28; of smiting horses ׳בַּע Zechariah 12:4, i.e. with blind staggers, making them helplessly wild. עַוֶּ֫רֶת noun feminine id.; — of sacrifice animals, abstract for concrete, Leviticus 22:22 (H). Topical Lexicon Definition and Range of Meaning The term denotes literal blindness of eyes and, by extension, the disabling loss of perception that God may impose upon people, animals, or even military equipment. While the primary sense is physical, Scripture often deploys the concept figuratively to describe spiritual incapacity, moral darkness, or judicial hardening. Occurrences in Scripture 1. Leviticus 22:22 Each text reveals a distinct theological facet—worship, covenant discipline, and eschatological deliverance. Blindness and Sacrificial Integrity (Leviticus 22:22) The priestly legislation disqualifies any animal “blind or injured” from being offered on the altar. A blemished gift contradicts the holiness of the LORD and foreshadows the perfect, unblemished Lamb to come (1 Peter 1:19). By excluding blind animals, the law upholds God’s demand for wholehearted devotion rather than leftovers. Historically, the surrounding pagan cultures often supplied inferior offerings to placate their deities; Israel was instructed to do the opposite, proclaiming the character of the living God who is worthy of the best. In ministry today, the verse challenges believers to examine whether their worship and service are whole-hearted or compromised. Blindness as Covenant Judgment (Deuteronomy 28:28) BSB: “The LORD will afflict you with madness, blindness, and confusion of mind.” Inserted among the covenant curses, blindness represents divine retribution that affects both sight and insight. The imagery anticipates stumbling “at noon as the blind man in the darkness” (Deuteronomy 28:29). Historically, the exile era illustrated this curse when the nation’s leaders could not discern prophetic warnings (Isaiah 29:10–14). The New Testament alludes to the same principle of judicial hardening (Romans 11:8). Pastoral application warns that persistent sin dulls spiritual perception; conversely, repentance restores vision (Psalm 119:18). Blindness in Divine Warfare (Zechariah 12:4) BSB: “I will strike every horse with panic and its rider with madness; I will keep My watchful eye on the house of Judah, but I will strike all the horses of the nations with blindness.” Here blindness cripples enemy cavalry, illustrating God’s sovereign defense of Jerusalem in the last days. The term extends beyond humans to animals, underscoring total incapacitation of hostile forces. The eschatological context assures the faithful that God’s strategy can neutralize overwhelming threats without human ingenuity. Ministry implication: reliance on the Lord’s deliverance rather than military or technological prowess. Theological Significance 1. Holiness: Blind sacrifices offend the holy God who sees perfectly. Biblical Theology: From Law to Prophets to Gospel The narrative arc moves from prohibiting blemished offerings to national judgment, culminating in promised deliverance. Jesus Christ fulfills the typology by healing the blind (Matthew 11:4–5) and exposing spiritual blindness among the self-righteous (John 9). The motif climaxes in Revelation 3:17–18, where the risen Lord counsels the church to obtain “salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see,” linking Old Testament imagery to ongoing ecclesial need. Practical and Ministry Implications • Worship: Offer God unblemished service and resources. Related Concepts and Passages Physical blindness: Exodus 4:11; 2 Kings 6:18 Spiritual blindness: Isaiah 42:18–20; John 12:40; 2 Corinthians 4:4 Healing and restoration: Psalm 146:8; Mark 10:52; Acts 26:18 The three occurrences of עִוָּרוֹן thus weave a rich tapestry, warning the rebellious, encouraging the faithful, and ultimately pointing to the Messiah who grants true sight. Forms and Transliterations בַּֽעִוָּרֽוֹן׃ בעורון׃ וּבְעִוָּר֑וֹן ובעורון עַוֶּרֶת֩ עורת ‘aw·we·reṯ ‘awwereṯ avveRet ba‘iwwārōwn ba·‘iw·wā·rō·wn BaivvaRon ū·ḇə·‘iw·wā·rō·wn ūḇə‘iwwārōwn uveivvaRonLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Leviticus 22:22 HEB: עַוֶּרֶת֩ א֨וֹ שָׁב֜וּר NAS: Those [that are] blind or fractured KJV: Blind, or broken, or maimed, INT: blind or fractured Deuteronomy 28:28 Zechariah 12:4 3 Occurrences |
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