### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The word G2576 (kammýō) is derived from a compound of κατά (kata), meaning "down" or "against," and a root related to μυστήριον (mystērion), which implies something hidden or closed. The core meaning is "to shut down," specifically referring to the physical act of "closing the eyes." Semantically, while it denotes a physical action, its usage in the New Testament carries a significant metaphorical weight, implying a willful refusal to perceive or understand spiritual truth. It is not merely a natural closing of the eyes for sleep or rest, but rather a deliberate act of spiritual blindness or unresponsiveness.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term G2576 (kammýō) appears only once in the New Testament, in [[Acts 28:27]]. In this passage, Paul is quoting from [[Isaiah 6:9-10]] when addressing the Jewish leaders in Rome. The full quotation reads: "For the heart of this people has become dull, and with their ears they scarcely hear, and their eyes they have *closed*; lest perhaps they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should turn again, and I should heal them." The context in [[Acts 28:27]] is critical. Paul applies the prophecy of Isaiah to the Jewish people of his day who, despite hearing the Gospel, remained hardened and unresponsive. The "closing of the eyes" is presented as a deliberate action on their part, a willful rejection of the light and truth offered through Christ. It signifies an active choice to remain in ignorance, rather than a passive inability to see. This spiritual blindness is presented as the reason for their inability to "see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart," which would lead to repentance and healing.
### Related Words & Concepts
* πωρόω (pōroō - `{{G4456}}`): To harden, make dull, or blind. This word often appears alongside G2576 in discussions of spiritual insensitivity, as seen in the broader context of hardening of hearts or minds.
* τυφλόω (typhloō - `{{G5186}}`): To blind. While G2576 emphasizes the *act* of closing one's own eyes, G5186 can refer to being made blind, sometimes by an external agent (e.g., Satan blinding the minds of unbelievers). However, both relate to a lack of spiritual perception.
* ἀκούω (akouō - `{{G191}}`) and συνίημι (syniēmi - `{{G4920}}`): To hear and to understand. These are frequently paired with "seeing" in discussions of spiritual perception. The refusal to "close the eyes" (kammýō) is often accompanied by a refusal to hear and understand, indicating a comprehensive spiritual unresponsiveness.
* **Prophecy of Isaiah:** The use of G2576 directly links to the Septuagint translation of [[Isaiah 6:9-10]], which describes the judicial hardening of Israel due to their persistent rebellion and rejection of God's word. The Hebrew word in Isaiah is שָׁעַע (sha'a - `{{H8173}}`), meaning to smear, to shut, or to blind.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of G2576 lies in its portrayal of human responsibility in spiritual perception. While God's sovereignty is paramount, this word underscores the human element of willful rejection. The "closing of the eyes" is an active choice, not merely a passive state of ignorance. It highlights the danger of persistent unbelief. When individuals or groups repeatedly resist divine truth, they can reach a point where they actively choose to shut themselves off from further revelation, leading to a judicial hardening where understanding becomes impossible. This is a profound warning against spiritual apathy and rebellion. The passage in [[Acts 28:27]] serves as a crucial theological bridge, explaining why the Gospel, initially offered to the Jews, would subsequently be directed more broadly to the Gentiles. The "closing of eyes" by some segments of Israel ironically facilitated the expansion of God's redemptive plan to all nations.
### Summary
G2576 (kammýō) signifies the deliberate act of "closing the eyes," carrying a profound spiritual connotation of willful refusal to perceive or understand divine truth. Its sole New Testament occurrence in [[Acts 28:27]] quotes [[Isaiah 6:9-10]], applying the ancient prophecy of Israel's spiritual hardening to the Jewish leadership of Paul's day. This word underscores human responsibility in rejecting God's revelation, portraying it not as a passive inability but as an active choice to remain blind. Theologically, it illuminates the consequences of persistent unbelief, leading to judicial hardening, and provides a crucial context for understanding the shift of the Gospel's primary focus from Israel to the Gentiles. The "closed eyes" represent a profound spiritual unresponsiveness that hinders repentance and healing.
TRV